All events at the iconic Bettendorf Castle in Fox River Grove have been cancelled until further notice.
Amie Schaenzer, Patch Staff
|Updated Thu, May 1, 2025 at 3:13 pm CT
FOX RIVER GROVE, IL — All events at the iconic Bettendorf Castle in Fox River Grove have been cancelled until further notice as village officials are requiring the owners of the castle to reapply for a special use permit.
The snafu has come up following a death in the family that owns the castle, which holds events and hosts wedding on the property. The castle was built in Fox River Grove in 1931 by Theodore “Teddy” Bettendorf, who immigrated to America from Luxembourg.
It remains nestled away in a quiet neighborhood in Fox River Grove to this day and has a water-filled moat, a wishing well, a working drawbridge, an outside bathroom and sink, an outdoor fireplace, an observation tower and a courtyard.
Since its completion, the castle has also been used as a private residence, a honeymoon suite, for the filming of commercials and various civic events.
In a letter posted on the Bettendorf Castle Facebook page, which is signed by William and Daniel Strohl, the "unexpected challenge" is explained.
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"It is with heavy hearts that we share some unfortunate news regarding two of our upcoming events. Following the recent passing of our beloved mother, who along with our late father, lovingly cared for and shared Bettendorf Castle with the community, we have encountered an unexpected challenge," according to the post. "The Village of Fox River Grove has informed us that our existing special use permit is no longer valid, as it was originally issued under our parents’ names. They are now requiring us to go through the full process of reapplying for a new special use permit in order to continue hosting tours and events at the Castle."
All scheduled events at the castle have been cancelled, and refunds have been processed back to the original payment methods used, according to the Facebook post.
"While we respectfully disagree with this interpretation—believing, along with our legal counsel, that zoning applies to property, not individuals—we must comply with the Village’s directive to cancel all scheduled events until further notice," William and Daniel Strohl wrote in their letter.
The Fox River Grove Village Board last week unanimously passed a measure that cancelled the special permitting since the special-use ordinance was originally granted to Michael and Judy Strohl, according to Shaw Local News Network. Village administrator Derek Soderholm told the newspaper the issues was "really more or less a housekeeping item."
Fox River Grove village officials explained the original special-use ordinance was granted specifically to owners Michael and Judy Strohl. The village board unanimously passed a measure last week canceling out the special permitting.
“The original special use was granted to the property and those owners specifically," he said.
The current owners can now go through the process of applying for a new use permit under their names, according to the article.