Within the past few hours, I found out that Oklahoma may have more castles in it than New Zealand.
I find that hard to believe.
Well, the truth is, most castles built after the medieval period ended in the 1500s aren’t “true” medieval castles.
That doesn’t mean they’re not “real” though.
The thing is, some original fortresses built during the Middle Ages (another word for medieval) had a different purpose than, for example, some castles built in 2018.
Medieval castles usually had tall walls with spaces on rooftops to prop cannons, guns, or other artillery.
There’s not much different than 21st-century castles’ appearance wise though — at least not the exterior.
Some Oklahoma castles, for instance, were made to replicate medieval castles to preserve history or to use as demonstrations for education.
20th and 21st-century Oklahoma castles also exist for entertainment.
They do fascinate children and keep them busy for hours.
Adults who appreciate architecture from all eras also can join in on the fun of learning for creativity’s sake.
10 Most Beautiful Castles in Oklahoma
The 10 most beautiful castles in Oklahoma cover medieval history well.
However, they also do serve the public just for amusement.
1. Castle Falls
Bill Blecha began building this Oklahoma City Castle toward the end of World War II in 1945.
Bill, who was a soldier from Oklahoma city, used the Normandy castles as his inspiration.
He made the walls 24 inches thick, which I think sounds very sturdy.
Castle Falls has three levels. By 2022, a restaurant now serves people.
You can also plan special events, such as weddings or other private gatherings and corporate workshops here.
2. Castle of Muskogee
The Castle of Muskogee takes visitors back to Renaissance England.
This castle, built for educational and entertainment purposes, provides family and group experiences you won’t forget.
I’m not sure how historically accurate the activities at the Muskogee are, but it does give a mid-to-late 1560s vibe.
It’s all about knights, jousting, and amusement for all ages.
I heard a comment that this castle was only built for commercial gain.
It’s not the only medieval replica of its kind in the world, however.
Everything, including this structure, has a purpose.
I think this one is meant for children, mostly.
That’s perfectly fine with me.
3. Collings Castle
You might not realize Collings Castle, nestled in the Arbuckle Mountains, is even there.
You have to know where to look for it unless you discover it by accident.
It’s been called by Wander Wisdom the “closest thing to a true medieval castle in Oklahoma.”
It’s not only fascinating because of its structure, but it also has clear springs and waterfalls onsite.
Dr. Ellsworth Collings, a former Dean of the University of Oklahoma, built Collings Castle in the 1930s.
Its original interior had bunks and was intended as a private home.
One feature I heard about is the native rose rocks used as part of its fireplace stone.
4. Wentz Castle
Have you ever heard of Ponca City, OK?
If not, you’re not the only one.
Anyway, Wentz Castle sits on a hill in this location.
It’s a part of a chain of stone buildings that make up a fortification, or at least some semblance of one from medieval times.
The present-day Wentz camp that Lew Wentz donated now operates here, and he began his personal castle work between 1925 and 1928.
The original building included a water tower that could hold more than 30,000 gallons of water.
Would you believe that an observation deck sat on top of this tower?
I have seen water towers.
Even the short ones give me tremors thinking about looking even up let alone down from them.
5. Captain’s Castle (Reynolds Castle)
If you want to see what the Captain’s Castle looks like, you should see the black and white photos of it.
You can see its twin towers peeping out far above the trees on one side of it.
You probably could take your own pictures if you asked the right person when you get there.
To find the Captain’s Castle, you will have to go to the southwest part of the Cameron Mountains.
It’s near Poteau, Oklahoma.
Captain J.E. Reynolds built the castle for himself and his wife, Felicity Turnbull Reynolds.
This happened sometime in the late 1880s.
It’s known for having contained Civil War memorabilia and has World War I influence too.
The stone for Reynolds Castle came from a nearby quarry.
That’s nothing like local production at its best for this building project.
The Reynolds lived in the castle until 1911.
Then, they moved to a more modern community living in Arkoma, and constructed a new home.
They both died in 1920 and have their graves situated at Fort Smith’s Historic Oak Cemetery.
The memory of Reynold may be controversial to some.
They were known for helping a Confederate Soldier, but that soldier was wounded.
I can see the humanity in this “Good Samaritan” act. I get it.
6. Jay Castle
The Jay Castle in Jay, OK has a private waterfront.
It’s possible to rent this, but you’d pay thousands of dollars per week.
Maybe you will find this land worth the price, knowing it covers 12 acres.
I think I’d have to split the rent for the week with at least a half-dozen people.
It is apparently used for summer vacations or romantic retreats.
That would make an expensive family reunion though if no one pitches in to pay for it with you.
I found out Jay Castle is 4000 square feet.
Is there room in Oklahoma for such a structure?
Well, there is.
That’s probably the reason it’s there.
I hear the landscape has plenty of forests and other green spaces in it.
This large structure representing medieval fortresses has four stone towers 40 feet each.
Descriptions indicate that the Jay Castle combines 21st-century living with the 18th-century style.
7. Kiefer Castle
Kiefer Castle sits between Tulsa and Oklahoma.
It’s probably one of the closest to a fairy tale you can get in OK.
It’s known for its rich green space, but I think it’s funny that not even the original owner knows how many rooms this castle may have.
I couldn’t find how large it was or when or who made it.
I suspect it’s a late 20th-century structure, but I could be wrong.
8. Leonardo’s Castle
Leonardo’s Castle became a part of a mid-1990s Adventure Quest project.
I think it’s an excellent way to visualize learning for all ages.
Many people learn best by experience, which this amusement park system does for people.
9. The Castle Playground at the Gathering Place
George Kaisa, a billionaire, built this castle, which opened in 2018.
I think of it as one more medieval history learning tool.
Some people may wonder how historically accurate theme parks are.
However, the experiential learning of castle parks like this can set the tone of the medieval period.
It provides a frame of reference that just reading about castles in a history book can’t do.
10. University of Oklahoma
Oh, I didn’t even know what the University of Oklahoma looked like until now.
I am in awe after seeing this college building (at least by photo) for the first time.
I love the red color of the building.
I think it has much more character than other school buildings I have seen.
Then again, I am partial to gothic and medieval architecture. Forgive my biased opinion, please.
It’s hard to explain.
Some buildings combine the right window frame shapes and carve the trims just right.
The same goes for the rooftop design.
Oklahoma Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Oklahoma Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did OK castles originate?
All I know is that it wasn’t in Oklahoma.
Beyond that, my first guess would have been Scotland or England, but I stand corrected.
According to Primary Work Help, Normandy in Northern France built the first castles.
This surprises me, but I at least guessed right that castles originated in Europe.
Are castles in Oklahoma real?
Contrary to popular belief, castles exist outside of fairytales.
The only difference is, some of them were not built until the 19th or 20th centuries, unlike some of the medieval ones.
The designs of the castles built in OK are real, as they do resemble designs of earlier decades.
Some homes have castellated elements too.
This means that the roof may have the jagged look that most castle roofs had, or maybe they have the windows or towers of a castle.
By the way, theme parks often get criticized for their “touristy” appeal.
However, these parks do at least reach a population with an increasingly shortened attention span, I think.
When did the original Oklahoma castles exist?
I don’t know of any castles in Oklahoma that builders constructed before the late 1880s.
However, it’s possible that I don’t know about them.
Many private houses across the centuries are also classified as historically significant and may have some similarities to castles on the outside but perhaps have a contemporary interior.
What influenced castle design in Oklahoma?
Oftentimes, it’s architecture students who want to continue the legacy of certain architectural styles.
Even as recently as 2022, medieval building designs prevail for the fun of it and for educational or (sometimes) functional purposes.
What is the difference between modern and medieval castles?
Modern castles typically serve mostly an aesthetic purpose.
On the other hand, modern castle houses do stand the test of time if built right.
Still, as opposed to the fortified castle cities of medieval times, modern houses typically aren’t used as war defense against enemy attacks.
