Tucked in the heart of downtown Fairhope, where mossy oaks create arched canopies and the sidewalks bloom with jasmine, there’s a place that feels like it belongs in a storybook more than a small Southern town. The Fairhope Castles–yes, actual castles–stand as a testament to one family’s creativity, craftsmanship, and an unwavering belief in magic.

The Fairhope Castles began as something a bit more practical: a garage and workshop for a growing family. The work began in 1946 with Craig Sheldon: WWII veteran, carpenter, artist, and the kind of man who could see possibility in a pile of broken tile or a bent piece of metal. What started as a simple workshop grew into something far more imaginative—a stone-and-wood castle, built by hand using salvaged and found materials. 

The roof consists of a delightful patchwork of multicolored shingles, repurposed from various construction sites. Sheldon embedded memories into the very walls: iron skillets, old tools, river stones, even bits of Civil War shrapnel and a piece of the Berlin Wall. If it had a story, it had a place in the castle.

“Dad worked hard, but he always wanted to make work fun,” says Pagan Mosher, Sheldon’s daughter and the current keeper of the castles. A former professional ballet dancer with an eye for beauty and whimsy, Pagan has spent decades preserving her father’s legacy. Along with her husband, Dean Mosher—an acclaimed historical painter and sculptor—she’s continued the tradition, adding her own layers to the family-built fairytale.

And it truly is a fairytale. Walking through the property feels like stepping into a living work of art, where every wall tells a story and no corner is without character. “If you can’t hide it, feature it,” Pagan laughs—a motto that sums up the charming imperfections and delightful oddities scattered throughout the space. 

But for Pagan, the vision goes beyond the architecture. “I want these castles to represent the fairytales each individual connects with,” she says. “It’s not about replicating a fantasy—it’s about making space for your own.”

Thanks to the Mosher family, you can now live your own chapter of the story. A section of Sheldon Castle, the original structure Craig built, is available as a truly one-of-a-kind Airbnb. The guest suite—private, self-contained, and full of character—is the perfect place to slow down for a few days of rest and enchantment.

Inside, you’ll find a cozy, one-bedroom one-bathroom hideaway with a king-sized bed, walk-in shower, and a small kitchenette. Exposed wood beams and stonework lend rustic charm, while hand-selected relics and original carvings keep the space rich with history.

There’s a private courtyard for coffee or wine, and a calm, quiet energy that makes it just as suited for a romantic getaway as it is for a solo writing retreat. Just outside your window, Hendrix the Dragon rests on a turret at Mosher Castle, keeping guard over the drawbridge and moat below.

It’s not just the castle itself that makes the stay magical—it’s where it sits. From the front door, you’re just a short walk from everything Fairhope has to offer: boutique shops, locally owned cafés, bookstores, bakeries, and the breezy Fairhope Pier. You can wake up in a castle, spend your afternoon enjoying downtown, and return home to your turreted hideout—all without getting in the car.

Today, the Fairhope Castles remain in the Mosher family’s care, lovingly preserved and still growing. What Craig Sheldon began as a hands-on passion project has become a generational legacy—one that celebrates art, reuse, storytelling, and the kind of curiosity that never really grows up.

And while the space itself is unforgettable, it’s the soul of the place–the sense that you’re stepping into something built with love and imagination–that stays with you, even at the end of the fairytale.

To learn more or book a stay, visit fairhopecastle.com or view the Airbnb listing here. Whether you come for the architecture, the history, or just to indulge in a little fantasy, one thing’s for sure: Fairhope’s castles are sure to enchant and delight.