Northmoor Castle

 As I often do when we are driving in unfamiliar places with many major roads, I put the final coordinates for a nearby geocache to get us headed in the correct direction and on the right road. When I looked at the geocaching map on Sunday morning, I saw a geocache with over 700 favorite points. It was nearby, in the correct direction, and just off the correct road. Hubby agreed it was worth the stop.

When I looked at the geocaching description, I knew of this place. It was once featured as the Geocache of the Week on July 30, 2014.

Castle Northmoor was built by Harlan Shaver in 1981-1983. He built the one-man castle in the front yard of his home. (I do not know who is currently living at the residence, but they are gracious enough to allow strangers to come to the tower and 'snoop around' while looking for the geocache.)

from our parking spot, we did not see the circular 

staircase for climbing in the tower

The stone tower is 40-feet tall and features handmade oak doors and oil portraits Shaver painted of medieval knights. (After 40 years, some of the original items on and in the tower are no longer there.)

We walked down the steps and began climbing the circular staircase, which had a very secure and sturdy handrail.

the door was open to level 2

The walls, floor and window sills held an assortment of medieval-themed items from weapons and armor, to furniture and statues.

door to level 3 was closed, but not secured

a telescope for stargazing

helmets above the windows

window sill decor

We climbed the steps to the very top to find this often used gathering space.

a knight guarding the location of the geocache

complete with cannon and cannon balls

and finally, the treasure

a ammo container with the geocaching logbook

Harlan Shaver, a decorated Vietnam Veteran, passed away in February 2024 at the age of 75. This is from his obituary: He was a long-time resident of Northmoor, MO where he was the mayor for 20 years.  Harlan was well known for his beautiful Masonry work where he built many stone entryways and monuments in the Metro area.  Something he took pride in. 

This is just ONE of the many things I love and enjoy about geocaching: the unique and unexpected places and things we see.