Secret Missouri Castle Few Know Exists

Kennett’s Castle is high on a bluff with a setting fit for a king.

There is a castle high on a high on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River about an hour south of St. Louis. It’s called Kennett’s Castle by some, Selma Hall by others. It stands near Festus and was put on the market around 2020 for a cool $24-million. This castle is a house that movies are made of, but is likely one of the least known historical homes in the state.

Selma Hall (Kennett’s Castle) near Festus

Also see: The Most Bizarre Castle in Missouri

Selma Hall (aka Kennett’s Castle) Specs

Selma Hall is a 12,000 square foot home with 9-bedrooms situated on approximately 2,400 acres adjacent to the Mississippi River. It was built for the wealthy and influential Kennett family who made their fortune in steamboats and lead mining. In fact, the design was based off of a castle near Lake Como in Italy. Interestingly, it even hosted royalty since it was built back in 1850.

The property had changed hands over the years, including being owned by Robert Somers Brookings, who founded the Brookings Institution. The castle was later acquired by the Union Pacific railroad company, which turned it into a space for corporate retreats. The property even has it’s own golf course which is known as Crystal Highlands. It also has an entertainment complex, and meeting space. You can see the logo for the course still has the castle included.

The castle was sold in 2021, although the buyer has remained a secret. The only clues as to the new owners are Jefferson County property tax records which show much of the land was purchased by Selma Farm LLC which is registered as an events corporation in Texas.