Pythian Castle has been listed on the
National Register of Historic Places!



History
The castle was originally built by the Knights of Pythias as an orphanage
and senior citizens home for its members and their families in 1913.
It was called the Pythian Home of Missouri. (See Census data links on side bar
for names of staff and residents here in 1920 and 1930). For an idea of life at the castle during that time, check out the interview with Mildred Hall Cherry, an orphan here during 1930's, by Springfield Magazine.

In 1942, the US military acquired the property by "Order of Immediate Possession" for use as offices and service club for recovering injured veterans from WWII. It became part of O'Reilly General Hospital. An invitation to 1943 Christmas Party here list all personnel working here at that time. The military maintained ownership of the property until 1993 when it was sold as "surplus".
A complete history can be found on our application for
National Registry of Historic Places.

Don't miss your chance to tour this historic building. 

HISTORICAL TOURS
9:30am (Mon - Sat)
11:00am (Mon- Sat)
12:30pm (Mon - Sat)
2:00pm (Mon - Sunday)
3:30pm (Mon - Sunday)
5:00pm (Mon - Thurs)

$7.50 persons 12 - 64
$5.00 Kids 5-12, Seniors 65 and older
Free under 5, over 90
drop-in, no reservation required
allow one hour for the tour

Custom Tours or Workshops
Custom tours or workshops can be arranged for your special needs.
Below are some of the options:

Student History and Activity Tours
$5 per student plus $150 per 45 minute activity
Possible activities include acting, singing, dancing, circus, martial arts

Mid-Week Luncheons and Tour
$16 per person plus tax (15 person minimum)
(Fee includes 2 hour time slot
additional time time billed at hourly rate)
available Monday thru Fridays 10:00am - 2:00pm

All other times by appointment only.
Call to confirm availability. 
Tours subject to cancellation during private rental of the building.