Discover This Must-See Magnificent Castle Found in Missouri

Most people don’t automatically think of Missouri when castles are mentioned, and yet, it’s home to a beautiful but private castle. This castle feels like stepping back in time. Follow along to learn more about this must-see magnificent castle found in Missouri.

Are There Castles in Missouri?

Missouri is surprisingly home to more than a dozen picturesque and stunning castles. One of the most popular castles in Missouri is the Ha Ha Tonka Castle Ruins in the Ha Ha Tonka State Park. The ruins are like nothing you’ve ever seen before. This stone castle is lovely to visit and gives an impressive view of the Lake of the Ozarks and Ha Ha Tonka Spring. This castle isn’t the only one in the state though.

Another popular and breathtaking castle found in Missouri is the Pythian Home of Missouri in Springfield. This lovely castle was built in 1913. Previously, the U.S. Army owned the entire castle, which was used in World War II. This privately owned castle sits on about 2.66 acres of land. Not only is it open for tours, but also as an event space.

Although incredible, the two castles discussed above are just a fraction of the castles in Missouri.

About Sky High Castle

Have you ever heard of Sky High Castle? It’s a castle found in Missouri, specifically historic Joplin. This beautiful European-style stone castle overlooks the Shoal Creek Valley. Not a lot is known about the castle’s history. Construction on this lovely residence began in 1927 and was completed in 1930. The owner designed the Sky High Castle after traveling to Europe and feeling inspired. The castle sits on about 15 to 20 acres of land. Although impressive, it’s not open to the public. Although tempting, stay away from this medieval-looking residence.

Best Time to Visit Joplin, MO

While you can’t visit this castle found in Missouri, the city is still a great place to visit. This city has a population of about 51,000 and a surface area of 38.21 square miles. Although only incorporated in 1873, Joplin has a longer history. It was first discovered in the early 19th century and the first mining camps were established in 1871.

The best time to visit this historic city is June through August. This is perfect if you’re looking to spend time outside exploring and enjoying the warm Missouri weather. If you want cooler weather, you can visit from April through October. This is more than enough time to view the leaves changing with the passing season.

While Joplin isn’t the largest city in the state, there is still a lot to do and see. For instance, just 15 miles away from Joplin is the George Washington Carver National Monument. While visiting Joplin, you can also go to the Grand Falls, scenic and refreshing waterfalls. They are open for swimming, fishing, and hiking. If you like museums, you can also plan a trip to the Joplin History & Mineral Museum in Schifferdecker Park.

Where Is Joplin, MO Located on a Map?

Joplin is located in the Ozark region of southwestern Missouri. It is adjacent to Webb City, close to the borders of Kansas and Oklahoma. Most of the city is in Jasper County, with the southern part situated in Newton County. Joplin is the main hub of the Joplin-Miami, Missouri-Oklahoma Metro area and it is on historic Route 66.

Wildlife in Joplin, MO

Although you can’t visit Sky High Castle, you can visit the area and possibly view wildlife. This castle is in the Redings Mill area, which is also surrounded by green forests. Follow along to discover some animals you may encounter while visiting this area.

White-Tailed Deer

A common animal in Joplin is the white-tailed deer. The white-tailed deer is a North American medium-sized deer species divided into multiple sub-species. They are very common in Missouri and have a wide range. You can find these deer from Canada, all the way down to northern South America.

White-tailed deer are shy animals. Although common in the state, they are known to flee when spotted. Although typically reddish-brown, their coats change color depending on the season. White-tailed deer in fall and winter have darker and duller coats. They range in size and features. However, most are between 150 to 300 pounds. Some of the smallest white-tailed deer live in the Florida Keys. They are around 77 to 110 pounds.

Red Fox

Another animal that lives near this castle in Missouri is the red fox. Red foxes are common across North America. They are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Red foxes, like white-tailed deer, also vary in size and coloration. They aren’t entirely red. Instead, red foxes also have white patches of fur on their chests and bellies which reach to their faces. They also have black or brown fur on their legs, tails, and sometimes the tips of their ears. Red foxes are great communicators. They use a lot of sounds that can be heard from long distances.

Coyote

Another mammal to make this list is the coyote. Coyotes have a large range. They are native to North America. Like the previous two animals on this list, they are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Coyotes vary in size. They can weigh as little as 19 pounds or as much as 40 pounds. These fast and flexible canines are excellent hunters. They aren’t picky eaters and consume anything from rabbits, snakes, deer, birds, and fish.

Red-Winged Blackbird

Next on our list is the red-winged blackbird. This blackbird is found all across the United States. They are one of the most common bird species. You can easily identify this bird species as males have dark black-blue wings with red shoulder patches. They are too bright to miss.

Red-winged blackbirds also have a small yellow patch on their shoulders. Males are larger than females. For example, female red-winged blackbirds can weigh as little as one ounce, while males can reach up to 2.6 ounces, nearly three times the size of a female!