Preston School of Industry

The Preston School of Industry is a former reform school in Ione, Amador County, California. The complex includes a large main building in Romanesque Revival style with four stories, round towers, and a facade of reddish sandstone.

The facility received its first seven young inmates in 1894, previously held at San Quentin, and aimed to prepare them for life after detention through education and trades. After more than a century of operation, it closed permanently in 2011.

Locals often refer to the building simply as Preston Castle and it draws photographers and history enthusiasts from across the region today. The massive stone structure stands empty on a hillside and recalls a time when people believed in reform through discipline and work.

Guided tours of the abandoned main building take place from April through August and last around 90 minutes. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear, as many rooms remain unrestored and some floors are damaged.

A small cemetery within the grounds holds 18 graves of young residents who died during their stay. Some of the headstones carry only names and a year of death, with no further information about the lives of those buried there.

Location: California

Architectural style: Romanesque Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 38.36111,-120.93583

Latest update: December 14, 2025 21:00