Pythian Castle, Victorian commercial building in Arcata, California, US

Pythian Castle is a Queen Anne style commercial building in Arcata, California, built in 1884-85. Five projecting towers shape its exterior: two square towers rise from the center of the two street-fronting sides, and three round towers project from the street-side corners, the corner ones capped with witch-hat-shaped tops.

Built in 1884-85 for the North Star chapter of the Knights of Pythias, a fraternal order, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. Many of its details have changed over time, yet it was judged the only remaining Victorian commercial building in Arcata that has kept its architectural and historic character.

The building served as a gathering place for a fraternal organization dedicated to mutual aid and community service. Members assembled here for their meetings and strengthened their bonds with one another.

The building stands in Arcata, northwestern California, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is a commercial building, so the towers, shingled roofs and corner tops are seen from the street; the two square towers face the two street-fronting sides and the three round towers sit at the street-side corners.

The corner towers' "witch hat" tops once carried tall finials, and the two side towers had cresting along their rooflines; patterned shingles covered the tower roofs. These details have since been lost or altered, yet the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986 as Arcata's only remaining Victorian commercial building that has kept its architectural and historic character.