Castles for Sale in America

The American Dream sometimes includes castles. When it does, no expense is spared. Unlike the castles of Europe and Asia, American castles have no history worth mentioning except for perhaps their stories of rugged individualists' wild dreams fulfilled. These castles were not built to protect a family or village from the enemy, nor were they built to house noble blood for centuries. These castles were built just because they could.

Now these castles are used as offices, ski lodges, tourist attractions, private residences, or wedding and event centers, ranging in price from $2.5 mil. USD to $24.5 mil. USD.

A medievally styled castle built in 1902, Kip's castle holds over 9,000 square feet of beautifully remodeled and completely modern office space, as well as a large kitchen and carriage house. After the builder (and initial owner) left, it was occupied by an Indian cult. It is presently used by a prestigious New Jersey law firm, and is owned and for sale by the same. Called an "elegant" and "unparalleled" piece of office property, Kip's castle is sure to combine the romantic historic notions of stone walls and turrets with the business-like and efficient conveniences of a modern workspace.

Kip's Castle is located on 10.5 acres in New Jersey. It lies on the boundary between Montclair and Verona, on the side of First Watchung Mountain. It possesses stunning views of the New York skyline, and is a mere 20 to 30 minutes away from Manhattan. The asking price is a negotiable $4,800,000 USD.

More information available from Viviun, an international lister of fine properties.

Dark Island, located in the Thousand Islands in Alexandria, New York, was the spot where Mr. Fredrick Bourne decided to build a surprise castle for his wife and nine children at the turn of the last century. It was to be used as an island hunting lodge for the millionaire's family, and the design was inspired by Sir. Walter Scott's fictional Woodstock Castle. The final product was much more than a hunting lodge, however. After hauling in over 2,000 loads of soil to cover the eight acres of solid rock the island was made of, and spending $500,000 dollars on design, materials, and construction, the Dark Island castle was massive. It has a dungeon with winding tunnels, three boathouses (one of which was a gigantic workhouse and storage unit for Bourne's steam-powered vessels), Italian-carved stone on the outside and stands four stories tall, holding twenty-eight rooms and a four story tower. The Great Hall itself is graced by massive stone pillars and arches, stone stairways spiraling to upwards with hand-carved balustrades, and a magnificent fireplace.

Bourne was employed in the Singer Sewing and Thread company and gradually worked his way to the top, eventually becoming President and Director. Singer Castle (formerly known as "The Towers" was the perfect place to entertain his prestigious guests, and he was well known for his spirit of adventure, racing around the island in his speed boats or racing through city streets in his 1906 Mercedes. He designed several steam engines, and was well-known as a sharp business man and charitable in his community.

Now the Singer Castle is used mainly as a tourist attraction and event center. Visit the Singer Castle Website for more photos of the interior and exterior, and details about its current uses. The owners are asking approximately $24,500,000 USD for it.

A crisp and frosty morning at Kataryna Castle near Sand Point, Idaho offers more than just a warm fire and king-sized armchairs for a cozy day of reading. Don your skis and lower the drawbridge, then slip out of your castle into a winter wonderland of slopes and powder, all in your backyard. Says the builder, "We have eight feet of snow right now (March). We ski out the rear draw bridge onto 2500 acres of ski terrain serviced by high speed chair lifts." In the summer, wild huckleberry bushes and alpine firs clothe the terrain.

Built in 1999, this castle attempts to mirror the fortresses of medieval Europe, complete with a torture chamber, drawbridge, hand soldered torches, a portcullis, and three towers. However, the central vac, heated driveway, indoor pool, and wine cellar will soon convince you that this is no medieval edifice. After one look at the cupcake-topped turrets frosted with white ice, you'll be certain you stepped into the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

One drawback is the simplistic faux-medieval emblems carved into the stone interior in various places, making this look more like a children's play-castle than a truly historical fortress.

Made up of 9,000 sq. feet, three bedrooms. Asking price $2,500,000 USD. Visit the Castle Kataryna website for more information.

Though beautiful and elegant, the castles for sale in America have little of the historical romanticism of truly medieval European castles. However, they certainly have plenty of potential for history in the making! Consider purchasing one of these castles as a heritage to pass on to your children's children, and we'll begin to see stories worth telling come out of these American castles.