In the early 1900s, Henry Mercer acquired about 70 acres of land in Doylestown, Bucks County, PA.  Adding onto a small farmhouse, Mercer constructed a reinforced concrete castle home that welcomes guests today.

Funded by a wealthy Aunt, Mercer was well-educated, traveled extensively, and had many interests.  Essentially becoming a jack of all trades, Mercer graduated with liberal arts and law degrees, worked for museums, opened a tile and pottery shop, published books on various topics, and became an amateur archaeologist.  Mercer secured cuneiform tablets inside the castle into one of his rooms with translations of their subject matter.  Fascinated with how everyday people lived a common life thousands of years ago, the tablets are receipts of bartering goods and services.  Mercer also had an impressive collection of books that he cataloged in his two-level library, accessible via a secret staircase.

Throughout the entire castle, tiles decorate every surface depicting scenes from around the world.  His tiles were also used on the Pennsylvania State Capitol building floor in Harrisburg, PA.  Influenced by other cultures, his tiles feature varied colors, textures, styles, and images.

The Springhouse is a small structure just to the side of the castle.  As the name depicts, this structure covers a natural spring that was used to keep perishable food cool before refrigeration.  This spring also led to the castle’s name as “font” meant fountain or spring, and “hill” refers to the hill where the castle sits. 

The area surrounding Fonthill Castle is also beautiful.  Take the time to walk the grounds, see all the other noteworthy locations you’ll find on the map, and visit the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works afterward.  You can purchase beautiful tiles from the giftshop or have some original designs recreated for you.