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Oates Bridget
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Sam's Castle (Images of America) Kindle Edition

by Bridget Oates (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 8 ratings
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With romance, elegant parties, and dashing, uniformed gentlemen, this charming castle story is almost what one might expect. But add in dramatic police raids and rumors of bodies buried in the garden, and it becomes the very unique tale of Sam�s Castle. Built in 1908 as a haven for the earthquake-rattled Henry Harrison McCloskey (grandfather of former congressman Pete McCloskey), the castle served as a home, speakeasy, rum-runner signaling station, abortion clinic, and U.S. Coast Guard lookout during World War II. Despite its turbulent history, however, this castle story has a happy ending. In the care of the Sam Mazza Foundation, the magnificent estate will remain a treasured Pacifica landmark for all to enjoy.
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  1. Print length
    131 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Arcadia Publishing
  5. Publication date
    April 25, 2011
  6. File size
    36234 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bridget Oates is a professional writer with a passion for history. Shortly after moving to Pacifica, she became captivated by the castle and knew this fascinating story had to be told. Working closely with the Sam Mazza Foundation, the McCloskey family, the Pacifica Tribune, the Pacifica Historical Society, and countless locals, this intriguing tale now comes to life through nearly 200 historical photographs.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0099UH93S
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Arcadia Publishing (April 25, 2011)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 25, 2011
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 36234 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 131 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 8 ratings

About the author

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Oates Bridget

Oates Bridget

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Customer reviews

5 out of 5 stars
8 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great overview of Sam's Castle from beginning to the present day
Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2014
Verified Purchase
Read this for the entire history of Sam's Castle in preparation for a visit I did there in early September. This was a great overview of the major events/eras of the people who lived in and visited Sam's Castle. The photos are very nice, as they always are in something published by Arcadia. Reading Sam's Castle made me want to know more about the region, and that's a sign of a good book, when it spurs me to expand my initial interest.

I also had the chance to meet Bridget Oates. She is a very nice person. Congratulations, Bridget, on putting together such a great book! I look forward to reading your future works.
3 people found this helpful
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June Ahern
5.0 out of 5 stars THE FEEL OF HISTORY
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2024
Author Bridget Oates' book filled with history of a most beautiful, building filled with incredible antiques and to boot - often salacious history - is a must to get the full flavor of a space that transcends time. I started it after a visit and read to the wee hours of the morning. I just couldn't put it down. Ms. Oates lays it out with facts, and photos in an enjoyable reading way. She's done an excellent job that entices the reader to take a step back in time and enjoy the many characters' stories that lived in this unique place. The photos are in black and white depicting photography of the eras. But if you visit the richness of color, deep dark wood, lively colored antiques, soft lighting - all brings the sparkle of life then alive! I hope anyone reading this will be in preparation to visit Pacifica's historical castle - the home to many different residents. Is it haunting by some of them? Visit and you will experience if that is a possibility.
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Carolyn Lamb
5.0 out of 5 stars Great value for a hard back version.
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2019
Verified Purchase
I visited the Castle & took my book with me. The director had never seen a hard copy version before.
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Bluntside Chic
5.0 out of 5 stars Hidden Gems in the Bay Area: Short & Sweet
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2011
As I've gotten a little older (older than 25 is all I'll say) and more settled, I've been interested in the history of San Francisco and surrounding areas. After being in the Bay Area for over 10 years, I thought I heard all the tales of the quirkiness of the area, but I was wrong. Bridget Oates' Sam's Castle is wonderful read full of the back story of this curious place (that you can rent for special events now, apparently). It makes you want to immediately hop in a car and drive to the place.

If you're a fan of folklore and of understanding 'what's the story of that place up there', get this book. Bridget's writing takes you through time so seamlessly you can smell the Pacific Ocean in Pacifica where Sam's Castle is. It's a quick read, perfect for a day at the park or lazy Sunday.

The pictures feel authentic (not sure if you can find them anywhere else but in this book) and the level of research that must have gone into this book is apparent by the fluidity of the author's description of the times. It really feels like you're a voyager on a journey back in time.

I wish there was a book about more hidden gems in San Francisco written as well as this one.
5 people found this helpful
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Deborah Hagler Wong
5.0 out of 5 stars Explains the Mystery of a Childhood Curiosity
Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2011
Growing up in Pacifica, this mysterious fortress loomed on the horizon - what was the story there? We could see it from the highway, and later when I attended Oceana H.S., I would often hike up the hill during my lunch hour, and peek through the gates of the Castle. I saw enough to be tantalized - statues, glimpses of chandeliers, etc., but never received any definitive answers about its history, as the castle was uninhabited during that time (late 1960s-70s). "Sam's Castle" finally explains so much about "our" castle, and the stories are as wild as I thought they would be. I expected the rum-running and the parties (these had often been reported in our local paper, the Pacifica Tribune, and before that, the News-Call Bulletin). However, there were other surprises that I won't go into, in case you want to read it for yourself. Bridget Oates weaves the story seamlessly, with clear and detailed photos; there were many "Aha!" moments for me. I think that the book will interest anyone who enjoys mysteries and unique Americana, like Sam's Castle.
3 people found this helpful
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History Fan
5.0 out of 5 stars Page turner
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2011
I cracked the cover upon take off from Minneapolis and sadly finished Sam's Castle over the Colorado Rockies en route to Seattle. The book left me with a feeling that I had just attended one of Sam Mazza's infamous parties! It was a privilege to have entree to such an exciting piece of history wonderfully captured in this book. I found myself turning the pages faster and faster which is rare in nonfiction. Thank you to the author for uncovering such an intriguing story. If only the walls of the castle would talk and tell us more about those rumrunners, ghosts, and the creepy Dr. Hickok!
4 people found this helpful
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