Caenen Castle History
Caenen Castle (pronounced Kay-nen) was built in 1907 by a Belgium immigrant named Remigius (Remi) Achille Caenen.

Remi and his wife Mary had dreamed of designing a house to resemble a European castle, Chateau Chavaniac, the birthplace of General Marquis de la Fayette. Sadly, Mary would not live to see their dream home. She died suddenly in 1901. Although Remi was deeply saddened by her death and never remarried, he continued planning the home for their children.

In 1905, Remi began constructing the 14-room house, handquarrying the limestone from his land. When the house was finished two years later, Remi lived in it with his nine children for 11 years. He built a smaller house nearby and lived there until his death at age 95 in 1949.

Remi’s daughter, Emma, and her husband Pete Renner occupied the house for several years followed by Mege and Josephine Caenen. After all of Remi’s children had moved out, the home was leased for 25 years to Dr. Elstone, who used the building to operate the Monrovia Rest Home. After Remi’s death, the castle was sold. Over the years, the building served as a restaurant, a private residence, a nightclub and a haunted house.

In 2003, the house was purchased by Chef Renée Kelly and was renovated by Neighbors Construction Co. Inc. On July 15, 2004, it officially opened as Renée Kelly’s at Caenen Castle, a private event venue and catering business. The castle celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2007 and now is on the Kansas Historic Register.

“What a wonderful time my cousin Kathleen and I had when our husbands surprised us with a Valentine dinner at Grandma and Grandpa’s old house. You did a great job renovating it – everything is so elegant, yet simple and the food was delicious. We’ll spend more special occasions at your castle because it brings back such great memories of the many, many celebrations our family had there when we were growing up.”
– Karen Tholen, granddaughter of Remi and Mary Caenen

“Richard and I are so pleased that our wedding reception last Thursday will always be a special memory for us … I just know Grandpa Caenen, my mother, aunts and uncles were all watching with big smiles on their faces with approval.”
– Jean Ann Rieder, granddaughter, Remi and Mary Caenen