Stokes Castle Austin Nevada Historic Landmark

Stokes Castle, a tower made of granite rock blocks, was built in 1897 by mining baron Anson Phelps Stokes as a summer residence but was only used for a few months. Stokes sold the Castle, the nearby mine, and the surrounding property soon after completion.

Stokes Castle had three floors and a rooftop viewing area. The ground floor featured a dining room and adjoining kitchen, while the second floor served as a living room. Two bedrooms were located on the third floor, each with a balcony. Additionally, Stokes Castle was equipped with a functional plumbing system.

Over the years, Stokes Castle has fallen into disrepair and changed several owners. At one point, there was a plan to move the Castle to Las Vegas as a tourist attraction, but the deal never came to fruition. Unfortunately, today, the Castle is nothing more than a shell. The roof and all floors have collapsed, and the balconies are long gone.

Stokes Castle is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Nearby the tower, you can find the remains of the silver mines that drew Anson Stokes to the area. A few foundations from the mining camp of Clifton are in a valley below the building. Most residents moved to the larger town of Austin when the Clifton mill shut down. If you take Big Creek Road off Highway 50, you will find what is left of Clifton.

Stokes Castle is a historic site overlooking the rural town of Austin, Nevada. Austin is a small ghost town with just a few hundred residents. Still, it is rich in history and home to several attractions, including Stokes Castle, several churches, and the International Hotel – the oldest in Nevada.

Austin has a few restaurants and even fewer lodging options. However, there are several nearby campgrounds and RV parks if you wish to stay in the area and explore.

Getting to Stokes Castle Austin, Nevada

Austin, Nevada, is located in the middle of Nevada along Route 50—one hundred seventy-five miles from Reno (3 hours) and 325 miles from Las Vegas.

Stokes Castle is located off Route 50 along Castle Road. The turnoff is next to the Chevron Station. The road to Stokes Castle has graded dirt and can be made in any vehicle except during snow.

Nearby Attractions Stokes Castle

There are several historic buildings in town, some in disrepair, some restored. Nearby Spencer Hot Springs is a great place to soak in mineral water. Other points of interest are the Hickson Summit petroglyph site twenty-four miles east of Austin and Toquima Cave with Native American cave paintings.

If you are staying in Austin, Belmont Ghost Town is about a two-hour drive and well worth a look.

Belmont Ghost Town

Although the silver mining town of Belmont only prospered for about 20 years, a few notable points of interest exist, including the best-preserved building, the courthouse.

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