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Ione, California: Preston Castle - Haunted Boys Prison

A 4-story gothic horror of a prison for boys, Preston Castle was built in the 1890s. Owned by the state and popular for historic and ghost tours.

Address:
Palm Dr., Ione, CA
Directions:
Preston Youth Correctional. Off of Highway 104, at the end of Palm Drive.
Hours:
Mar. - Oct. 1st and 3rd Sa, 10 am - 1 pm. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
209-256-3623
Admission:
Advance tickets - Adults $10, 5-12 yrs old $5
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Visitor Tips and News About Preston Castle - Haunted Boys Prison

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Preston Castle.

Preston Castle - Haunted Boys Prison

Temporary home of Merle Haggard. No ghosts, because those don't exist except in the imagination. My maternal grandmother lived in the grounds as a young child with her parents in the early to mid-1920's; her dad, a WW-1 veteran, taught military drill/marching to the wards. Very cool place; worth a detour. Good photo ops even from outside the gates.

[Kurt, 07/15/2015]

Posing in costumes.

Preston Castle - Haunted Boys Prison

They have photographers day(s) where visitors dress up in costume to take advantage of the atmosphere. This building is red sandstone, and is the largest building of its kind constructed of this material. It has gargoyles and other appointments that lend itself to mystery and mayhem. They have Halloween sleep overs as well. Tours are on the first and third Saturdays if memory serves.

[Tom Herlihy, 08/23/2014]

Preston Castle.

Preston Castle - Haunted Boys Prison

We came through the area on a weekday, so no chance of touring. It is still worth the trip to see. You can't go up to the building since there is a locked gate, but you can work your way around on a street to the south perimeter, I think it is Waterford. We never saw "Palm" Drive. But if you follow "Preston" you'll see it in the distance and work your way there.

[Donna, 08/15/2013]

Ghostly corridor.

Preston Castle - Haunted Boys Prison

Very cool place -- definitely take the tour. It's been on many haunted shows. It has been home to a bunch of celebrities. The site of two murders.

[Liz, 08/07/2013]

Inside Presotn Castle.

Preston Castle - Haunted Boys Prison

Stayed overnight, lots of bats and a few ghosts!

[Steven Adkins, 06/03/2013]

Nearby Offbeat Places

Muffler ManMuffler Man, Sutter Creek, CA - 6 mi.
Swingle Meat CowSwingle Meat Cow, Jackson, CA - 8 mi.
World's Largest FiddleWorld's Largest Fiddle, Fiddletown, CA - 14 mi.
In the region:
Original Grinding Rock, Pine Grove, CA - 17 mi.

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