A Rhine River Dream

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Some people build a house; others build a fairy tale. Cottonland Castle took over twenty years to complete, with construction starting in 1890 and finally finishing in 1913. The goal was simple but ambitious: to create a home that resembled a German castle on the Rhine River.

It's a massive, historic landmark that echoes Waco's early days as a thriving cotton market, and it eventually lent its name to the entire Castle Heights neighborhood. After decades of disuse and falling into disrepair, it was purchased by Chip and Joanna Gaines for restoration. As you look at those towering walls, you can almost feel the ambition of the original builder who wanted a piece of Germany in the heart of Texas.

Updated June 2026