Voorhies Castle

Voorhies Castle is a unique Victorian home located in the small community of Voorhies, Illinois, just south of Bement. Commissioned by Swedish immigrant Nels Larson in 1900 and completed in 1904, the house features a design reminiscent of a Swedish palatial manor with distinctive Queen Anne architectural elements. Its castle-like appearance, complete with round turrets and a grand entrance, has made it a local attraction. After Larson abandoned the house following his wife's death in 1914, it remained empty until the 1970s. The property also once included a clock tower barn, notable for its impressive height and a bell that could be heard from miles away, though it was destroyed by a tornado in 1976. Voorhies Castle was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, making it a significant site for both tourists and researchers interested in architectural history.