Opening the blinds in my room at the Garrison Institute I was presented with a lovely view of Castle Rock. The rough-cut stones, red slate roof, and towers of this mansion make it one of the most recognizable landmarks in the Hudson Valley. It was built in 1881 for William H. Osbourne, president of the Illinois Central Railroad, and later inhabited by Henry Fairchild Osbourne and Henry Fairchild Osbourne, Jr. [NOTES: It is said that John Muir frequently stayed at Castle Rock and wrote a book there. The rumor that Castle Rock was used as the residence of the Wicked Witch of the West in the movie Wizard of Oz, however, is unfortunately incorrect].