George Joslyn grew up in Vermont, but in his 20’s headed west… and got a job with a printing firm in Des Moines. A year later, in 1890, he volunteered to open a branch in Omaha. He started buying stock in the company, and by 1896 he owned the company. In those days there were hundreds of small towns that were starved for news, and he filled that need by printing a full sheet of news, and shipping it to printers in those small towns. They could then print on the other side of the paper, and call it their own newspaper. He shipped this “Ready Print” to as many as 7,500 towns! Soon he was not only selling news, but the paper to print it on. And yes, he made plenty of money.
So he decided that a man of his stature should have a grand, distinctive home. He bought land outside of Omaha, and proceeded to build on an amazing scale. First he built the carriage house, which in itself looked like a castle. The Omaha citizens must have wondered: “If the carriage house is this grand, what can the manor house be like?”
They didn’t have to wonder too long, because the home was built in about a year and a half. Total cost was $250,000… equivalent to about 9 million dollars today. They called the house “Lynhurst,” but nobody else did… it was just called the Joslyn Castle. The Castle is a masterpiece of Scottish Baronial style, with 35 rooms and a bit over 19,000 square feet.
When entering the mansion, you first pass through a heavy metal outer door… It was opened for us, so I didn’t realize how massive it really was. They asked us to guess how much it weighs… I foolishly guessed two hundred and some pounds… It actually weighs 1,200 pounds!
In the entry foyer there are mosaics, featuring a Scottish Thistle motif. Thistles are found in the carving and stained glass throughout the home. I knew Scotland favors thistles in its artwork, but never knew the story behind it. Our guide said in long-ago Scotland, all those living in grand castles were always in fear of rebels storming the castle. They would surround their estates with thistles – This would weaken and slow down any attackers, and give the castle occupants more time to prepare a defense. Scotland felt the noble thistle was a life-saver, and is therefore revered.
Once inside the house, you see the fabulous grand staircase. The woodworking is stunning! Just beyond the windows, you can see into the conservatory, where they would grow hundreds of varieties of Orchids and more.
Below is a picture of George Joslyn:
George was accustomed to getting what he wanted. In the picture below, you see what looks like a balcony to the left of the stairs. That was where the original wall of the house was located. But George attended the Pan American Exposition of 1902, and saw an organ that he decided he must have. So he wanted to add this music room. His wife, Sarah, had liked the view from the window where that balcony is now, but he had to have his music room. He sunk the room a full story lower, so the roof wouldn’t get in the way of upper floor windows. And he commissioned a stained glass window to replace his wife’s favorite view.
Below you see the music room as it is now, with a big TV in front of where the organ console would have been. There are hundreds of pipes behind all the lattice work. And you can see the stained glass work that was supposed to replace Sarah’s view.
For entertaining purposes, there were men’s and women’s restrooms on the main floor. The men’s room has this interesting little tub just inside the door… for feet? washing muddy shoes? maybe umbrellas? It was the water bowl for their precious little dog!
The dining room was suitably elegant. Sarah Joslyn saw this table on one of their journeys, and not only brought it back with her, but told the architect to design the dining room around it, and make the wood all match.
The beautiful mural painted around the edge of the ceiling was wallpapered over after the family passed on and left the mansion to the state. It has been recreated as the Castle Trust is restoring the home.
As you proceed up the grand staircase, you pass the curved glass, with more Scottish Thistles displayed. The landing in the center was called the Piper’s landing, because the musicians could be placed there and heard throughout the house.
The second floor has not yet been restored to its former glory, but I did see this rather elegant chair in a corner room.
The ladies’ restroom features some huge pedestal sinks.
From the second floor you get a good view of the carriage house. In the old pictures, you can see that the arched main doorway originally featured a heavy oak door.
The information on the Castle tells this story: On Easter Sunday morning, March 23, 1913, Mrs. Joslyn took her friends to the green house to view her orchid collection. That afternoon, one of the city’s worst tornados destroyed the greenhouse, much of the Castle grounds, and a wide swath of Omaha. While the orchids survived the tornado itself, a hard freeze followed on the heels of the tornado, destroying the collection.
Below you can see the remains of the greenhouse:
George took the devastation pretty hard. He was ready to walk off and leave the whole place, but his adopted daughter, Violet, had her heart set on being married in the house. Mr. Joslyn rebuilt the greenhouse as a much smaller conservatory alongside the mansion. He actually died about 3 years later, in his 60’s. Sarah lived on in the castle, dyeing in 1940 at age 88.
Today the house is in the care of the Joslyn Castle Trust, and they are working hard to preserve the magnificent mansion. The most pressing need right now is the conservatory, which is falling apart and has the potential to tear the castle wall down with it. If you feel like donating to the cause, feel free! Or just buy a ticket and take the tour!
A final shot of the carriage house…
