Fonthill Castle
Also known as Fonthill House, this was the home of the American archeologist and tile maker Henry Chapman Mercer, in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Built between 1908 and 1912, it is an early example of poured-in-place concrete and features 44 rooms, over 200 windows, 18 fireplaces and 10 bathrooms. Water and pollution have caused damage to the structure over the years, but it is still very much intact and impressive.
Hearst Castle
This famous California historical landmark was designed by architect Julia Morgan to be the home of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, who died in 1951. It opened to the public in 1958 and since that time it has been maintained as a state historic park and a museum, with a considerable collection of art and antiques. Despite its location far from any urban center, the site attracts millions of travelers each year.
Gillette Castle
Sitting high above the Connecticut River in the state of Connecticut, this castle was originally the private residence of William Gillette. He was a American actor who is most famous for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes on stage, and he also designed this beautiful house. In 2002, after four years of restoration, the house was opened for visitors. It now includes a museum, hiking trails, a picnic area, and holds many theatrical celebrations.
Belvedere Castle
Belvedere Castle is found inside Central Park in Manhattan, New York City. It contains exhibit rooms and an observation deck with a view of the whole park and the bordering buildings. An architectural hybrid of gothic and romanesque styles, the castle is a beautiful and a rare sight in the heart of New York, and a great place to stop for a picnic.
Loveland Castle
Also known as Château Laroche, this beautiful museum sits on the the banks of the Little Miami River in Ohio. A folly of a historical European castle, construction began in 1929 by Boy Scout troop leader and World War I veteran Harry D. Andrews. He named his castle after a military hospital in the Chateau La Roche in southwest France where he was stationed during the First World War. The name means “Rock Castle” in French.
For over fifty years, Andrews worked on his castle project. He pulled stones from the nearby Little Miami River, and when that supply was exhausted, molded bricks with cement and quart milk cartons. There are tales of him still haunting the castle, often told by Chateau Laroche’s own volunteer “knights”.
