Preston Castle (Ione, California)

 vocational school, Romanesque (architecture), NRHP - National Register of Historic Places, historic landmark, tourist attraction

900 Palm Drive
Ione, CA 95640
(209) 256-3623

The Preston School of Industry, also known as Preston Castle, is one of the oldest and best-known reform schools in the United States. It is located in Ione, California, in Amador County.

The institution was opened in June 1894 when seven wards (juvenile offenders), were transferred there from San Quentin State Prison. The original building, known colloquially as "Preston Castle" (or simply "The Castle"), is the most significant example of Romanesque Revival architecture in the Mother Lode. It was vacated in 1960, shortly after new buildings had been constructed to replace it. The abandoned building has since been named a California Historical Landmark (#867) and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NPS-75000422).

www.prestoncastle.com/ ----> for private tours
prestoncastlehistory.blogspot.com/