The Castle Heights designated historic landmark property had an inauspicious start. With construction beginning in 1890 by a local stone contractor who fell on tough times, the yet-to-be-finished castle changed hands once more before being abandoned in 1908. Civil War veteran Captain Alfred Abeel purchased the estate in 1913 and partnered with architect Roy E. Lane—one of the architects behind Waco’s iconic ALICO building and the Grand Karem Shrine Building. Together, they finished the exterior and interior construction, inspired by the German castles found on the banks of the Rhine. In 1941, the castle was purchased by the Pipkin family, founders of W.P. Pipkin Drugs whose daughter, Pauline Pipkin Garrett, was Waco’s first female pharmacist. She later inherited the home, which was eventually donated to a local church. After receiving a permanent historical designation in 1977, the estate continued to change hands, wearing away at the construction. In 2019, the Castle was purchased by Chip and Joanna Gaines with intention of honoring the historic property by making it a home again, bringing with it new life. With a long history of taking on unusual projects, the Gaines' three-year restoration has realized the castle's unique beauty and potential nearly 130 years after its start. The complete restoration was featured in the Magnolia Network series 'Fixer Upper: The Castle' in late 2022.