Solomon's Castle makes Ona feel handmade

Solomon’s Castle is the kind of rural Florida surprise that makes a back road feel rewarded.

The castle sits in Ona, in Hardee County. It is a three-story, 12,000-square-foot castle made with old aluminum newspaper printing plates. PBS WEDU ties the place to artist Howard Solomon, whose home and gallery became a handmade world of metal, windows, jokes, and found-object art.

Florida has polished resorts and famous museums. It also has one-person dream projects in the woods. Solomon’s Castle belongs to that stranger, sweeter side of the state, where a private idea turns into a public landmark.

Because it is off the usual road, check tour days, hours, tickets, weather, and restaurant details before driving out. Pair it with a Hardee County or Peace River day, and give yourself room for the place to be odd in a good way.