The Mystery of Fingal Castle: Berks County’s Forgotten Estate

adamzurn

1 year ago

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In February 2023, Alex Bostelle contacted me with an intriguing inquiry about the “mysterious Fingal Castle.” He said that, according to local lore, the structure was believed to have been built by French immigrants in the early 1700s and to have stood about a mile northwest of Morgantown, Pennsylvania. Alex wondered if I had any knowledge of its history or existence.

Although I hadn’t heard of it before, the mystery piqued my curiosity, and I was eager to learn more. Here’s what my research uncovered.

*Fingal Castle on a 1854 Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania.*

Fingal Castle: A Mystery Lost in Time

Berks County, Pennsylvania, was established on March 11, 1752, and named after Berkshire, England. Formed from portions of Chester, Lancaster, and Philadelphia counties, its creation coincided with a period of rapid settlement in the region. The area’s fertile soil and abundant natural resources attracted a wave of German, English, and Swiss immigrants, necessitating the formation of a new county to manage the growing population. As part of this effort, officials began cataloging properties for taxation. It was during this process that Fingal Castle first appeared in official records. By then, however, the enigmatic Lord of Fingal Castle had already disappeared, leaving behind a legacy shrouded in mystery that continues to intrigue generations.

According to C. Z. Mast’s Annals of the Conestoga Valley in Lancaster, Berks, and Chester counties, Pennsylvania, published in 1942, a French aristocrat arrived in the area prior to 1752, seeking refuge from political turmoil. With an entourage of servants, he erected a large log dwelling, which was soon expanded with substantial stone additions on either side.

An early newspaper article from 1934 says the castle’s owner fled France after the historic meeting of nobles on August 7, 1789, when the Revolution was on the brink of exploding. During this meeting, many nobles voted to suppress feudal privileges, ending serfdom and fiscal exemptions. Those unwilling to relinquish their power and status, including the master of Fingal Castle, fled the country to avoid revolutionary reprisals.

Over time, the estate evolved into an elaborate plantation on land once known as the Fingal Fields. It featured a fishpond, a half-mile racetrack, and other luxuries rarely found in the rugged Pennsylvania wilderness of the era. The estate thrived with activity, showcasing fine horses galloping on its racetrack, cattle grazing in its pastures, and extensive farming operations that were remarkable for the time. Nearly 275 years ago, it must have been a striking sight—a stronghold perched atop “Fowl’s Hill,” a prominent bluff offering commanding views of the upper Conestoga Valley and the distant Welsh Mountains.

*1854 Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania.*

Then, as suddenly as he had appeared, the nobleman vanished. According to reports, a messenger arrived in great haste with news of political upheaval in France. Shortly thereafter, the lord and his staff departed, leaving the grand estate to fall into ruin. The once-thriving fields grew wild, the fishpond dried up, and the forest slowly reclaimed the land. The castle, once a commanding feature of the landscape, was abandoned.

Despite its decline, portions of the stone structure endured for decades, reportedly standing well beyond the Civil War. For a time, these ruins were even inhabited. George Lyman Beam (1874–1957) recalled a boyhood friend who, along with his single mother, lived in the castle’s ruins. George was particularly fascinated by the impressive, oversized doors and remembered locals pronouncing the name “Fingal” as feen-ga—a detail that may corroborate its French origins. Later, the ruins also provided shelter to the four Wertz sisters and Bill Rodgers. Some of the Fingal Castle’s cottages were still in use until the 1930s.

By 1942, Mast reported that little remained to indicate the former site of Fingal Castle. Historical maps place it near the western edge of Caernarvon Township, not far from the Lancaster County line, but the area’s dense bramble, wild grapevines, and trees make the exact location difficult to identify. According to Mast, the most reliable clue is a small stream leading to the ruins. A 1934 Sunday News article provides additional clues, stating that vast quantities of irises, known as the lily of France, once planted in orderly rows in extensive gardens, still bloom each spring, marking the location of the lost castle. Built primarily of logs, the castle itself has long since vanished. Its immense stone chimney, once a prominent feature, has collapsed, with the scattered stones now concealed beneath moss and fallen leaves.

The site of Fingal Castle and its surrounding lands later became part of the extensive holdings of Joanna Furnace, an important hub of early American iron production. Over time, the landscape transformed, and with the construction of Interstate 176, the property was ultimately bisected, further altering the historical site’s character and accessibility.

The 1934 Sunday News article said a few old French coins and a handful of brass buttons bearing an unknown insignia were discovered in the ruins of Fingal Castle, hinting at the identity of the aristocrat who once resided there.

*1862 township map of Berks County, Pennsylvania.*

A Prince or a Finfrock?

While legend claims the castle was built by a French aristocrat of royal blood, the name “Fingal,” meaning “foreign tribe,” hints at possible Irish origins. Adding to the mystery, a 1750s map identifies the property owner as Peter Fingual Finfrock. The surname “Finfrock” was common among German-descended residents of the area and translates to “owner of five coats” (from the German words fünf for five and rock for coat or skirt), perhaps symbolizing wealth or status. Whether the castle was truly built by a French noble or a prosperous local settler remains unclear.

Lost but Not Forgotten

The mystery of Fingal Castle endures. Was the French prince called back to reclaim his titles? Did political winds shift, compelling him to leave everything behind? No one knows for sure. While some speculate that evidence may lie buried in the ruins, none has yet been found. The castle’s story remains shrouded in legend, offering fertile ground for the imagination and inspiration for historical fiction.

Possible Location

The approximate location of Fingal Castle is marked below, determined by overlaying mid-1800s maps onto modern Google Maps for accuracy. The GPS coordinates are 40.190139, -75.931833. Be on the lookout for irises, old French coins, and buttons. Visitors are reminded to respect private property if exploring the area.

Approximately 1,350 feet away—likely within the margin of error—lies an intriguing area in State Game Lands 52, though situated in Brecknock Township rather than Caernarvon Township. This site features several curious formations that may warrant further exploration, including the largest mound, which spans nearly 100 feet in diameter. For those interested in investigating, the mound can be located at the following GPS coordinates: 40.19226, -75.93568. Who’s up for an expedition?