Arkansas might be the last place you’d expect to find a medieval fortress, but the Natural State is full of unexpected surprises, including, you guessed it, an Ozark medieval fortress! When work began on the unique site, it was slated to be a must-see attraction. Unfortunately, it was never completed. This Arkansas castle is now abandoned, serving as a reminder of what almost was.

Ozark Medieval Fortress – more specifically, its ruins – is located just off the highway in the tiny town of Lead Hill.

Grand Central USA!/Flickr

The fortress was the brainchild of Michel Guylot, an amateur archaeologist with a passion for castle restoration.

MRHSfan/Flickr

Pretty elaborate, the site was set to include a castle with towers rising 70 feet in the air, a drawbridge, and 6-foot-thick walls surrounding an interior courtyard.

Al Turner/Flickr

The most distinguishing feature, though, is that it was all going to be built using only the techniques and tools of 13th-century European castle builders.

Kari Nousiainen/Flickr

Surprisingly, the Ozark Medieval Fortress wasn’t Guylot’s first attempt to build a medieval castle using accurate construction methods.

MRHSfan/Flickr

He’s also behind Guédelon Castle in France, which has been under construction since 1997.

Stéphane D/Wikimedia

And just like its French counterpart, the construction of the Ozark Medieval Fortress was expected to be a lengthy process.

MRHSfan/Flickr

With a full-time team of 30 artisans, along with volunteers, the project was slated to take 20 years, meaning it wouldn’t be complete until 2030!

MRHSfan/Flickr

Almost immediately after breaking ground, visitors were allowed on-site to observe the costumed artisans at work.

MRHSfan/Flickr

Animals and livestock were also incorporated into the site, adding to the old-fashioned vibes.

Al Turner/Flickr

Though things got off to a great start, work on the fortress came to a halt in 2012, just a few years after it began and more than 10 years short of its expected completion date.

MRHSfan/Flickr

So, why did the project come to a halt? Apparently, there was a lack of funds. And without a buyer or investor, there was no other option but to cease construction.

Al Turner/Flickr

Left untouched for years, the site seems as if it’s frozen in time…and it’s eerily fascinating.

Shea Douglas/Google

Take a look at the ambition and passion that went into this Ozark castle before it was abandoned:

Grand Central USA!/Flickr

MRHSfan/Flickr

Al Turner/Flickr

Kari Nousiainen/Flickr

Stéphane D/Wikimedia

Al Turner/Flickr

Shea Douglas/Google

Want to explore the remnants of the Ozark Medieval Fortress? Follow this map to the royal-themed ruins.

So, did you know about this castle in Arkansas? Did you visit during its construction? If so, what’d you think? Know of another interesting abandoned place? Tell us in the comments!

Looking for another eerily fascinating spot to explore? Here are some of the most interesting abandoned places in Arkansas.

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Address: 1671 AR-14 N, Lead Hill, AR 72644, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

The Creepiest Places in Arkansas February 01, 2023 William Suphan What are the most abandoned places in Arkansas? The most abandoned places in Arkansas include:

Rush. This was a zinc mining town and there are a few structures left which are all that remain of the state’s zinc mining past. Napoleon. This was the county seat for Desha County and was written about by Mark Twain who had heard that $10,000 was secreted away here. Monte Ne. Located at Beaver Lake, this was once a health resort in the 1930s but all that is left are the foundations of the buildings. Graysonia. This was a booming timber town but is now a collection of rings that are being reclaimed by nature.

Learn more about the most abandoned places in Arkansas.  What are the most haunted places in Arkansas? The most haunted places in Arkansas include:

Arkansas Tech University in Russellville. It is said this place is built on a Cherokee burial site and students report hearing noises in the attic. Bauxite Historical Association Museum in Bauzite. This place was built in 1927 and is reportedly one of the most haunted places in the state.  Highway 365. There is an urban legend that a woman appears on stormy nights and when given a ride, she provides an address and when they arrive, she has vanished. Mr. Lyle’s House in Jonesboro. There are reports of friendly child ghosts who run and play here and sometimes appear smiling at people.

Discover more about the most haunted places in Arkansas.  What are the most terrifying places in Arkansas? The most terrifying places in Arkansas include:

1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa in Eureka Springs. This hotel has ghost tours and it is rumored to be haunted by both friendly and hostile ghosts. Arkansas Tuberculosis Sanitorium in Booneville. While there are tours of the lower floors, the upper abandoned floors are said to be haunted. Natural Steps in Roland. People who come here at night claim to see the ghost of Martha Sanders, who drowned herself in the river after her groom died. Old Spanish Treasure Cave in Sulphur Springs. It is rumored that the ghosts of Native Americas who were killed by Coronado roam here.

Find out more about the most terrifying places in Arkansas. 

The OIYS Visitor Center

The Creepiest Places in Arkansas

February 01, 2023

William Suphan

What are the most abandoned places in Arkansas? The most abandoned places in Arkansas include:

Rush. This was a zinc mining town and there are a few structures left which are all that remain of the state’s zinc mining past. Napoleon. This was the county seat for Desha County and was written about by Mark Twain who had heard that $10,000 was secreted away here. Monte Ne. Located at Beaver Lake, this was once a health resort in the 1930s but all that is left are the foundations of the buildings. Graysonia. This was a booming timber town but is now a collection of rings that are being reclaimed by nature.

Learn more about the most abandoned places in Arkansas.  What are the most haunted places in Arkansas? The most haunted places in Arkansas include:

Arkansas Tech University in Russellville. It is said this place is built on a Cherokee burial site and students report hearing noises in the attic. Bauxite Historical Association Museum in Bauzite. This place was built in 1927 and is reportedly one of the most haunted places in the state.  Highway 365. There is an urban legend that a woman appears on stormy nights and when given a ride, she provides an address and when they arrive, she has vanished. Mr. Lyle’s House in Jonesboro. There are reports of friendly child ghosts who run and play here and sometimes appear smiling at people.

Discover more about the most haunted places in Arkansas.  What are the most terrifying places in Arkansas? The most terrifying places in Arkansas include:

1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa in Eureka Springs. This hotel has ghost tours and it is rumored to be haunted by both friendly and hostile ghosts. Arkansas Tuberculosis Sanitorium in Booneville. While there are tours of the lower floors, the upper abandoned floors are said to be haunted. Natural Steps in Roland. People who come here at night claim to see the ghost of Martha Sanders, who drowned herself in the river after her groom died. Old Spanish Treasure Cave in Sulphur Springs. It is rumored that the ghosts of Native Americas who were killed by Coronado roam here.

Find out more about the most terrifying places in Arkansas. 

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

The most abandoned places in Arkansas include:

  • Rush. This was a zinc mining town and there are a few structures left which are all that remain of the state’s zinc mining past.
  • Napoleon. This was the county seat for Desha County and was written about by Mark Twain who had heard that $10,000 was secreted away here.
  • Monte Ne. Located at Beaver Lake, this was once a health resort in the 1930s but all that is left are the foundations of the buildings.
  • Graysonia. This was a booming timber town but is now a collection of rings that are being reclaimed by nature.

Learn more about the most abandoned places in Arkansas. 

What are the most haunted places in Arkansas?

The most haunted places in Arkansas include:

  • Arkansas Tech University in Russellville. It is said this place is built on a Cherokee burial site and students report hearing noises in the attic.
  • Bauxite Historical Association Museum in Bauzite. This place was built in 1927 and is reportedly one of the most haunted places in the state.
  • Highway 365. There is an urban legend that a woman appears on stormy nights and when given a ride, she provides an address and when they arrive, she has vanished.
  • Mr. Lyle’s House in Jonesboro. There are reports of friendly child ghosts who run and play here and sometimes appear smiling at people.

Discover more about the most haunted places in Arkansas. 

What are the most terrifying places in Arkansas?

The most terrifying places in Arkansas include:

  • 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa in Eureka Springs. This hotel has ghost tours and it is rumored to be haunted by both friendly and hostile ghosts.
  • Arkansas Tuberculosis Sanitorium in Booneville. While there are tours of the lower floors, the upper abandoned floors are said to be haunted.
  • Natural Steps in Roland. People who come here at night claim to see the ghost of Martha Sanders, who drowned herself in the river after her groom died.
  • Old Spanish Treasure Cave in Sulphur Springs. It is rumored that the ghosts of Native Americas who were killed by Coronado roam here.

Find out more about the most terrifying places in Arkansas.