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History Tours and Tea at Sam’s Castle in Pacifica
Sat. January 27th @ 11:00am - 2:30pm
Historian Bridget Oates and other local docents take you back in time at the Mazza Castle, better known as Sam’s Castle, built in 1906.
Guests hear the many stories of this intriguing coastside haunt following the San Francisco earthquake through its years as a speakeasy, a barracks and more. Lucky guests may see one of our many ghosts – but don’t worry, they’re friendly.
After the tour, guests enjoy light refreshments with tea and coffee and an opportunity to enjoy the ambiance of the historic treasure.
Please Note:
The 1.5-hour tour is for adults only. No outside food or drink, spiked heels, or pets are permitted. The Castle is a non-smoking property.
Tour Dates and Tickets
The Sam Mazza Foundation is proud to have the castle in Pacifica as its home. Built in 1908 and owned by Sam Mazza since 1959, the castle has piqued the curiosity of generations of San Mateo County residents and beyond.
The Castle is open at various times each month.
Other Mazza Castle Events
In 1908, San Francisco rail magnate Henry Harrison McCloskey, grandfather of Congressman Pete McCloskey, modeled and built Sam’s Castle to replicate his wife Emily’s childhood home in Scotland. McCloskey erected the castle by the sea as a safe haven after his San Francisco home was severely damaged in the 1906 earthquake.
With its century-long reputation as a speakeasy, an illegal abortion clinic, a brothel and Coast Guard barracks during World War II, the castle was purchased and restored in 1959 by the late Sam Mazza who filled it with wondrous works of arts and antiques collected during his career as a theater painter/decorator for 20th Century Fox.
Sam’s Castle is occasionally open to the public for tours by the Pacifica Historical Society, courtesy of the Sam Mazza Foundation.
History
1906
The Great Earthquake hits San Francisco, which in tandem with the fire that follows, kills approximately 500 people, and renders more than 220,000 people homeless.
1907
Henry Harrison McCloskey—a San Francisco attorney for the Ocean Shore Land Company (and Railroad)— buys a plot of land on the craggy bluffs of what is now the Sharp Park district of Pacifica, California. McCloskey hires architect Charles MacDougal to design an earthquake/fire-proof home to assuage the fears of his wife Emily McCloskey.
1908
Though construction is not fully completed, the McCloskey family takes up residence in the castle.
1914
Henry McCloskey dies. Emily McCloskey remains at the castle for another year until her son Paul Norton McCloskey, Sr., finishes his studies at Stanford Law School.
1916
Emily and her son, Paul McCloskey move to a 40-acre ranch in Buttonwillow, CA and turn the keys to the castle over to Dr. Galen Richard Hickok and his wife Minerva. Dr. Hickok, a Berkeley physician, intends to use the castle as a coastal medical facility. He hires an elderly couple by the name of Miller to tend to the castle for the first few years of his ownership. He also hires Bertha Johnson as his cook. When Bertha is introduced to Mathius Anderson, the man responsible for the beautiful wood craftsmanship throughout the castle, they fall in love and marry six months later.
1920
Dr. Hickok moves some of his belongings into the castle but continues to reside in Berkeley and practice medicine in San Francisco. One day in August of 1920, the police arrive at the castle to investigate a report by Mr. Casteel that the castle was being used as “a retreat for girls and women unwilling to become mothers”. The police are greeted by Cleo Tavis, a nurse working there at the time. Police find two under-aged girls and a Bertha Casteel— all of whom are patients.
Dr. Hickock is arrested at his Berkeley home that night and charged with performing illegal abortions. At his December trial, the jury finds him guilty in seven minutes, and he is sentenced to serve five years at San Quentin prison. The castle is passed to his son, Max, who unfortunately follows closely in his father’s footsteps and winds up in San Quentin for the same offense.
1922
The castle is sold to M.L. Hewitt, and is used as a restaurant and a speakeasy named Chateau LaFayette. The castle is frequently raided during Prohibition.
1928
After changing hands a few times in as many years, the castle is acquired by Clarence (Holly) Eakin and his wife Annie. They are a pious couple and become very active in the Little Brown Church. Annie hosts Red Cross events at the castle to raise money for the war effort.
1942
The Unites States Coast Guard leases the property from the Eakins for use as a communications center and coastside barracks for “Company H”. The 17 servicemen each have their own war dog for their long coastal patrols. The dogs are housed in what is now the Talbot apartments.
1944
The Coast Guard vacates the castle, leaving quite a bit of damage behind. The Coast Guard offers to take care of all the required repairs or pay $1,000 to cover the damages. The Eakins choose to receive $1,000 because Clarence is confident he can handle the repairs on his own.
1945
Clarence Eakin dies in an automobile accident. Annie Eakin remains in the castle and is reported to have close to twenty cats living with her. She also takes in a number of boarders during this time.
1955
Annie Eakins dies and leaves the castle to her nephew Howard Johnson and his wife Martha of Nebraska. The Johnsons have no interest in relocating, so they rent the castle while seeking a buyer.
1956-59
The O’Brien family moves in, much to the delight of 8-year-old Joe, his siblings Doran and Brian, and cousin Ricky. His father, Pat, is a sculptor and his mother, Nora, is an artist. They enjoy many years in the castle with only a few ghostly visits.
1959–2002
San Francisco painting and interior decorating contractor Sam Mazza spots the castle up on the hillside while on his way to Nick’s Restaurant in Rockaway Beach. His curiosity piqued, he approaches for a closer look and finds the building surrounded by tall weeds and in need of significant repairs. Later that year, he buys the castle for about $29,000 and begins a series of much-needed repairs.
Sam never takes up residence in the castle, but spends a great deal of time there in the 43 years he owns it— building an eclectic collection of objects d’art from California and beyond. He also hosts a number of great parties, fundraisers, and community events at the castle during this time.
2002
Sam Mazza passes peacefully at his home at the age 96. Before his death, he takes steps to ensure his estate will be used to establish a charitable foundation.
2005–PRESENT
The board of directors of the Sam Mazza Foundation elects to retain the castle as the headquarters of the Sam Mazza Foundation and continue to meet there to conduct all foundation business.
More on Sam’s Castle
