Valley Girl Views: Dane Castle, Strongstown Pa

Located about two hours west of the Central Susquehanna Valley, past Altoona,

at the corner of 403 and Fredericks Road in Strongstown Pa, sits 14th century style Norman Keep Castle.

GPS Coordinates 40.55963, -78.91763

Once a museum & private residence, we are unsure what the status of this property is currently. Sadly, Mike Mahalko died in 2020.

It is easily visible from the road, and signs direct you to the driveway around back, but there is nothing giving hours or details for the public. The website no longer exists. Mihalko passed away in 2021, at age 70 - I have no idea what the status of the castle is, but I would assume this is something you can only see in passing, from the road, at this time.

In the 1970's, Mike Mahalko was a professional wrestler for the World Wide Wrestling Foundation, known as "Iron Mike Mahalko, the Executioner". He said that when he retired, he wanted to build a castle in which to live happily ever after.

In 2001, he did just that. It took some time to convince someone to build it for him and his wife Cathy Homer, but on September 11 2002, they moved into the castle and christened it Dane Castle, after their love of Great Danes.

The date was no coincidence. "So many people lost their lives and dreams, we wanted to honor them with our dream coming true."

The castle is located less than an hour north of the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville Pa.

"Step back in time as you walk onto the drawbridge spanning a dry moat. You will be enchanted by a time of Knights and Princesses, Wizards and Dragons. Enter through the big double castle" - From the now defunct Dane Castle Website

In 2009, public tours were held for $5 a person, from April through November. But the website is now defunct and there is no sign that tours are still available at this time. The castle however, can be seen easily from the road, even if tours of the inside are no longer available.

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https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2019/04/sights-to-see.html

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*****MIKE MAHALKO, who passed away on December 18, 2020 at the age of 70, was introduced at a fighting weight of 310 pounds from Nanty Glo, PA (located in the mountains between Johnstown and Altoona) and grappled on a total of six live events at Pittsburgh's Civic Arena during 1980-81 as well as on a number of events at regular major W.W.F. stops from 1978 through 1982 at Altoona's Jaffa Mosque, Johnstown's War Memorial Arena, Steubenville, Ohio's St. John Arena, and the Wheeling (W. Va.) Civic Center!!! Mahalko would also appear in at least three bouts on the weekly W.W.F. television programs during 1980-81!!!*****

*****MIKE MAHALKO'S SIX CAREER MATCHES IN THE PITTSBURGH CIVIC ARENA RING*****

*****JUNE 13, 1980*****

Mike Mahalko defeated Bill Berger, "bearhug" SUBMISSION in 10:17!!!

*****JULY 18, 1980*****

Mike Mahalko was eliminated #1 in a $15,000 16-Man Battle Royale eventually won by The Incredible Hulk Hogan in 15:50!!!

*****SEPTEMBER 12, 1980*****

Mike Mahalko pinned "Hangman" Jim Grabmire in 9:50!!!

*****OCTOBER 10, 1980*****

Mike Mahalko pinned Bill Berger in 7:30!!!

*****FEBRUARY 20, 1981*****

Mike Mahalko pinned Bill Berger in 13:25!!!

*****JUNE 5, 1981*****

Mike Mahalko pinned Bill Berger in 6:20!!!

*****Mahalko appeared on many independent cards in the Greater Pittsburgh Tri-State Area during a career which lasted from 1978 through at least 1986 under a mask as Erik The Great Dane, sometimes teaming with a hooded Leif (Bill Berger) as "The Great Danes" featuring a unique, spectacular ring entrance each with a Great Dane dog on a leash!!! One of his last known appearances was on the historic Mick Foley pro wrestling debut card on June 28, 1986 in Clarksburg, W. Va. at the Nathan Goff National Guard Armory!!!*****

*****Following his retirement from in-ring competition, Mahalko and his wife constructed, owned, and operated the Dane Castle tourist attraction on a twelve acre plot in Strongstown, Indiana County, PA!!! About a decade ago the Dane Castle was featured on the daily Dave Crawley segment at the conclusion of Pittsburgh's KDKA-TV2 "Eyewitness News At 6:00PM"!!!*****

****R.I.P. - MIKE MAHALKO/ERIK THE GREAT DANE (1950-2020)*****