7 Castles In Illinois That Will Take Your Breath Away
Illinois isn’t exactly the first place that pops into your head when someone mentions castles, yet, here I am, about to tell you about a few that might just change that. Forget about fields of corn for a second.
Picture towering stone turrets, arched doorways, and sprawling estates that look like they’ve been plucked straight from a European fairy tale and dropped into the heart of the Midwest. Yeah, they’re here.
And trust me, you’re not going to believe they exist in Illinois. From castles straight out of medieval dreams to Moorish palaces overlooking the Mississippi, these architectural wonders will have you wondering if you’ve somehow wandered off the beaten path and into another world entirely.
1. Bettendorf Castle – Fox River Grove
Perched along the banks of the Fox River like a medieval daydream that wandered too far west, Bettendorf Castle stands as one of Illinois’ most charming architectural oddities. Built in the 1930s by the Bettendorf family (yes, the same folks behind the Iowa city), this stone fortress was originally meant as a private residence that would make the neighbors do a serious double-take.
The castle features authentic medieval design elements including turrets, stone walls, and arched doorways that make you half-expect a knight to come clopping out on horseback.
Located at 418 Concord Ave in Fox River Grove, this castle isn’t just a pretty facade. The craftsmanship is absolutely stellar, with each stone carefully placed to create that genuine old-world feel.
Walking around the exterior, you’ll notice the attention to detail in every archway and window, making it clear that this wasn’t some weekend DIY project gone wild.
The castle’s location adds to its magical appeal. Nestled in a quiet residential area with mature trees providing a natural moat of greenery, it feels both accessible and mysterious at the same time.
While it’s a private residence (so no castle-storming allowed), you can still appreciate its grandeur from the street. Photography enthusiasts absolutely adore this spot, especially during autumn when the surrounding foliage creates a perfect storybook backdrop.
The way the afternoon light hits those stone walls creates shadows and textures that would make any Instagram feed instantly more interesting. It’s proof that sometimes the best castles aren’t across the ocean, they’re hiding in plain sight in suburban Illinois.
2. Stronghold Castle / Stronghold Camp & Retreat Center – Oregon
Picture a genuine medieval fortress rising from the bluffs of the Rock River, and you’ve got Stronghold Castle in Oregon, Illinois. Built in 1928 by Walter Strong, the publisher of the Chicago Daily News, this isn’t some half-hearted castle wannabe—it’s a full-blown limestone fortress complete with towers, battlements, and enough authentic details to make history buffs weep with joy.
Strong wanted a country retreat, and boy, did he deliver on the drama.
Today, the castle serves as the Stronghold Camp & Retreat Center at 1922 IL-2 N, and it’s still knocking socks off visitors nearly a century later. The structure sprawls across the landscape with multiple towers and connecting buildings, all constructed from locally quarried limestone that gives it that timeless, weathered look.
It’s like someone copy-pasted a chunk of medieval England and hit refresh in northern Illinois.
The interior is just as impressive as the outside, with vaulted ceilings, grand fireplaces, and stonework that would make modern contractors question their career choices. Groups can actually rent the facility for retreats, camps, and events, which means you could potentially eat your breakfast cereal in an actual castle dining hall.
How many people can say that?
The surrounding grounds are equally spectacular, with hiking trails winding through wooded areas and offering stunning views of the Rock River Valley. During summer, the castle hosts various programs and events, transforming from a quiet retreat into a bustling hub of activity.
Whether you’re interested in the architecture, the history, or just want to feel like medieval royalty for a day, Stronghold Castle delivers an experience that’s genuinely unforgettable and thoroughly Instagram-worthy.
3. RavenStone Castle – Harvard
Ever wanted to spend the night in a castle without maxing out your credit cards on a European vacation? RavenStone Castle in Harvard has entered the chat.
This relatively new addition to Illinois’ castle scene (completed in 2009) proves that medieval dreams don’t have an expiration date.
Built by a couple with serious vision and probably even more serious dedication, this Scottish-inspired fortress at 4504 IL-23 is the real deal, not a replica, but an authentic castle constructed using traditional methods and materials.
What sets RavenStone apart is its functioning bed-and-breakfast status, meaning you can actually sleep within those stone walls.
The castle features multiple guest rooms, each decorated with period-appropriate furnishings that transport you straight back to medieval times (minus the plague and questionable hygiene, thankfully). The great hall, complete with a massive fireplace and soaring ceilings, serves as the heart of the castle where guests gather for meals and merriment.
The exterior showcases impressive stonework, turrets, and architectural details that demonstrate serious craftsmanship. Every stone was hand-selected and placed with care, creating a structure that looks like it’s been standing for centuries rather than decades.
The grounds include gardens and walking paths that enhance the fairy-tale atmosphere, making it perfect for special events like weddings or proposals.
Guests rave about the authentic medieval experience, from the four-poster beds to the suit of armor standing guard in the hallway. The owners have created an immersive environment where modern amenities blend seamlessly with old-world charm.
Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, hosting a themed party, or just need to escape reality for a weekend, RavenStone Castle offers an experience that’s genuinely magical and surprisingly affordable compared to that Scotland trip you’ve been postponing.
4. John W. Cook Hall – Normal
Who says education can’t have a side of enchantment? John W.
Cook Hall at Illinois State University in Normal proves that college buildings don’t have to look like boring concrete boxes. This Victorian Gothic masterpiece, completed in 1894, resembles a castle far more than your typical academic hall, with its red brick towers, turrets, and ornamental details that make students feel like they’re attending Hogwarts’ American cousin.
Named after John Williston Cook, who served as university president, this building was originally designed to house the entire university (simpler times, folks). The architecture features all the castle-worthy elements you’d hope for: pointed arch windows, decorative stonework, multiple towers reaching skyward, and enough Gothic Revival details to satisfy any architecture enthusiast.
The central tower particularly stands out, serving as a landmark visible across campus and the surrounding community.
Located in the heart of campus in Normal, IL 61790, Cook Hall has survived over a century of Midwest weather, student shenanigans, and architectural trends that came and went. The building has been renovated multiple times to modernize its interior while preserving that spectacular exterior that makes it a campus icon.
Today it houses administrative offices, but its real job is making everyone who passes by stop and stare.
The building looks particularly stunning during golden hour when the setting sun illuminates those red bricks and casts dramatic shadows from the towers. Students regularly use it as a backdrop for graduation photos, and it’s become synonymous with the university’s identity.
Fun fact: the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, officially recognizing what everyone already knew—this place is special. It’s proof that functional buildings can also be fantastical, and that sometimes the best castles are hiding in plain sight on college campuses.
5. Villa Kathrine – Quincy
Forget everything you thought you knew about Midwestern architecture because Villa Kathrine is about to blow your mind. Sitting majestically at 532 Gardner Expy in Quincy, this Moroccan-Mediterranean palace looks like it was magically transported from the shores of the Mediterranean and plopped down overlooking the Mississippi River.
Built in 1900 by George Metz, a local resident who traveled extensively through North Africa and fell head-over-heels for Moorish architecture, this isn’t just a castle—it’s a full-blown architectural love letter to exotic lands.
The exterior features everything that makes Moorish design so captivating: brilliant white stucco walls, geometric patterns, ornate tile work, horseshoe arches, and a distinctive tower that serves as the building’s crown jewel. The attention to authentic detail is staggering, from the decorative tiles imported from overseas to the intricate plasterwork that adorns walls and ceilings.
Metz didn’t just build a house; he created an immersive experience that transports visitors straight to another continent.
The interior is equally spectacular, with rooms flowing into each other through arched doorways, each space decorated with period-appropriate furnishings and details. The tower offers panoramic views of the Mississippi River and the surrounding bluffs, making it the perfect spot for contemplating life’s mysteries or just taking really impressive photos.
The building served various purposes over the years, including a tourist information center, and today operates as a museum and event space.
What makes Villa Kathrine truly special is how completely unexpected it is. You’re driving through quintessential small-town Illinois, and suddenly—bam!—there’s a Moroccan palace commanding the riverfront like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
The juxtaposition is delightful and slightly surreal in the best possible way. It’s become Quincy’s most iconic landmark and a testament to one man’s vision and determination to bring a piece of the world he loved back home.
6. The Givins Castle – Chicago
Hidden in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood stands a genuine Irish castle that makes you wonder if you accidentally took a wrong turn and ended up in County Cork. The Givins Castle, located at 10244 S Longwood Dr, was built in 1887 by Robert C.
Givins, a real estate developer who clearly understood that if you’re going to build a house, you might as well build a castle. This limestone beauty features all the castle essentials: turrets, battlements, arched windows, and stonework so impressive it’ll make you want to learn masonry.
The castle’s architecture draws heavily from Irish castle design, which makes sense given Givins’ heritage and the neighborhood’s strong Irish-American roots. The exterior showcases rough-cut limestone blocks that give it that authentic fortress feel, while the towers and crenellations add just the right amount of medieval flair.
It’s substantial without being overbearing, managing to fit into the residential streetscape while still commanding attention from everyone who passes by.
Beverly’s Ridge Historic District, where the castle resides, is known for its diverse architectural styles, but Givins Castle still manages to stand out as the neighborhood’s crown jewel. The area sits on one of Chicago’s highest points, giving the castle an appropriately elevated position that any medieval lord would approve of.
The surrounding mature trees and well-maintained gardens enhance the castle’s storybook quality, especially during spring when everything blooms.
While the castle remains a private residence (so no uninvited castle tours, please), it’s still possible to admire its exterior from the street. The building has been meticulously maintained over the decades, preserving its historic character while adapting to modern living needs.
It’s a favorite stop on architectural tours of the Beverly area and proves that Chicago’s architectural treasures extend far beyond downtown skyscrapers. Sometimes the best castles are the ones hiding in residential neighborhoods, waiting to surprise unsuspecting passersby.
7. Old Main (Eastern Illinois University) – Charleston
Standing tall and proud at 600 Lincoln Ave in Charleston, Old Main at Eastern Illinois University is what happens when Victorian architects decide that education deserves a castle. Completed in 1899, this red brick beauty combines Richardsonian Romanesque and Victorian Gothic styles into one magnificent structure that makes every other campus building look like it’s not even trying.
With its prominent central tower, multiple turrets, and intricate brickwork, Old Main doesn’t just house classrooms—it houses dreams wrapped in castle-worthy architecture.
The building’s most striking feature is undoubtedly its tower, which soars skyward like it’s trying to high-five passing clouds. This architectural exclamation point serves as a beacon visible across campus and throughout Charleston, essentially announcing that education is happening here and it’s happening in style.
The tower’s design includes decorative elements, arched windows, and a clock that’s been keeping time for over a century, making it both functional and fabulous.
The exterior showcases masterful brickwork with contrasting stone trim that highlights windows, doorways, and architectural details. Multiple turrets dot the roofline, giving the building that castle silhouette that makes architecture students weak in the knees.
The entrance features a grand archway that welcomes students, faculty, and visitors into a building that takes education seriously enough to dress it up in castle clothes.
Old Main has survived fires, renovations, and over 120 years of Midwest weather while maintaining its status as the heart and soul of Eastern Illinois University. The building houses administrative offices and serves as the university’s most recognizable symbol, appearing on everything from brochures to graduation announcements.
Students love it, alumni remember it fondly, and visitors can’t help but stop and stare. It’s proof that when you build something beautiful and meaningful, it becomes more than just a building—it becomes a beloved landmark that defines an entire community and makes college feel just a little more magical.