Yes, Illinois has real castles—here’s how to tour them

Bettendorf Castle 

Location: Fox River Grove

In 1931, Luxembourg immigrant Theodore “Teddy” Bettendorf began hand-building a fairy-tale castle in Fox River Grove, inspired by Vianden Castle from his homeland. For 36 years, he collected and used stones from local farms, quarries, and Lake Julian. Today, the castle hosts weddings, events, and seasonal tours by appointment. While the interior is private, visitors are welcome to explore the grounds.

Soderstrom Castle 

Location: Peoria Heights

The castle was designed in1892 by Helen Chubbuck Lusk and her husband, reflecting a blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles inspired by their travels. It was built in the1920s by European-trained craftsmen, and features a moat, towers, and cobblestone drive. A highlight of the house is the crystal chandelier from the “Gone with the Wind” set, purchased at an MGM auction in the 1970s. Although the castle is privately owned, it opens for holiday events, photo sessions, and tours by appointment.

Dunham Castle 

Location: Wayne

The castle was built by horse breeder Mark W. Dunham as the centerpiece of Oaklawn Farm. When it was inherited by his son, it was renovated into a French-style château. It was convertedinto four apartments in 1953 and remained multi-unit for decades. In 1976, the Griffin family hoped to turn it into a museum. Plans stalled. The Armbrusts began restoring it in the 1980s, but lost it to foreclosure. A new owner in 2013 completed renovations. The fully restored castle is a private residence and is closed to the public.

Givins Castle 

Location: Chicago–Beverly

The limestone castle, built in 1886 by lawyer and developer Robert C. Givins, has had only five owners. The house, inspired by ancestral Irish designs, is privately owned and occasionally featured in neighborhood architecture tours.

RavenStone Castle 

Location: Harvard

It’s a modern homage to medieval design! RavenStone was completed in 2001 by the Michel family, who actively participated in the construction and design. It operates as a bed-and-breakfast with four themed rooms. Guests enjoy European-style breakfasts, tea-party events, and castle tours on select dates.

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Stronghold Castle 

Location: Oregon

Oregon, IL's Stronghold Castle was constructed atop the Rock River bluffs between 1928-1930 for Chicago Daily News publisher Walter Strong. It was sold in the early 1960s to the Presbyterian Church, and functions as a year-round retreat center offering summer camps, retreats, Olde English Faire festivals, and guided castle tours.

Warner Castle 

Location: Orion

The stone mansion built in 1893 by banker and publisher Horatio Gates Warner features a spiral staircase and 27 acres of woods. The surrounding gardens are public parkland, while the castle houses the Landmark Society’s offices and offers first-floor tours by appointment.

The Castle

Location: Lexington

The David Hyatt Van Dolah House, known as “The Castle,” was built in 1898 for Van Dolah, a well-known landowner and horse broker. The design reflects the ornate Queen Anne style popular at the time. The house joined the National Register of Historic Places in 2015 and remains a private residence.

Altgeld’s Castles 

Location: Illinois

Between 1895 and 1899, Illinois Gov. John Peter Altgeld championed Gothic Revival architecture on five public university campuses, including the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois State University in Normal, Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, and Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. Originally libraries, gymnasiums, and classrooms, these “castles” remain in academic use. Visitors can view them during campus open houses and public events.

Havencrest Castle 

Location: Savanna

The home thatnewspaper founders Simon and Frances Greenleaf had built in 1899 featured rare luxuries, including indoor plumbing, marble sinks, and a Tiffany chandelier. In 1976, Alan and Adrianne St. George transformed it into a 63-room castle filled with art and themed décor. Today, it opens seasonally for tours and special events.