ORIGINALLY BUILT BY FRANCIS NICHOLSON DARKE AS A FORTRESS FOR HIS BELOVED WIFE ANNIE, STONE HALL CASTLE BRINGS AN INCREDIBLE MEDIEVAL EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE TO REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN.
The history surrounding this castle is as intriguing as its original owner. It is a little known fact that the original Darke residence, located where the Hotel Saskatchewan stands today, was damaged during the devastating cyclone of 1912, which tore a path through downtown Regina. Legend has it that his beloved wife Annie was so shaken by that event that she pleaded with him to build a home where she could feel safe again. If it weren’t for this natural disaster, this castle would probably never have been built. In his early sixties, with the children all grown, Darke set out to build his Annie her fortress. He resolved to use the most durable building materials to withstand Prairie cyclones. With cost being no concern for the wealthy Darke, he imported the exact limestone used on the Regina Legislative Building — an action unheard of in its time for a local residence — and work began.
In 1926, Darke, with the help of the finest masons, carpenters and artisans of his time, delivered on his promise to his beloved Annie and presented her with a solid stone fortress complete with stone roof and bomb shelter in the basement.