The Sunflower Castle – Mount Vernon and River Streets, Boston, Massachusetts

The home at 130 Mount Vernon Street, often referred to by locals as the Sunflower House or Sunflower Castle, is stylistically unique amongst its more conservative red brick, brownstone and clapboard neighbours. The Sunflower Castle is an 1840 home which was transformed into its present form in 1878 by then owner Charles Luce, who no doubt was seeking some attention.

To describe the residence: the first floor of stucco is painted in a bright blazing yellow that will pale in comparison only to the sun. The second floor, in contrast, is covered in a series of red English patterned tile (supposedly made in Akron, Ohio). Situated just above the front door on Mount Vernon Street is a black iron griffon. And lastly, located just over the iron griffon is what appears to be a wooden carving of a sunflower for which this home received its nickname.