The Castle of Heron Bay

Posted: 03.14.2025 | Updated: 03.14.2025

The castle on the shore of Lake Worth along Heron Drive goes by many names. Depending on who you’re talking to, you may have heard it called Whiting Castle, Inverness, or the Castle of Heron Bay. These names have come and gone over the years, but this strange 6,000-square-foot castle remains unchanged.

Lake Worth Castle exists today in a derelict state. Abandoned to the elements, it slowly crumbles, awaiting a much-needed renovation. Its plea for attention seems to have gone unanswered — but perhaps its undead residents prefer it this way. 

Read on to learn of this Texas castle’s strange and lengthy history and its ghostly inhabitants who refuse to leave.

Are you looking to experience even more of the Lone Star State’s bizarre and spooky tales? Book a tour with Dallas Terrors to embark on one of our haunting Dallas ghost tours.

Why Is The Lake Worth Castle Haunted? 

Lake Worth Castle has seen many occupants over the years, some of whom have apparently never left. The sweeping property is said to be haunted by a bride from the 1800s whose body was found floating in the lake. And yet, she is not the only spirit sighted on these grounds.

The son of the family responsible for building this massive structure is said to have committed suicide within the mansion, leaving the Whiting Castle on Lake Worth doubly haunted. 

Origins of The Castle of Heron Bay

The history of Fort Worth Castle is difficult to trace. It has passed through many hands over the years, and much early information has been lost due to an 1876 courthouse fire that destroyed the original deed records. 

Even so, it is thought the original structure was erected on the site in 1860, standing as a single-story, three-room stone farmhouse today believed to be the gabled rear wing of the castle. Who built the stone house is unknown, but records signify the name D. P. Terrell around 1872 as the homesteader of the land. 

From 1904 to 1911, it remained in the possession of the family of Oliver Kennedy, who sold it to the City of Fort Worth as sections of the surrounding land were desired for the Lake Worth project.

The City of Fort Worth leased the premises after Lake Worth was formed. Many homes sprung up around the reservoir along the lake’s shore. During this time, the Whiting family constructed the castle as seen today, along with the guest cottages across Heron Drive. 

According to legend, Samuel Whiting claimed to win the property in a poker game from a man named McPherson. Work on the striking stone residence began in the late 1920s and finished around 1938, with Mrs. Whiting supervising much of the construction.

The pair added a rounded front wing and rear tower, lending the vast structure the visage of a castle. The couple referred to their sprawling stone mansion as Inverness. 

The unusual property was leased by the Vultee Aircraft Corporation from 1944 to 1954, during which time it entertained important visitors like Jimmy Stewart and General Dwight Eisenhower. In the 1970s, it saw a stranger crowd when a number of New Age classes and open forums were held there. 

Who Owns the Whiting Castle on Lake Worth? 

It is difficult to ascertain who exactly owns the property now. The City of Fort Worth auctioned it off to Houston developers for a winning bid of $270,000. What the buyer intends to do with the property is unknown, but they appear to have renamed it “The Castle of Heron Bay.”

Strangely, the website they once created for the property (www.castleofheronbay.com) appears to no longer be functioning. Today, the castle seems largely abandoned, save for the presence of the odd caretaker. 

Legends of Fort Worth Castle

Many legends are told about this strange castle-like structure on the West side of Fort Worth. Rumors have circulated that the stony structure operated as an illegal casino in years past.  Secret tunnels leading to the boat docks on Lake Fort Worth made for easy getaways from the card tables. 

Other legends stretch back further. Rumor has it that during the Whiting’s time in the home, their son committed suicide in the 1930s. Not long after, the castle was seriously damaged by fire. It is said that his spirit lingers in the castle, appearing as a handsome young man. 

After the Whiting family left the property, the castle had countless owners, most of whom rarely lived there for more than a few years. Might they have been intimidated by the lingering spirit of the former family’s son? Who’s to say?

Many odd sightings have been reported over the years, some of which involve the spirit of the mysterious young man. Locals drawn to the castle’s strange allure have parked outside to view its majesty. One such couple who did so had an experience they found difficult to shrug off.

While the man was fiddling with the radio in their car, the woman looked toward the house and saw a young male figure in one of the windows. But, she quickly looked away, attempting to grab her husband’s attention. When she looked again, the figure was gone. 

A Second Specter: The Tragic Bride in White

However, the most famous legend is about a woman in white. This oldest legend dates back to the property’s original owners. As told in local lore, the original house was built by a young man as a gift for his bride-to-be. Then the pair intended to marry inside the house, beginning their happy life within the home. 

But, it seems this was not to be. On the wedding day, the bride was discovered floating in the water on the shore of Lake Worth. Was her death accidental? An act of murder? A case of suicide? This part of the tale is not known. Strangely, the story continues. 

Not long after, the almost-groom married the sister of his former bride, marrying and moving her into the home instead. Might the man have married the sister out of despondency? Possibly. Or perhaps he found he simply preferred the sister instead and disposed of his future bride to make way for a new opportunity.

According to legend, this is when the apparition began to appear. Observers started to see a female figure in white dashing away from the house down to the lake, where she would disappear at the water’s edge. 

Some who have viewed the castle from afar have experienced an overwhelming feeling of heaviness. Might this be what the bride felt before she died? Occasionally, those who’ve driven by have even spied the strange white figure of someone on the property, appearing in one of the tower windows. 

Haunted Dallas

The Castle of Heron Bay is located on private property and does not welcome trespassers, and its surrounding residents do not enjoy the company of late-night ghost enthusiasts. To those wishing to journey on this adventure, it is best that you look elsewhere.

To those interested in the dark and sinister, why not book a ghost tour with Dallas Terrors instead and experience all the spookiness that D-town offers? 

Keep reading our blog to discover more chilling haunts in the Dallas area, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok for additional spine-tingling content. 

Sources:

• https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/experiences/texas/drone-footage-abandoned-castle-fort-worth
• https://ftwtoday.6amcity.com/haunted-fort-worth-buildings
• https://www.fortworthtexas.gov/departments/water/about-us/history
• https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-daily-post/texas-castles-early-years
• https://maps.roadtrippers.com/us/fort-worth-tx/points-of-interest/castle-of-heron-bay
• https://collegian.tccd.edu/21433/october-24-2007/ghostly-apparitions-spook-visitors-at-local-castle-park-trail/
• https://www.hauntedplaces.org/item/lake-worth-castle/