By Gail Marsh
Forget your passport and expensive airline ticket. If you want to tour a real castle you can stay much closer to home! Just put these four Midwest castles on your “must-see” list and you’ll see what I’m talking about. You won’t even know you’re in the Midwest, much less the United States!
Must-visit castles in the Midwest
Joslyn Castle. Omaha, Nebraska
Built in 1903, this Scottish-style castle-home is an architectural wonder with its gold trim, intricately carved mahogany woodwork, and stained-glass windows. Visitors can tour much of the 19,360-square-foot castle, which includes a ballroom, library, drawing room, music room, reception hall, and more. This 35-room mansion is surrounded by beautifully maintained gardens and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. You can find more information here. Or call for tours at: 402-595-1415
Bettendorf Castle. Fox River Grove, Illinois
Theodore (Teddy) Bettendorf immigrated to the United States from Luxembourg in 1931. Bettendorf, an artist and visionary of his time, dreamt of constructing a castle reminiscent of medieval European architecture. Bettendorf used local materials—stones from farmers’ fields and nearby stone quarries—and determinedly set out to build his dream over the course of 30+ years! The completed castle sits atop a scenic bluff overlooking the Fox River, and boasts classic features like battlements, turrets, and even a drawbridge! Find tour information and more here or call 847-639-8280.
Stronghold Castle. Oregon, Illinois
Built in the late 19th century, Stronghold Castle was the vision of Walter Strong, a prominent Chicago businessman and philanthropist. Inspired by his travels in Europe, Strong aimed to recreate the charm of medieval architecture and began construction of the castle in 1899. Stronghold Castle features intricate stonework, a prominent tower, and fortified walls, and was originally intended as a summer retreat for Strong’s family and friends. It later gained a deeper purpose as it transitioned into an educational and spiritual retreat center. See this site for more information and to schedule a tour.
Loveland Castle. Loveland, Ohio
Sir Harry Andrews began building his castle in 1927, fashioning it after Europe’s many famous fortresses. Andrews included battlements, towers, and a drawbridge, all of which hearken back to the romanticism of the Middle Ages. Sir Harry also founded a fraternity called the Knights of the Golden Trail to promote camaraderie, chivalry, and education. Today, the Knights of the Golden Trail organize events, reenactments, and activities that encourage appreciation for history, culture, and the values of honor and loyalty. For additional information check this website or call 513-683-4686.
Have you visited these Midwest castles?
Or have you discovered additional castles in the Midwest that readers should add to their “must see” list? Please tell us in the comments below.
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Lyndhurst Mansion, Tarrytown, NY
Not midwest but give this one a look!
Fonthill Castle in Doylestown, PA
The Kentucky Castle complete with castle walls and Towers is now a farm and hotel located in Versailles Ky.
How about Gillette Castle in Lyme Ct. Very unique with history. Check it out.
The Inn at Riverside on the banks of the Little Arkansas River was built by a retired sea caption in the 19th century. It hast a turret tower with battlements, ballroom, detached servants quarters, library…. Beautiful location and wonderful place to stay.
The “Inn At Riverside”In Wichita, Kansas.
There’s also the “Palace on the Prairie” in Ponca City, OK, Built by former oil man and governor E. W. Marland.
Castle in the Clouds in Moultonboro NH
We are right now on a 3 month RV trip around the upper Midwest to avoid the staggering Florida heat. Last week we visited the castle in Loveland OH. A remarkable feat by a single man over 51 years. We highly recommend it.
I visited the Loveland Castle several times while Sir Harry was still alive. I believe the construction was ongoing, maybe even after his death and is larger than years ago when I was last there. It is interesting for sure. I also highly recommend seeing it.
This summer we visited the Hearst Castle on the California coast. I wasn’t that interested in going but our friends we were traveling with wanted to see it. I had no idea what to expect. This place was incredible, I’ve never seen anything like it! It was worth the trip.
There is also the Redstone Castle just south of Aspen, CO.
Gillette Castle, East Haddem, CT. The castle was designed and built by William Gillette, an American actor most famous for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes on stage. There are hidden rooms, amazing hand carved woodwork throughout the castle, beautiful views of the CT river, hiking trails.
Bishop Castle in Rye Colorado
While not classified as a castle, the Biltmore House is America’s largest private home and definitely feels like a castle. It is in Asheville, NC. It is beautiful and worth the visit.
Thank you, Gail! No, never seen or visited one.
Not in the midwest but highly recommend Hammond Castle in Gloucester, Massachusetts!
Hammond Castle is located on the Atlantic coast in the Magnolia area of Gloucester, Massachusetts. The castle, which was constructed between 1926 and 1929, was the home, laboratory, and museum of John Hays Hammond Jr., an inventor and pioneer in the study of remote control who held over four hundred patents. Wikipedia
Address: 80 Hesperus Ave, Gloucester, MA 01930
Areas served:
Boston and nearby areas
Owner: John Hays Hammond Jr.
Construction started: 1926
Architect: John Hays Hammond Jr.
Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 4 PM
Opened: 1929
Architecture firm: Allen and Collins
Phone: (978) 283-2080
Area: 7 acres
Added to NRHP: May 8, 1973
Uh, Fox River Grove is many miles from the Mississippi River. Perhaps you meant that it overlooked the FOX River?
Yes, sorry! Thanks for the edit!
We visited the Bolt Castle in Alexandria Bay which sits on an island in the St Lawrence Seaway. Absolutely amazing. A must see!
https://piattcastle.org/home
Sorry for the delay in approving this comment/link, Brad. Usually anything with a link gets held for approval (even when I include a link in my comment!), but for some reason our sometimes over-zealous spam filter puts things into the Spam folder for no reason. I just noticed this sitting in there. My apologies. Have a good afternoon/evening, and a wonderful Thanksgiving. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Check out Solomon’s Castle in Ona, Florida. Very unique.
Castle in a little town in MT. White Sulphur Springs. Hopefully the link works, as it shows a picture of it. Now a historical museum.
I’ve visited Stronghold Castle a couple of times during Ren Faires. History is pretty interesting.
Don’t miss Coral Castle in Leisure City, Florida.
There is a castle in Arlington Tennessee called the Castle Gwynn. They have a great Renaissance festival every spring. It can be partially seen from I840 near Murfreesboro.
Thank you, Gail! After seeing many mostly-destroyed Irish castles last month, it is nice to see these with all parts still standing. Have a great day and safe travels!