On this date in 1886 Charles Martin Hall produced the first samples of man-made aluminum. And not even a hundred years later this material would be put to good use in the swamplands of central Florida. In the seventies it was common for men to wear their pants too tight while sitting in a split level ranch house. But sculptor Howard Solomon wanted something a bit different-looking in 1974. So he built himself a medieval castle, complete with a moat, out of aluminum printing plates thrown out by a local newspaper. Because when I think medieval, I think…I don’t know…aluminum foil. The 12,000 sq. ft. castle includes a courtyard full of animal sculptures made from discarded automotive parts and oil drums, a light house, a chair made out of 86 beer cans, a collection of player piano rolls, about 80 stained-glass windows and the “Ala-Schmoe”. Then there is the 60-foot replica of a 16th century Portuguese galleon that serves as the official “Boat in the Moat Restaurant” where tourists can eat lasagna after paying Solomon to show them around. And if you can’t get enough of the place, you can actually spend the night. Um…I’ll think about that one. But you better act fast, who knows how much longer this place will be open to the public as Solomon is currently trying to sell his creation with a listing price of $2.5 million. Why? I thought every man’s home is his castle. Well, I guess not this one. At least not anymore.

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