This mysterious beachfront castle has a history like no other home in Mississippi

On the corner of Elliot Avenue and Highway 90 in Pass Christian is a strange home that looks more like an abandoned medieval castle than a beachfront property.

This interesting home, known as Castle Sherman or Chateau Sherman, has long captured the attention of many Mississippi Coast residents and tourists.

What is the mansion’s story?

In 1921, James M. Sherman, a retired electrician, agriculturalist and author, relocated to the Gulf Coast and purchased the lot where the castle stands today. At the time, a large wooden cabin occupied the land and Sherman later constructed a sizable square dock just off Pass Christian’s shoreline.

Soon after, Sherman finalized plans for a more contemporary home for himself and his family. Along with his assistant, McKinley Bradley, Sherman personally poured the concrete foundation and oversaw initial construction efforts.

Despite suffering a heart attack in 1928, Sherman continued the construction of his new home. An upstairs office and a garage were incorporated into the building, while Sherman’s original plans evolved to encompass a more grandiose design.

After creating a new set of architectural blueprints, the duo began construction of a circular tower and added concrete walls that were nine inches thick. Over the years, the home looked increasingly more like a miniature fortress rather than a single-family residence.

One of Sherman’s daughters, Jane Johnson, later described the construction as “not so pretentious as a castle, but the further he got along, the bigger it became.”

Over the next decade, the castle became larger, though was still far from complete. Unfortunately, Sherman passed away in 1937, leaving the house to his widow, who failed to pay the taxes on the property.

Sherman’s other daughter, Jessie Gundlach, bought the property in 1942 and oversaw the completion of the castle in 1945. She relocated from St. Louis to Pass Christian and christened her new home as Chateau Sherman.

Gundlach, an accomplished oil painter, also established Boy Scout Troop #211, which utilized her newly finished residence as its headquarters. Throughout the years, the spare room of Chateau Sherman hosted numerous Boy Scout gatherings and activities.

Gundlach also opened her doors to hundreds of South Korean Airmen who were training alongside their American counterparts at Keesler Air Force Base. Treating them to a blend of traditional Southern cuisine and Korean dishes like Bulgogi and Kimchi, she earned the nickname “American Mom.”

When Gundlach later visited South Korea, a number of these Airmen who had been welcomed at Castle Sherman presented her with the “Wings of the Air Force” friendship medal. Chateau Sherman also came to be known as the “College of International Friendship.”

Until 1966, Chateau Sherman underwent several renovations, but retained its original architectural style.

In 1969, Hurricane Camille caused extensive damage and flooding to much of the castle’s interior. Gundlach rode out the storm inside the home and later salvaged what she could.

Following clean-up and restoration efforts, which Bradley assisted with, Gundlach installed a plaque which reads “God is my Sculptor.”

The castle grounds were opened to the public to enjoy a Garden Walk for just one weekend in 1975. During this event, Bradley was honored for his over 53 years of construction, renovation, and other assistance with the home.

After changing ownership multiple times throughout the 20th century, Chateau Sherman gradually fell into disrepair. It was later listed as element #94 in the Scenic Drive Historic District in Pass Christian.

Despite the damages caused by Hurricane Katrina, Chateau Sherman was one of the only buildings in Pass Christian left standing, thanks in large part to the original efforts of Sherman and Bradley.

The home currently appears vacant and, due to its outward appearance, gives the impression of having been abandoned. However, the current owners still maintain the property and have undertaken some minor repairs and renovations in recent years.

This story was originally published August 9, 2023 at 3:13 PM.