Traveling with Willadean

If you traveled the Highway 65 coming from Sedalia, and you've probably saw a beautiful Castle on the Hill, Bothwell Lodge. As a young teenager I would look up on the hill and think what a beautiful house, and wondered who lived there. Now you can explore this 31 room  lodge with 12,000 square feet, and it's built on top of 2 natural caves.

Bothwell Lodge was built by a Sedalia lawyer and politican John Henry Bothwell. Bothwell had married his business partner's sister.  Two years after they were married, she died after having given birth to their stillborn child.  Bothwell never got over losing his wife and child. He never remarried.  There are 10 bedrooms in the house and often on weekend and holidays they were filled with friends and relatives. At his death at the age of 80, in 1929, he left the lodge to 38 friends and relatives, as the Bothwell Lodge Club, they used it until 1969,  but his will stipulated when the number fell below 5, that it would be donated to the State for charitable and educational purposes.

As you visit the Lodge you will find it looks like a gentleman's hunting lodge, and has a sailfish hanging in the dining room.  Mr. Bothwell loved to collect books and had over a 1,000.  When someone wanted to read a book in Mr. Bothwell's library they would need to wash their hands so they wouldn't soil the pages. Bothwell's private library is a favorite among visitors with its fine woodwork, cozy fireplace, inspiring view of the valley and Bothwell's extensive collection of books, including many first-edition books from the 1870s and 1880s.

Built out of native rock from the estate grounds, the lodge was constructed over three natural caves and is an example of the Arts and Crafts style of the early 20th century. In the tower section, a workshop houses the man-made opening to a cave below. This shaft links the cave to a stairwell that goes up through the house. Some rooms have windows and doors that open to the stairwell to draw cool cave air into the house. Each phase of construction exhibits differing details, such as window styles, trim and light fixtures. As you explore the tower, you can look out over the bluff for a beautiful view of the valley below.

Bothwell's simple furnishings, most of which remain in the lodge today, created an informal atmosphere that reflected his intentions to use the house as a recreational retreat for his friends. Bothwell enjoyed entertaining guests at Stonyridge Farm, which is evident from detailed, noted guest books that remain in the house.

The lodge features hardwood floors throughout that wind through French doors, up several staircases and lead to 10 bedrooms and numerous other rooms. Passageways link different rooms and makes it a unique structure. In the music room, Bothwell's guests could play the piano or have a separate player unit do it for them.

Several outbuildings surround the castlelike house. A garage, built in 1917 to house Bothwell's Chandler Roadster, was expanded in 1928 to hold four cars and a loft was added as sleeping quarters for chauffeurs. Bothwell's favorite cousin, who was a frequent visitor to Stonyridge, used the bungalow-style Cliff House, built in 1928. A farmhouse, completed a few years after Bothwell's death, was used as a caretaker's cottage during the Bothwell Lodge Club days.

Bothwell was innovative, the cellar had a bank of batteries and a generator for electricity.  He tried to provide air conditioning by venting cool air up through the stairways from the caves the house was built on. Mr. Bothwell had a ladder that lead from his private office to the roof of the castle turret, where he could enjoy the view of the valley below.

Personal items are scattered throughout the house, his straw hat rests on his battered suitcase. Suspenders, a starched collar and shirt sit atop his bedroom chest. There is a pair of  lady's nylon stockings hanging to dry in the bathroom............ Now.........I wonder who's those are????  Does anyone know???  If you do please let me know. :-)

Today, visitors can tour Bothwell's lodge and enjoy the natural beauty of Stonyridge Farm while hiking Stonyridge Trail. A picnic area, complete with picnic tables, a shelter and playground equipment, provides the perfect location for a quiet picnic lunch, you might just sit and dream that Mr. Bothwell has invited you to his Lodge for the day.

If you're wanting something to do for a day.  This is a great outing.  You now know the history of this wonderful old Castle on the Hill. Go visit it and enjoy!!! You'll be glad you did.