A Castle on the Rhine in Texas

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Some houses are homes, and some are statements. Cottonland Castle is definitely the latter. Construction began in 1890, but the owner's vision was so ambitious that it took over twenty years to complete, finally finishing in 1913.

The goal? To create a home that resembled a German castle on the Rhine River, right here in the heart of Texas. It's a whimsical, towering structure that echoes Waco's early days as a thriving cotton market.

After decades of disuse and falling into disrepair, the property was purchased by Chip and Joanna Gaines to be restored to its former glory. As you walk past, imagine the sheer determination it took to build a fairytale castle in the middle of a cotton town.

Updated June 2026