Westerleigh-Castleton Corners

Understanding Westerleigh-Castleton Corners

The National Prohibition movement developed a summer campground here in the late nineteenth century. Permanent streets and houses followed, and the former picnic grove became a public park.

The neighborhood name later shifted to Westerleigh, after a collegiate institute. The park’s octagonal bandstand belongs to its later community recreation life.

Castleton Corners also appears in the island's early election history. Historic Richmond Town preserves a ballot box associated with the era when Castletown polling moved among several locations, including Bodine's Tavern at Castleton Corners. The tavern reference is history, not a verified surviving interior to visit.

Castleton Corners was called Centreville when a brewery opened in the 1850s. Horsecar and electric lines later connected the district with the North Shore and neighboring Prohibition Park. Manor Road estates were gradually divided into residential streets.

Places to explore

• Westerleigh Park

  Former campground picnic grove

  Look for the bandstand and tree-covered public space. The park explains the former retreat without implying that historic houses around it are open for tours.

• Headquarters Troop, 51st Cavalry Brigade Armory exterior

  321 Manor Road, Castleton Corners

  Werner & Windolph’s 1926–27 building rises above Manor Road with round towers and crenellated parapets. View the facade from the public sidewalk. Landmark status does not establish interior tours or permission to enter the grounds.

• Westerleigh residential streets

  Public streets around the park

  The Parks history identifies Dutch Colonial and Victorian houses associated with the transition from summer campground to permanent neighborhood. View them from public sidewalks and respect residential property.

• Clove Lakes Park

  Nearby, east of the collection

  For an optional outdoor extension, choose its lake paths and stone bridges. It is a separate mapped park destination, with no timed route from Westerleigh claimed.