This miniature, medieval-looking stone castle is located within a small park in the Sullivan County hamlet of Swan Lake. In the 1930s, at the request of Siegel family, the owners of the former Commodore Hotel, the sculpture was constructed by Joe “JoJo” Moshini, an Italian immigrant and master mason. Moshini had arrived at Swan Lake around 1928 and quickly gained a reputation for his fine masonry work.

The sculpture featured the castle standing tall on a stone pedestal, a surrounding fountain and, at night, it was well lighted by lamps. Surrounding the castle was a beautiful flower garden. Moshini was also known for his other local masonry work including several other stone castles, stone pillars, stone steps and stone walls. The Commodore Hotel as well as the adjacent Stevensville Hotel were popular resort destinations. 

In 2013, long after the decline of Catskills tourism and the 1979 razing of the Commodore Hotel, the castle was rediscovered after years of neglect and restored by local volunteers, who now also maintain the small park. The castle serves as a lasting testament to the craftsmanship of Joe Moshini and to the memory of the once great resorts that dotted the Sullivan County landscape.

Stone CastleSwan Lake, Sullivan County

The miniature, medieval-looking stone castle is located within a small park in the Sullivan County hamlet of Swan Lake. In the 1930s, at the request of Siegel family, the owners of the former Commodore Hotel, the sculpture was constructed by Joe “JoJo” Moshini, an Italian immigrant and master mason. It featured the castle standing tall on a stone pedestal, a surrounding fountain and at night was well lighted by lamps. Moshini was also known for his other local masonry work including several other stone castles, stone pillars, stone steps and stone walls. The Commodore Hotel as well as the adjacent Stevensville Hotel were popular resort destinations.

In 2013, long after the decline of Catskills tourism and the 1979 razing of the Commodore Hotel, the castle was rediscovered after years of neglect and restored by local volunteers, who now also maintain the small park. The castle serves as a lasting testament to the craftsmanship of Joe Moshini and to the memory of the once great resorts that dotted the Sullivan County landscape.

The Work of MoshiniSwan Lake, Sullivan County

The miniature, medieval-looking stone castle is located within a small park in the Sullivan County hamlet of Swan Lake. In the 1930s, at the request of Siegel family, the owners of the former Commodore Hotel, the sculpture was constructed by Joe “JoJo” Moshini, an Italian immigrant and master mason. It featured the castle standing tall on a stone pedestal, a surrounding fountain and at night was well lighted by lamps. Moshini was also known for his other local masonry work including several other stone castles, stone pillars, stone steps and stone walls. The Commodore Hotel as well as the adjacent Stevensville Hotel were popular resort destinations.

In 2013, long after the decline of Catskills tourism and the 1979 razing of the Commodore Hotel, the castle was rediscovered after years of neglect and restored by local volunteers, who now also maintain the small park. The castle serves as a lasting testament to the craftsmanship of Joe Moshini and to the memory of the once great resorts that dotted the Sullivan County landscape.

JoJo's MasterpieceSwan Lake, Sullivan County

The miniature, medieval-looking stone castle is located within a small park in the Sullivan County hamlet of Swan Lake. In the 1930s, at the request of Siegel family, the owners of the former Commodore Hotel, the sculpture was constructed by Joe “JoJo” Moshini, an Italian immigrant and master mason. It featured the castle standing tall on a stone pedestal, a surrounding fountain and at night was well lighted by lamps. Moshini was also known for his other local masonry work including several other stone castles, stone pillars, stone steps and stone walls. The Commodore Hotel as well as the adjacent Stevensville Hotel were popular resort destinations.

In 2013, long after the decline of Catskills tourism and the 1979 razing of the Commodore Hotel, the castle was rediscovered after years of neglect and restored by local volunteers, who now also maintain the small park. The castle serves as a lasting testament to the craftsmanship of Joe Moshini and to the memory of the once great resorts that dotted the Sullivan County landscape.

The Commodore FountainSwan Lake, Sullivan County

The miniature, medieval-looking stone castle is located within a small park in the Sullivan County hamlet of Swan Lake. In the 1930s, at the request of Siegel family, the owners of the former Commodore Hotel, the sculpture was constructed by Joe “JoJo” Moshini, an Italian immigrant and master mason. It featured the castle standing tall on a stone pedestal, a surrounding fountain and at night was well lighted by lamps. Moshini was also known for his other local masonry work including several other stone castles, stone pillars, stone steps and stone walls. The Commodore Hotel as well as the adjacent Stevensville Hotel were popular resort destinations.

In 2013, long after the decline of Catskills tourism and the 1979 razing of the Commodore Hotel, the castle was rediscovered after years of neglect and restored by local volunteers, who now also maintain the small park. The castle serves as a lasting testament to the craftsmanship of Joe Moshini and to the memory of the once great resorts that dotted the Sullivan County landscape.