Home / Arts and Entertainment / Oregon Castle Park: From Draftsman's Dream to Fairy Tale Reality
Oregon Castle Park: From Draftsman's Dream to Fairy Tale Reality
28 Oct
Summary
- A theme park began as a state employee's personal project.
- Opened in 1971 with 75 visitors, now sees over 100,000 annually.
- The park remains family-owned and operated across three generations.
Beside a major Oregon interstate, a castle-shaped sign marks the exit for a family-run theme park. This whimsical destination features hand-built figures from fairy tales and nursery rhymes along shaded paths, complemented by rides and a western-themed town.
Roger Tofte, a draftsman, was inspired during a 1963 family road trip to create something ambitious. He purchased 20 wooded acres in 1964 and began building figures in his spare time, with coworkers dubbing the site "Idiot Hill." Despite limited prior experience, Tofte persevered.
After seven years of work, the park opened on August 8, 1971, with 75 visitors paying $1 for adults and 50 cents for children. A subsequent newspaper article brought 1,000 visitors the following week. Tofte left his highway department job in 1973 to focus fully on the park.
Now operating from March to September, the park attracts over 100,000 visitors annually and is managed by three generations of the Tofte family. Despite challenges like storms damaging attractions, the park's legacy continues. Roger Tofte passed away on February 13, 2026, at age 96.
