Stokes Castle, Three-story stone tower in Austin, Nevada.
Stokes Castle is a three-story stone tower in Austin, Nevada, constructed from granite with individual fireplaces on each floor and balconies extending from the upper levels. The residence combines Renaissance Revival and Mediterranean Revival architectural elements and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Anson Phelps Stokes built this summer residence in 1897, basing its design on an ancient tower he discovered while traveling in Italy. Its construction coincided with the peak of western mining wealth, when successful industrialists sought to showcase their fortune through grand architectural projects.
The structure reflects how wealthy American industrialists of the 1890s drew inspiration from European architecture to create grand homes during the western mining boom. It shows the lasting impact that travel to Italy had on the design choices of the era's most prominent business leaders.
The interior remains closed to visitors, but you can view the exterior from different angles and photograph the stone facade. The grounds are best accessed on foot, and the light is particularly good for photography during early morning and late afternoon hours.
The castle served as a residence for only two months before the Stokes family departed permanently, abandoning it fully furnished. This brief occupation and sudden abandonment make it a curious survivor from the era of mining-driven wealth.
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