William Gillette (1853–1937), an American actor, had this house built as his residence, where both the exterior and interior compete for originality.Gillette’s personality is as unique and striking as his castle.His passion for acting and for trains is clearly reflected in the house’s details: rooms with secret entrances, switches designed like train levers, and door locks that work more like the locking mechanisms of a safe.The staircase was specially designed to allow him to make a dramatic entrance into the living room, where his guests would be waiting.And throughout the property, there was a private railway line — with none other than William Gillette himself as the train’s engineer.As an actor, he became best known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, and he is credited with popularizing the expression “Elementary, my dear Watson,” as well as the iconic deerstalker hat.It’s also said that while his castle was being built, Gillette lived on a boat on the Connecticut River, from where he could watch the progress of the construction.

Gillette Castel. Connecticut, EUA

O Mundo Singular de William Gillette: Um Castelo Cheio de Segredos e Comboios

William Gillette (1853-1937), actor americano, mandou construir, para sua residência,  esta casa, onde o exterior e interior competem pela originalidade.

A personalidade de Gillette é tão singular e marcante como o seu castelo. A sua paixão pela arte de representar e pelos comboios, estão bem presentes nos detalhes da casa: quartos com entradas secretas, interruptores semelhantes a alavancas de comboios e trancas de portas que mais parecem, pela forma como funcionam, trancas de um cofre.  A escada foi pensada para lhe permitir uma entrada dramática na sala, onde estariam as visitas à espera. E ao longo da propriedade havia uma linha de comboio sendo o maquinista, nem mais, nem menos que o próprio William Gillette.

Enquanto actor ficou mais conhecido pelo seu papel como Sherlock Holmes, sendo-lhe atribuídas a expressão “Elementar, meu caro Watson” e a escolha do característico chapéu.

Conta-se também, que enquanto o seu castelo estava a ser construído, Gillette morou num barco, no Connecticut River, de onde podia observar o desenvolvimento da obra.