When you think of castles, you might think of outstanding personal homes with more space than one could possibly need – and that is often the case.
However, sometimes, castles are built for other purposes – namely to benefit a group of residents or an entire community.
Maryland is home to castles that were built for a variety of purposes, and every single one of them is definitely worth a close-up look.
10 Most Beautiful Castles in Maryland
Some of Maryland’s castles started as homes for wealthy couples and individuals, but many of them were actually built and funded by the government.
Below, you’ll find a list of 10 marvelous structures that serve as homes, community centers, wedding venues, schools, and more – all of which you can visit during appointed times and seasons.
1. Baltimore City College
Baltimore City College is known as “Castle on the Hill” and was built in 1928.
It’s set up in a large rectangular shape that is 360 ft. long and 300 ft wide.
It rises three stories and has a central 150 ft. tall tower.
The building itself was constructed of granite and brick, with limestone trim – and the designers used great care and attention to detail.
It features Gothic arches, bowed windows, carved stone, a crenelated roof, decorative wood trim, an interior courtyard, towers, and so much more beauty to take in.
Baltimore City College is the third oldest school in America and operates as a public high school for Baltimore’s teens.
2. The Castle B&B
The Castle or The Mount Savage Castle – as it’s referred to – comes from humble beginnings as a regular stone house in the 1840s.
In the late 1800s, wealthy entrepreneur Andrew Ramsay purchased the home and had it converted to look like Craig Castle in Scotland.
He and his family enjoyed the home until the Great Depression made it impossible for his family to keep it, and it has now been opened as a bed and breakfast.
You can easily enjoy the splendor of the antique features, intriguing terraces and verandas, a beautiful garden, a spectacular view, and more by booking a stay at the bed and breakfast.
3. Elkton Armory Castle
This imposing granite structure was built in the early 1900s for the Maryland National Guard.
Since that time, though, it’s not only been used for training purposes but has also been the location of many other local events.
Residents and visitors of Maryland have enjoyed it for dances, sports competitions, weddings, and other celebrations, and more.
Schools, the Women’s Club of Elkton, bands, the fire department, and other groups have put the community center to good use on more than one occasion over the last century.
Sadly, it was even used as a morgue when Pan American Airlines Flight 214 crashed.
To this day, Elkton Armory is still used for a variety of purposes for the community – and military, when needed.
4. Hyattsville Armory Castle
It seems the Maryland Military had a flair for design.
The Hyattsville Armory Castle was built in 1918 to resemble Windsor Castle – and it’s pretty impressive.
This three-story fortress was the grounds for training, of course, but it can be difficult to keep all that goodness to one’s self.
It has been home to many plays over the years, including Hamlet, and was even the location of a French Restaurant named Windsor in the 1980s.
The restaurant didn’t go over so well, though, and it’s still being used by the Hyattsville community for a variety of purposes.
5. Cloisters Castle
Cloisters Castle is an incredible example of what can happen when two people share a dream and follow it.
Mr. and Mrs. Sumner A. Parker wanted a Gothic manor house that resembled some they had seen while traveling.
For years, they continued their travels, gathering inspiration, design techniques, and collectibles for this purpose.
They finally found their ideal land and got to work on the home in 1929.
After they passed, Cloisters Castle changed hands a few times.
It’s now open for weddings and other events – it was even the location for Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s wedding.
You can also view the beautiful architecture and intricate mixture of elements from around the world during open house tours.
6. Rossdhu Gate
Rossdu Gate is the last standing piece of another woman’s dream – but it’s quite an impressive piece.
And it’s not just a gate – it’s an entire gatehouse.
Daisy Calhoun dreamed of building a Tudor-style home with a dining room, billiard room, conservatory, turrets, and more.
With her husband’s financial assistance, she was able to have the home built in 1927 – one that looked like Rossdu Castle in Scotland.
The gatehouse is all that’s left of the home, but it’s a beautiful home itself with marble mosaics, a balcony complete with a gargoyle, a circular staircase, bedrooms, a library, a tower, and more.
7. National Park Seminary Castle
The National Park Seminary Castle has quite a history – and some fairy tale features.
In 1887, it was built as a summer resort and tobacco plantation called Ye Forest Inn.
The venture eventually failed, so the property was sold and turned into a girls’ finishing school.
At this time, the eight homes on the property were redesigned to reflect architecture from around the world and included a Dutch windmill and pagoda.
By 1942, the property was sold to the U.S. Army to become a medical center.
The sorority houses have now been redesigned into condos and townhomes that you can buy or rent.
8. Castle at Maryvale
The Castle at Maryvale began as Wickliffe Castle in 1912.
It was originally built for Dr. Walter Wickes and his wife on more than 100 wooded acres.
The Tudor-style home was fashioned after England’s Warwick Castle, with turrets, a tower, an early Renaissance-styled garden, a maze, and more.
This beautiful property is now sometimes used for weddings and events, but its main purpose is to serve as Maryvale Preparatory School.
Young girls grades six to 12 get to enjoy the castle and grounds each day during school hours – possibly bringing some childhood princess-related fantasies to life.
9. Frederick Armory Castle
The Frederick Armory Castle – like other armories on this list – was built for the National Guard in 1913.
Its grand walls and medieval fortifications have witnessed training exercises and other military-related tasks and events, but the property offers much more to residents.
It is more commonly used as a community space, which is why it’s referred to as the William R. Talley Recreation Center.
This castle-like structure provides internet access, a gymnasium, meeting rooms, classrooms, a fitness center with showers and lockers, and more to residents and visitors.
Regardless of your purpose for walking through the doors, this stone structure is definitely worth a visit.
10. Allegany County Courthouse
The Allegany County Courthouse just might be one of the most impressive castles to view.
Before the county had a courthouse, the court was held in John Graham’s home until the first structure was erected in 1793.
A lot of money went into building the courthouse and later expanding it to add a jail, but a fire occurred in 1893 that destroyed the structure.
Not letting that stand in the way, the government got to work constructing the current courthouse and jail.
Though visiting a courthouse – let alone a jail – is hardly at the top of anyone’s bucket list, it’s hard to fathom the beauty of this building from afar.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any other castles or homes in Maryland I should visit?
Yes, Rose Hill Manor is a beautiful venue that can’t be overlooked.
It might not qualify as a castle, but the Jeffersonian home has crystal chandeliers, ballrooms, hand-carved fireplaces, and so much more to be enamored with.
It’s open for weddings, events, and tours.
Are the armories open to outsiders?
The armories on this list are historical sites – and the communities are proud to share them.
Though you definitely need to visit during business hours, you can walk in and see the beauty.
I’m bringing my kids on my trip. What activities should I plan besides seeing the castles?
Maryland is full of fun and educational experiences, so you can rest assured, your kids will be entertained.
Some specific activities to consider are riding Mountain Coaster at Wisp in McHenry or National Harbor’s Capital Wheel, visiting the National Aquarium, checking out the wild horses at Assateague National Seashore and State Park, flapping with penguins at the Maryland zoo, and playing at the Port Discovery Children’s Museum.
As you can see, the trouble isn’t finding things to do – it’s trying to decide between all of the available.
What time of year should I plan my trip?
It’s hard to say.
The temperature is often the best between April and June and again from August to October, making all of your sightseeing pretty pleasant.
Unfortunately, April to August comes with a pretty good chance of rain, so you might get wet if you visit during those months.
July tends to log the most rain, and the end of August to early April is the drier season.
If you can handle temperatures that are a bit cold, that might be the ideal time.
Or you can just pack an umbrella and rain boots to take your chances in the warmer season when the landscape provides an even prettier backdrop.
