Selma Hall (Kennett’s Castle)

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 Selma Hall by some, Kennett’s Castle 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 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 its construction way 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 once known as Crystal Highlands, then later changed to Castle Ridge. It also has an entertainment complex, and meeting space. 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.

Slideshow photos courtesy of Library of Congress, circa 1934