Illinois was founded in 1813.
It became the 21st state in the US on December 3, 1818.
You might wonder if there are any real-life castles in the state of Illinois, since, after all, it really isn’t such an old state when compared to other European countries.
Many of which have castles dating back to the 10th century and some even earlier.
You’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that Illinois has approximately eight castles.
In this article, we will review these castles, their history, and what makes them so unique.
Eight Most Beautiful Castles in Illinois
1. Bettendorf Castle
Bettendorf Castle is located in Fox River Grove, Illinois, and is considered to be a historical landmark.
This is a one-of-a-kind gothic-style castle that overlooks the town of Fox River Grove.
It is the dream and vision of Theodore “Teddy” Bettendorf who immigrated from his hometown in Vianden, Luxembourg to the United States in 1936.
Mr. Bettendorf had learned masonry skills from a young age while seeing a castle in his hometown being restored.
During the construction of Bettendorf Caste, Mr. Bettendorf collected stones from various places such as the excavation of Lake Julian, local stone quarries, and local farmers’ fields in the area.
Aesthetically, the castle is a masterpiece.
It is reminiscent of some eastern European castles from the middle ages.
The castle is set in mature woodland surrounded by luscious greenery, beautiful oak trees, and unsurpassed landscapes.
It is a fortress that features both towers and turrets.
The castle itself is surrounded by fountains and a spacious yard.
In addition, there is a working drawbridge, an actual dungeon, and a water-filled moat.
The most magical aspect of the castle is the wishing fountain found in its courtyard.
Today, the castle serves various purposes.
It has been used as a residence, a wedding venue, an event venue, a photoshoot venue, and more.
2. Soderstrom Castle
Soderstrom Castle is located in Peoria Heights, Illinois.
It is another historical landmark that was modeled after a French chateau in the Loire Valley.
Although it bears the title of a castle, it is more reminiscent of a chateau-like private residence.
And that is exactly what it is today. It is a private residence and home to Dr. Carl W. Soderstrom.
The castle was completed in 1930. It features crenellations, towers, and turrets.
These features have solidified its presence as a landmark in the area.
The history of the castle begins in 1892.
Helen Chubbock was born into a wealthy family who ensured that she and her siblings attained all the social graces of royalty.
And that is exactly how the family was viewed by the inhabitants of Peoria Heights at the time.
She dreamed of being a true princess and living in a real castle.
Fast-forward to 1918 when she married George Lusk and started to collect ideas for the structure of her soon-to-be castle, Soderstrom Castle.
In 1928, the couple traveled through Europe in search of ideas from existing castles at the time, to design their perfect dream home.
The couple hired a prominent architect by the name of L. Eugene Robinson to draw up the blueprints of the castle, which he had completed by 1929.
Thus, the castle was completed in 1930 and from the very first moment it was viewed, it was clear that it would become one of the most famous landmarks of the area.
By 1960, both Mr. and Mrs. Lusk had passed away and the home was purchased by the Walter F. Dexter family in 1962.
In 1972, the home was again purchased by architectural designer David Haase.
From 2013 to the present date, the owner of the castle is Dr. Carl W. Soderstrom.
The castle has been used for many charity events as the current owner is particularly interested in philanthropy.
3. Castle of Palmyra
This castle is located between Hettick and Palmyra, Illinois.
It is approximately 80 minutes from St Louis.
The castle of Palmyra is much more modern.
Having only been built in 2004, it features 9,000 square feet of living space, five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a 2,000 square foot deck, elevator access, wooden and stone floors throughout the structure, a modern kitchen, and two outdoor grills.
It offers a very peaceful and tranquil ambiance and sits on a 40-acre estate, surrounded by beautiful, lush greenery.
The interior of the castle is more reminiscent of a modern structure, rather than the traditional structure and interior one might find in a traditional castle from the middle ages.
As the seasons change, the picturesque castle is transformed from a winter wonderland to a visual treat when the surrounding maple trees turn bright green, yellow, red, and orange during autumn and again in spring and summer.
Visitors can go hiking on one of the many trails surrounding the castle, or go for a walk in nature, rock hunting, and even enjoy a swim in the private lake.
Guests are spoiled with their own private observatory where they are able to gaze at the stars through a refractor telescope.
Alternatively, there is a nine-hole golf course on the property.
The castle serves as a vacation rental these days.
4. The castle at Stronghold Center
The Castle at Stronghold Center is located in Oregon, Illinois on 360 acres of land.
It is a Tudor-style castle and is run by the Presbyterian Church.
This unique castle is situated on the bluffs and overlooks Rock River.
The castle is actually a four-season retreat and camping center.
In essence, it is a Tudor-style manor house.
The property features a great hall situated in front of an outdoor fireplace.
The property was purchased in 1928 by Walter A. Strong who was the Chicago Daily News owner.
Construction started in 1931.
The property is available to be rented to the public and features dormitory-style lodging, wilderness cabins, seven retreat homes that can house anywhere from six to 56 guests, a massive outdoor fireplace, and many rooms that may be used as seminar rooms or meeting rooms.
Regular tours are hosted through the castle.
The tour lasts about an hour and touches on everything from the history of the castle, how it was built, and the Stronghold family.
5. Ravenstone Castle
The castle is located in Harvard, Illinois.
Today, the castle functions as a bed-and-breakfast that occasionally arranges tours for the public and hosts various events.
Construction on the castle started in 2001.
Jose and Rose Michel set out to design their dream home, a 16th-century-style castle, emulating the turrets, arcs, and other features of a true medieval castle.
The family built this castle from the ground up and populated the home with various antique pieces from all over the world.
The castle is open to the public and arranges occasional events and tours.
Tours include private, pre-arranged tours, or tours on scheduled days and times.
While this castle-style home doesn’t have a rich history in terms of centuries, it does have a rich history in terms of its interior decor.
6. The Castle on Roanoke
The Castle on Roanoke is another castle located in Peoria Heights, Illinois.
What it actually is, is an apartment that is situated in a castle-like structure.
The castle is available for vacation rentals and can be rented from Air B&B.
The castle has one tower at the front of the structure.
It is very modern on the inside, though it does somewhat resemble the structure of a gothic-style castle on the outside.
The structure is situated on a prominent piece of property in a suburban area.
The castle apartment features two bedrooms and two bathrooms.
7. Givins’ Irish Castle
The castle is located in Chicago, Illinois.
You can find this castle-like property in the historic district of Chicago.
It is considered to be a historical landmark.
It is perched on a hill in Longwood Drive Historic District in Chicago.
Standing three stories tall, the castle was originally constructed between 1886 and 1887.
It features two round crenelated lookout towers and is made of stone.
Over the entire span of its existence, the castle has only had five castle keepers.
Robert Givins arrived in Chicago in 1863, as a teenager, from Canada.
He moved into real estate and did exceptionally well in this field.
Mr. Givins built the home for his family, who resided on the property on and off for approximately a decade.
He was a well-traveled man who loved to write and was even touted as being a candidate for mayor.
The castle is not open for tours to the public but private tours may be arranged.
8. Dunham Castle
Dunham Castle is a historical landmark located in Wayne, Illinois.
Today, the castle serves as a residence.
It was constructed by Mr. Mark Dunham in 1883.
Mark Dunham moved to Chicago with his family in 1835 where his father, Mr. Solomon Dunham purchased land in the St. Charles area for $1.25 per acre.
Originally, his father built a log cabin on the property.
Later, when he passed away, the land was inherited by his son, Mark, who had a passion for horses and started to import horses from France and breed them for pulling farm equipment.
These horses would be used on farms and the business made Mark a very wealthy man.
During the height of his success, Mark embarked on a different challenge.
He would build a home on the property which had been expanded by an additional 2,000 acres.
The castle was designed with the inspiration of a French chateau by Elgin architect, Mr. Smith Hoag.
The castle has changed hands several times over the decades until it was purchased in 1986 by David Armbrust of Glen Ellyn.
The property has been restored to a single-family home and is still a testament to the rich history and success of the Dunham family.
Illinois Safety Overview
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Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: HIGH
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the oldest castle in Illinois?
The oldest known castle to be built in the state of Illinois is the Givins’ Irish Castle.
This particular castle has also made it onto this list and was constructed between 1886 and 1887.
Many of the castles in Illinois today were constructed in the last 150 years.
Has there ever been a King or Queen in the US?
George III of the United Kingdom reigned over the US until 1783 when the Treaty of Paris was signed that ended the revolutionary war and the monarch in the US.
What is the oldest castle in the US?
The oldest castle in North America was built in 1665 for Arthur Allen and his family.
The name of the castle is Bacon’s Castle.
Illinois may be a relatively young state compared to European countries, but it still boasts eight beautiful castles that showcase unique architecture and rich history.
Illinois was founded in 1813 and became the 21st state in the US on December 3, 1818; it may not have a long history compared to European countries, but its castles are still impressive and unique.