A Look at Medieval Castles in America

During a period of time from the late 18this now a museum.
century to the early 20th century much of theAs we move away from New England and west
world went through a period of time, in terms ofacross the country we find many more castles
architecture, called the Gothic Revival. This revivalthat were built near large industrial cities where
was a renewed interest in the architecture andtheir builders usually made their riches. One of the
styling of buildings during the Middle Ages. Themost remarkable of these is Boldt Castle located
focus was on the late period castles that wereon Heart Island in New York. The builder was the
more of a manor home than a fortress.proprietor of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New
This period of time also matched a period of veryYork City. Another noted castle is one in Michigan
high prosperity in the United States and therecalled Curwood Castle. James Oliver Curwood who
were many wealthy individuals and organizationswas a very famous writer of adventure stories
that built castles fashioned in this Gothic Revivalbuilt it. Grey Towers Castle was built by two
style. Technically, very few of these buildings canbrothers in the sugar refinery business and is
be called true castles because they weren't builtlocated in a suburb of Philadelphia. It is a National
with defense and armament in mind; They werehistoric Landmark and is currently open to tours
more designed as manor houses but they stilland is quite a large and magnificent structure.
incorporated all of the wonderful and impressiveHenderson Castle located in Kalamazoo Michigan is
architectural style that we come to associate withanother spectacular structure that is also now a
true castles. Many of them remain to this day andbed and breakfast.
have found unique ways to continue to flourish.As we travel across the continent we come
Some are museums, some are bed andfinally to California which was a mecca for money,
breakfasts, some are wineries, and others are stillpower, and castle building. There are many
living quarters. Here is a short list of some ofstructures that are still being used today and
these beautiful structures.notable of these is Castello Di Amorosa, which is
New England, being the oldest part of the country,a working winery.
was also one of the richest during the gothicWe end our look at some of the castles in
revival and there are many impressive castlesAmerica at one of the most famous, and most
peppered throughout the New England states. Theopulent. This is Hearst Castle located in San
most famous of all of the locations is NewportSimeon California. It was built by the media mogul
Rhode Island where Belcourt Castle, TheWilliam Randolph Hearst and epitomized the power
Breakers, and Ochre Court can be found. Belcourtand money of early Twentieth century politics
Castle is a legitimate castle and The Breakers andand Hollywood. It is open to the public and is
Ochre Court are mansions. These buildings are asomething that every medieval enthusiast should
testament to the wealth generated by early 20thsee.
century manufacturing. Nearby Massachusetts alsoWhen we think of medieval castles images of
has its share and one of the most notable ismountain top structures in England and Germany
Herreshoff Castle in Marblehead. It was built in thecome to mind but America has also built its share
early 20th century and is fashioned after a castleof these magnificent structures. There are literally
built by the famous Viking Lief Erickson and it ishundreds, and many of them are still in use today
now a bed and breakfast. Also of note inas bed and breakfasts or museums. So if you
Massachusetts is Hammond Castle, which iswant to see a medieval castle but don't have the
located in Gloucester. The inventor Johnmoney to travel to Europe there are probably
Hammond built it in the early 20th century and itsome beautiful options right in your home state.