Stokes Castle
Started in the fall of 1896 and completed in June, 1897, by Ansom Phelps Stokes, mine developer, railroad magnate and member of a prominent eastern family, as a summer home for his sons, principally J.G. Phelps. After the castle (or the tower, as the Stokes family always referred to it) was completed, it was used by the family for one brief period in June and July, 1897. Since then, with one possible exception, the structure has remained unoccupied.
Stokes Castle is made of native granite, hewn and put in place by the ancestors of people still living in Austin. The huge stones were raised with a hand winch and held in position by rock wedging and clay mortar. The architectural model for the castle was a medieval tower Anson Stokes had seen and admired on an Italian campagna, near Rome. It originally had three floors, each with a fireplace, plate glass view windows, balconies on the second and third floors, and a battlemented terrace on the roof. It had plumbing very adequate for the times and was sumptuously furnished.
The structure stands as an abiding monument to the men who built it and to those who helped develop the mines of Austin. (Marker Number 59.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1897.
Location.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Austin (approx. 0.3 miles away); International Hotel (approx. 0.4 miles away); Austin City Hall (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Sazerac Lying Club (approx. half a mile away); Reese River Navigation Company (approx. half a mile away); Austin City Railway (approx. half a mile away); Votes for Women (approx. half a mile away); St. Augustine (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Austin.
Donated to the people of Lander County in memory of Molly Flagg Magee Knudtsen
by H.W. (Wally) Trapnell
May 2005
Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 15, 2008, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. This page has been viewed 1,255 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 15, 2008, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California.
