Historically Local Tour

Saturday, October 18, 2025

Noon to 1 pm

Register Here

Castle Falls and the WesTen District co-sponsor a monthly historical tour that delves into the history of both Castle Falls and the surrounding area of Council Grove, where Oklahoma City began.

The tour takes place on the third Saturday of each month. It is free to attend, but registration is required. The tour is not recommended for people with physical challenges due to the outside topography and the historic nature of the building.

Here is a summary of the historical information shared on the tour:

Castle Falls

  • A dream come true: The castle was built by Bill Blecha, who was inspired by a Normandy castle he saw while serving in World War I.
  • Built from history: Construction began in 1945 and was completed in 1950. The unique structure was built from salvaged materials from Oklahoma City building demolition and urban renewal projects that occurred in the 1920s and 1930s.
  • A museum of OKC’s past: The castle incorporates materials from well-known OKC landmarks, including the Colcord Hotel, the old Oklahoma County Courthouse, and Capitol Hill High School. A prehistoric mammoth tooth is even embedded in one of the fireplaces.
  • From home to venue: Blecha, his wife Opal, and daughter Dee lived in the castle for decades. After a period as a German restaurant, it was purchased in 2004 by Amy and Ralph Rollins, who restored it and built an event venue to complement the castle’s architecture (restaurant).

Council Grove

The “Unassigned Lands”: The area was part of the “Unassigned Lands” and also served as a timber reserve for Fort Reno.

A historic meeting place: Council Grove was a three-and-a-half-square-mile section of land that was heavily wooded, making it an ideal meeting place for Native American nations like the Muscogee (Creek), Kiowa, and Comanche.

The first permanent settlement: In 1858, Jesse Chisholm opened a trading post in the area. This led to the establishment of Montford T. Johnson’s ranch, which is recognized as the first permanent settlement in what would become Oklahoma City.

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