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All the United States New Jersey Hamburg The Gingerbread Castle

The Gingerbread Castle

Once in a state of dilapidation, this candy-inspired fortress is now being revived.

Hamburg, New Jersey

Added By
Amanda Petrozzini
Email
Been Here
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Added to list
  Gin Minsky
  Gin Minsky
  Gin Minsky
  Gin Minsky
The Castle is slowly being restored to match its former glory.   danschenker / Atlas Obscura User
  DrArchaea / Atlas Obscura User
  johnnyninty9 / Atlas Obscura User
  johnnyninty9 / Atlas Obscura User
  Gin Minsky
In all of its glory   Gen / Atlas Obscura User
Abandoned factory next door   Gen / Atlas Obscura User
The deteriorating state of the castle   Gen / Atlas Obscura User
Frog statue   Gen / Atlas Obscura User
View from the pond in front   Gen / Atlas Obscura User
The back of the castle   Gen / Atlas Obscura User
You can turn into the driveway area. It’s a minute down the road in a quiet industrial parkish place.   bonniekaprat / Atlas Obscura User
The view from next door   morganderson4 / Atlas Obscura User
  Gin Minsky
Gingerbread Castle interior detail, 2006   Amanda Petrozzini
Gingerbread Castle   Amanda Petrozzini
Pretty cool site to visit but, its fenced off and has posted signs not to enter, really wanted to look inside.   jediaz78 / Atlas Obscura User
  jediaz78 / Atlas Obscura User
  Antahny / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The once candy-coated dreams of a small New Jersey amusement park can still be seen in the ruins of this fantastical fantasy castle. 

The Gingerbread Castle was originally a fairy tale-themed amusement park located in Hamburg, New Jersey. The castle was designed in 1928 by the Austrian architect and set designer Joseph Urban. It was commissioned by F.H. Bennett, who was the owner of F.H. Bennett Biscuit Company in New York City. Bennett bought the New Jersey property in 1921 to expand his operations and open the Wheatsworth Mills.

Bennett was inspired to create his version of a fairy tale castle on the property after seeing Urban's set design work at a performance of Hansel and Gretel at the Metropolitan Opera. In addition to this, Bennett drew a lot of his inspiration for the castle from his fond childhood memories of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales.

The castle opened in 1930 and quickly became a popular tourist destination. Unfortunately, by the early 1980s, the castle began its decline from a beloved amusement park to a decrepit castle. Throughout the years, the castle and its surrounding property have gone through many transformations, including being a nightclub and at another point a haunted house.

In 2004, New Jersey resident Frank Hinger purchased the property and began to restore the castle with assistance from grants, fundraisers, and loyal fans of the castle. Despite his noble efforts, the property became too expensive for him to fully revitalize. A real estate developer bought the property, including the castle and the former Wheatsworth Mills factory. The developer made promises to continue with the restoration efforts, but so far nothing has been done. The castle is decaying and falling into a severe state of disrepair. The property is currently fenced off, but it can still be seen from the road. It is worth the trip just to see it and imagine what it once was.

Update 2017: The woman who currently owns it does not like visitors. 

Update December 2018:  There's a new owner as of August 2018 who is doing a full restoration of the castle (to be opened late 2019). Police are heavily guarding the castle. 

Update April 2019: Don Oriolo now owns the castle and is fully restoring the castle (to be opened in late 2019). Police patrol regularly.

Related Tags

Castles Abandoned Amusement Parks Abandoned Amusement Parks Ruins Fairytales

Know Before You Go

Police patrol the road, with restoration underway they do not sit in the parking lot. Alarms are set on the castle, and security cameras and tracking systems are active on the premises. The road does have fast traffic and a blind spot coming from the main road. Do not enter the castle, stay five feet away from the fence. Park at your own risk.

Community Contributors

Added By

Amanda Petrozzini

Edited By

PrestonW, coylelighting, Gen, abandonednj...

  • PrestonW
  • coylelighting
  • Gen
  • abandonednj
  • sharahw82
  • ReiAndLeeAdventures
  • Gin Minsky
  • morganderson4
  • bonniekaprat
  • jediaz78
  • DrArchaea
  • danschenker
  • johnnyninty9
  • Antahny

Published

December 5, 2014

Edit this listing

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Sources
  • https://www.nj.com/news/2023/12/renovation-of-old-gingerbread-castle-imperiled-by-demolition-next-door-owner-says.html
  • https://www.locallivingnj.com/post/the-rise-fall-and-revival-of-new-jersey-s-gingerbread-castle?srsltid=AfmBOorYUxtov49MoxmxO3avIkIx5OPuISQkLt-AWhliaKMmM-dQNRpU
  • www.thegingerbreadcastle.com
  • www.dupontcastle.com/castles/gingerbr.htm
  • http://gingerbreadcastlelibrary.com
  • http://minskysabandoned.com/2015/09/24/the-gingerbread-castle/
The Gingerbread Castle
23 Gingerbread Castle Rd
Hamburg, New Jersey, 07419
United States
41.149394, -74.574778
Get Directions

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Photo of Hamburg

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Places 3

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