The stone 'castle' of eccentric Broadway costume designer Antoinette Sherri hosted lavish 1920s-30s parties before burning in 1962, leaving foundations and a famous freestanding arched grand staircase in the Chesterfield woods. The site sits at the entrance of the Forest Society's 513-acre Madame Sherri Forest and is free and legal to visit off Gulf Road. Its signature feature is mostly gone: the arch and stairs progressively collapsed, with major failures in 2021, and the remaining masonry is unstable. Photograph the ruins and hike the trails, but stay off what's left of the stonework.
Vestige documents abandoned & historic places for education and preservation. Always obtain permission before visiting and follow local law.