When we think of castles, the U.S. is not a country that comes to mind as home to these grand residences. In fact, there are dozens of castles originally built as mansions across the United States. Luckily for us, we don’t have to own a castle to visit one.
All of the castles on our list are available to tour. The castles are located coast-to-coast and would make a fun stop (or overnight stay) for any road tripper wanting to explore some of America’s national historic landmarks and museums. Here’s a look at 16 of the most spectacular castles in the U.S., as selected by curators at The Culture Trip and Mashable.
1. Hearst Castle in California
The Hearst Castle overlooks the town of San Simeon, California. Newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst built it between 1919 and 1947 based on designs from renowned architect Julia Morgan. At the time, the project was Morgan’s most ambitious. Its four buildings incorporate highlights of various European architectural styles. Hearst purchased numerous architectural pieces from historic Western Europe, including ceilings, doorcases, mantels, and fireplaces. Many of these components were structurally incorporated into Hearst Castle, providing those who take tours today a very real taste of Western European architecture. Hearst Castle’s architectural beauty and historical provenance have earned it the designation of a National Historic Landmark. Morgan became the first woman to receive the American Institute of Architects Gold Medal because of her work.
Built: 1919-1947
Architect: Julia Morgan
Tours Available: Yes
2. Boldt Castle in New York
Some of the most stunning castles in the U.S. were commissioned by wealthy tycoons in the early 20th century — and Boldt Castle in New York is no different. Hotelier George C. Boldt commissioned architectural firm G. W. & W. D. Hewitt for a castle in Alexandria Bay on Heart Island in upstate New York. Boldt envisioned the castle’s iconic house as the perfect gift for his wife Louise. Tragically, however, she died in 1904 and Boldt promptly halted construction. For the next 73 years, it sat as one of the many abandoned castles in America. The Thousand Islands Bridge Authority eventually bought Boldt Castle for one dollar and restored it. Today, visitors can enjoy Boldt Castle’s beautiful architecture, reminiscent of America’s Gilded Age.
Built: 1900-1977
Architect: G. W. & W. D.
Tours Available: Yes
3. Bishop’s Palace in Texas
Architectural experts heap praise on Bishop’s Palace, located in Galveston’s East End Historic District. The American Institute of Architects, named the Victorian-style castle one of the top 100 most significant buildings in the U.S. As with the first item on this list of castles in America, Bishop’s Palace also contains numerous architectural influences from around the world. Architect Nicholas J. Clayton designed it for lawyer and politician Walter Gresham and his family. The stone structure has withstood disasters such as 1900’s great hurricane, providing shelter for hundreds of Galveston residents at the time.
Built: 1887-1893
Architect: Nicholas J. Clayton
Tours Available: Yes
4. Castello di Amorosa in California
Castello di Amorosa is one of the most remarkable castles in America for many reasons. One of these is its age; while it resembles the 13th century Tuscan architecture, Castello di Amorosa was actually built between the 1990s and 2007. Winemaker Dario Sattui drew inspiration from the real European castles he saw during his travels to Europe. Architects Lail and Associates and designer Lars Nimskov, used methods and materials that would have existed centuries ago.
That meant hand-chiseled local stone and authentic European bricks and decor shipped across the ocean to the United States. The castle includes a moat, drawbridge, towers, and even a torture chamber. It’s a one-of-a-kind castle in America, that welcomes those on wine tours in California’s Napa Valley.
Built: 1994-2007
Architect: Lail and Associates
Tours Available: Yes
5. Iolani Palace in Hawaii
While many of the real castles in America were built for those wealthy enough to live like royalty, Iolani Palace in Hawaii is a bona-fide royal residence. King Kalakaua built it in 1882 to showcase Hawaii’s might. He certainly accomplished that, building a one-of-a-kind castle that — in addition to being the only real royal palace in America — stands alone in its representation of an American Florentine (Italian Renaissance meets Hawaiian styles) architectural style.
Built: 1882
Architect: Thomas J. Baker, Charles J. Wall, Isaac Moore
Tours Available: Yes
6. Thornewood Castle in Washington
Thornewood Castle in Washington is one of those castles in America with a history dating back long before the country even existed. Banker and developer Chester Thorne bought a 500-year-old Tudor Gothic manor in England and had the entire structure transported to the United States in pieces. Once stateside, architect Kirtland Kelsey Cutter assisted in piecing Thornewood Castle back together in Washington State.
Built: 1909-1911
Architect: Kirtland Kelsey Cutter
Tours Available: Yes; it is also a bed and breakfast
7. Hammond Castle in Massachusetts
Inventor John Hays Hammond Jr. built Hammond Castle in Massachusetts as a home and laboratory using various architectural artifacts from medieval, Renaissance, and Roman eras.
The overarching style is medieval; its builder’s eccentricity has made Hammond Castle one of the particularly haunting and popular castles in America.
Built: 1926-1929
Architect: John Hays Hammond, Jr.
Tours Available: Yes
8. Fonthill Castle in Pennsylvania
While many of the real castles in America were the work of millionaire tycoons, Fonthill Castle in Pennsylvania was designed by a bona-fide archeologist, Henry Chapman Mercer. Fonthill Castle incorporates a number of historically-accurate architectural designs ranging from Gothic to Byzantine and Medieval. Upon Mercer’s death, Fonthill Castle became a museum.
Built: 1908-1912
Architect: Henry Chapman Mercer
Tours Available: Yes
9. Lyndhurst Mansion in New York
Among the real castles in America, few accurately capture the beauty of Gothic Revival architecture quite like Lyndhurst Mansion in New York, constructed by architect Alexander Jackson Davis. Many noteworthy people have resided in Lyndhurst Mansion, including railroad magnate Jay Gould and New York City mayor William Paulding. As of 1966, Lyndhurst mansion is a National Historic Landmark.
Built: 1838
Architect: Alexander Jackson Davis
Tours Available: Yes
10. Bannerman Castle in New York
New York’s provenance as an American frontier for industry and culture dating back hundreds of years should make it no surprise that the state is home to many of the foremost castles in the U.S. Bannerman Castle was built as an arsenal by ammunition merchant Francis Bannerman. The castle, not surprisingly, resembles the medieval fortresses found in Bannerman’s birthplace of Scotland. Today, it’s one of the most prominent abandoned castles in America.
Built: Early 1900s
Architect: Francis Bannerman VI
Tours Available: Yes
11. The Breakers in Rhode Island
While America was founded on the premise of ‘no royalty needed,’ the Vanderbilt family’s influence and wealth (amassed during America’s Gilded Age) has earned them a level of ubiquity only afforded to royalty. The Vanderbilts built many castles across the United States, including The Breakers in Rhode Island. It was a summer home for Cornelius Vanderbilt II and was built in the Italian Renaissance and Beaux-Arts architecture styles. In addition to its status as one of American architect Richard Morris Hunt’s spectacular surviving works, The Breakers’ architectural design has earned it a place among other National Historic Landmarks.
Built: 1895
Architect: Richard Morris Hunt
Tours Available: Yes
12. Biltmore Estate in North Carolina
Another stunning castle commissioned by the Vanderbilt family is the Biltmore Estate just outside Asheville, North Carolina. It was also designed by Richard Morris Hunt, this time in the French Renaissance architectural style.
Built: 1889-1895
Architect: Richard Morris Hunt
Tours Available: Yes
13. Gillette Castle in Connecticut
Gillette Castle was originally constructed by American actor William Gillette and named Seventh Sister. As with many of the other castles in America, however, this Medieval Gothic-inspired home was renamed after its builder subsequent to its recognizance as a historical masterpiece.
Today, it is on the National Register of Historic Places and operates as a museum by the state of Connecticut.
Built: 1914
Architect: William Gillette and Porteus-Walker Co.
Tours Available: Yes
14. Belvedere Castle in New York
Belvedere Castle is one of the few real castles in America located in New York City proper. The structure, which mixes Gothic and Romanesque architectural styles, is tucked away in Central Park. For years following the 1960s, it was one of the most mistreated abandoned castles in America. Restoration began in the 1980s and today, it can be toured. It also houses the official Central Park weather station.
Built: 1867-1869
Architect: Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux
Tours Available: Yes
15. Castle in the Clouds in New Hampshire
Lucknow Estate (aka Castle in the Clouds) is one of the more modest real castles in America, containing “only” 16 rooms. It’s very impressive nonetheless, built according to the tenets of Craftsman architecture. While many castles in America were designed to pay homage to the old-fashioned nature of their European counterparts, Castle in the Clouds was built with many luxurious and modern amenities for the time, including a central vacuum system.
Built: 1913-1914
Architect: J. Williams Beal
Tours Available: Yes
16. Loveland Castle in Ohio
Last but certainly not least on our list of real castles in America, we have Loveland Castle in Ohio. Its builder was World War I veteran and (fittingly) medievalist Harry D. Andrews. Its history is hazy but Loveland Castle’s architectural styles are unmistakably French, English, and German.
Built: 1929-1970
Architect: Harry D. Andrews
Tours Available: Yes
Castles in America are more common than you think.
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