Secluded in the Northwoods of Oneida County...
Pete Kelley
My family's been up here since about 1890.
Angela
This dirt road takes you back to the Dark Ages.
Pete
I started in '87, and I cut in the road, and cleared the land.
Angela
And what awaits you on the other side, only one person could have imagined.
inspirational music
Pete
I made drawings for 10 years.
Angela
This do-it-yourself project is Pete Kelley's dream.
Pete
I was inspired, I guess. I spent a long time looking at things and wondering, "How would I make that?" And I just started hacking it down until I got to something that I thought I could handle.
Angela
The medieval building rises out of the forest floor, near Lake Killarney. It's a project Pete has been working on for more than 35 years.
Pete
You can tell them every dimension. You can tell them every detail, everything there is about it. But when they show up, it's always the same. "Oh, my God!"
jaunty medieval tune plays
Angela
In the Middle Ages or modern times, the dimensions are staggering.
Pete
Outside dimension is 42 by 42. about 5,000 pounds of running foot on, on the outside wall. Height is 35 feet. If it wasn't for zoning, I'd have another 10 feet on that tower.
Angela
And it's all handmade.
Pete
I like to play with steel and make things. Just fun...
Angela
Most of the fun has been Pete's. He's an electrician by trade with no architectural training. What I did have when I started was anxiety. Each year, little by little, brick by brick, this castle takes shape.
Pete
I looked at the whole project and it was overwhelming. And today, I look at what I'm going to do this year, and that's, that's all I think about. And I, I forget about the rest of it. I got the fireplace. It'll be a year by itself, maybe more, but it'll be massive.
Angela
When you reach the very top, past the great room, up three flights of stairs, you've arrived at the keep.
Pete
In the castle world, that's like the last defense. Kelley Arms castle is a tribute to Pete's Irish heritage and towers over the landscape with its corners fortified by turrets. From the base of the flag to the bottom of the base is 19 feet. Tedious little project.
Angela
Built from Wisconsin red granite, the bricks are reclaimed tombstone scrap. and the castle is only about 75% complete.
Pete
There's a lot to be done. On the outside, probably 25% of the stonework.
Angela
The only access to the castle is on foot. So, Pete hauls everything across this narrow bridge one load at a time in the summer.
Pete
I'll make a bill of material in the fall and get those things across.
Angela
In the winter, he can drive across the icy moat.
Pete
People always asking when you're gonna get done. And I had said, "It's like being a farmer. It's not something that you ever finish."
Angela
For Pete, it's all about the journey.
Pete
Well, yeah, it doesn't end. I get tired. I would compare it to, oh, maybe a person who plays sports. And at the end of the season, they're so ready for a break. But when the next year comes around, you're ready to get at it. I've had several people that have talked about building a castle, and I've said, "Don't build a castle because you want one. "You better enjoy building it. That's gonna be your life." I don't have regret.
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