Life events upon Gibraltar had been recorded by the family within the Cooke Journals. The journals...hand written entries dating back to 1865, had been hidden away...dusty, and forgotten within the castle walls for many years in the early part of the 20th century. The discovery of the journals brought back life and warmth to the cold stone castle. We discover that precious days were spent laughing, eating, sleeping, and recuperating from the hectic world away from the castle.
The journal entries contain accounts of the family sitting in the main room reading, of the warmth of the great open fire, and of the cool breezes that would swirl from the lake water onto the porch and into the hall on hot summer days.
Built on a ridge near Perry's Lookout, construction of the limestone mansion began in the spring of 1864, under the supervision of Jay Cooke's brother Pitt Cooke. Construction of the 15 room mansion was no small venture. Materials had to be shipped over water, and labor workers had to travel across the bay to the Gibraltar Island construction site. Jay's father, Eleutheros Cooke, was concerned over this issue and wrote this passage in a letter to his son...
"Your building will cost you terribly. White saw Pitts scow man this morning from Port Clinton, who wont carry over the stone for less than $4.00 the cord & mechanics most of them - insist on $3 & board to go out there." Eleutheros Cooke, April 19, 1864
Events related to the Civil War also created problems. On September 19, 1864, the sailing vessel called the Island Queen was on route to the Gibraltar Island construction site with a load of lumber. The sailing vessel had left Sandusky, but was intercepted and sunk by Confederate raiders.
The house was completed as the Civil War was ending, and the first visit by the Cooke family to their newly built island home was on June 15, 1865. The landmark feature of the house is the octagonal tower that stands high above the island, allowing for a magnificent view of the lake in all directions. A view very reminiscent of the view that Perry and his men might have witnessed during the War of 1812.
"The glorious old flag waved from the top of the tower..." June 8, 1866, The Gibraltar Records
The American flag was hoisted to the top of the pole to welcome incoming guests to Gibraltar, and at other times, the flag would be lowered to express sadness in the event of a loved one departing the island...
"...we discovered to our sorrow that Miss Kitty Cooke, was about to leave us...went to the tower of the Gibraltar mansion, and placed the American Flag at half-mast, as some slight-expression of our feelings..." July 10, 1871, The Gibraltar Records
Inside the tower at the base, bookcases made of cherry wood were crafted to contain the Cooke library. The Cooke library was extensive due to the fact that reading was a favorite pastime enjoyed by the family members and to many of their guests. Also within the tower library, stood a grand old organ that would have certainly brought the sounds of inspirational old hymns, and other 19th century music to the halls of the mansion. The organ still exists today and is on display at The Ohio State University.
After the death of Jay Cooke in 1905, family visits to the mansion became less and less frequent. The house and the island eventually became part of The Ohio State University, through a generous gift from Julius F. Stone. Currently the university is in the process of restoring this historic old structure to the original 19th century grandeur that it once had.
Cooke Castle stands high upon Gibraltar Island overlooking the great Lake Erie. It was once a glorious mansion...and has stood upon it's foundation for nearly a century and a half.
To once again provide shelter from the elements...to once again fly the flag up high from atop the tower...to once again hear the grand old organ music resonating through the halls. The future of Cooke Castle is hopeful, and this grand old structure will once again be a magnificent historic castle.
- Letter to Jay Cooke from his father
Journal Entry for 1867
- Fire at Cooke Castle
The Cooke Castle Tower
"...we discovered to our sorrow that Miss Kitty Cooke, who had been upon the island since Saturday, and whose pleasant-society had conduced so much to the enjoyment of us all, was about to leave us...went to the tower of the Gibraltar mansion, and placed the American Flag at half-mast, as some slight-expression of our feelings concerning the departure of one whom we all liked." Monday July 10th 1871, Journal Entry and Sketch