Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Central Asia yurt night stars
Uzbekistan • 15 days, 14 nights
Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars
from
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The Eye of God at Newchurch in Pendle
St. Govor’s Well.
St. Govor’s Well
Shivsrushti
Pierced domes of Hammam Seffarine.
Hammam Seffarine
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Cacio e pepe lasagna combines two classics.
C'è pasta... E pasta!
Spaghetto taratatà is named for the sound of rattling sabers.
Giano Restaurant
The gnocchi here get blanketed in a sugo with braised oxtail.
Cesare al Pellegrino
Romans insist you should feel the cracked peppercorns and cheese grains on your tongue.
Flavio al Velavevodetto
Tripe is fried to a crisp.
L’Osteria della Trippa
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
25 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
26 days ago
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
27 days ago
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?
28 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Tennessee Alcoa Millennium Manor Castle
AO Edited

Millennium Manor Castle

One man’s religious convictions led him to build this stone castle meant to withstand an apocalypse.

Alcoa, Tennessee

Added By
Jenny Sanchez
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Front exterior   LongDayswithJenny / Atlas Obscura User
Front exterior   LongDayswithJenny / Atlas Obscura User
Side exterior   LongDayswithJenny / Atlas Obscura User
The Copper Room   LongDayswithJenny / Atlas Obscura User
  LongDayswithJenny / Atlas Obscura User
Dining Room   LongDayswithJenny / Atlas Obscura User
  LongDayswithJenny / Atlas Obscura User
  mmcastle / Atlas Obscura User
  mmcastle / Atlas Obscura User
  mmcastle / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

William Andrew Nicholson spent nearly a decade constructing this mysterious castle. In 1937, at the age of 61, he began building the Tennessee home by hand with some assistance from his wife Emma Fair. The Nicholsons believed that Armageddon (apocalypse from the Book of Revelations) was coming, and built their home to withstand whatever forces might come. Constriction was completed in 1946, and the building was dubbed the Millennium Manor Castle.

Nicholson used his flatbed truck to pick up a gray stone that can be found in the neighborhood and pink stone from a local quarry. The entire structure is made of thick stone surfaces. The exterior walls are more than two feet thick, and the interior walls are at least 19 inches thick. The floors are more than four feet of stone, and the roof weighs in at more than 400 tons. Outside the house is a well that measures some six stories deep. A stone wall encloses the castle and the surrounding land.

Unfortunately, Nicholson never got to see whether the apocalypse arrived as he expected. He passed away in 1965 and he did not leave a will, because he thought he would live for eternity. The Nicholson property was abandoned and vandalized for years.  

Current owners Dean and Karen Fontaine purchased the home for $40,000 in 1995, after hearing about the sale of the property from the local news. Fontaine was a firefighter and was intrigued by the idea of a house that wouldn’t burn down. The Fontaines reported hauling off eight containers of trash and debris before they started restoration work.

They are currently remodeling the property, they are in the process of updating all of the rooms. Fontaine has added battlements to the tops of the original exterior walls and made additions to the courtyard. Locals have stopped by and donated medieval-style weapons and swords to add to their collection and the new castle's aesthetic. The Fontaine originally wanted to live in the home, but they decided to open it up for public tours. In 2019 they registered with the National Registry of Historic Places. 

Fontaine is currently writing a book about Millennium Manor Castle with some of the interesting things he has learned about the property. Local lore is that the Nicholsons may be buried on the property in an unmarked grave. Emma Fair is believed to be buried in the walls. The Fontaines state that the Nicholsons have been laid to rest at the nearby Clark's Grove Cemetery.  

Related Tags

Eccentric Homes Architectural Oddities Castles Homes

Know Before You Go

The Fontaines have recently decided to offer public guided tours on summer weekends from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tours are $15 per person, with a maximum of $40 for up to 8 people. Other times by appointment at 865-255-6970 

Outside of the tours, you can see the outside but remember it’s a private residence so don’t enter the grounds unless the sign says it’s open.

Community Contributors

Added By

LongDayswithJenny

Edited By

bekindnomad, mmcastle

  • bekindnomad
  • mmcastle

Published

August 18, 2021

Updated

July 12, 2022

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.thedailytimes.com/news/tour-alcoa-s-millennium-manor-castle-from-may-25-27/article_1709d05e-5a87-5c5f-97bd-897cb103a11c.html
Millennium Manor Castle
500 N Wright Rd
Alcoa, Tennessee, 37701
United States
35.78025, -83.965276
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

S.S. Sultana Memorial

Knoxville, Tennessee

miles away

The Great Smoky Mountains' 'Missing Link'

Townsend, Tennessee

miles away

Rubik’s Cube

Knoxville, Tennessee

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Tennessee

Tennessee

United States

Places 175
Stories 15

Nearby Places

S.S. Sultana Memorial

Knoxville, Tennessee

miles away

The Great Smoky Mountains' 'Missing Link'

Townsend, Tennessee

miles away

Rubik’s Cube

Knoxville, Tennessee

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Tennessee

Tennessee

United States

Places 175
Stories 15

Related Places

  • Areguá, Paraguay

    Castillo Carlota Palmerola

    An unlikely neo-Gothic castle in the Paraguayan countryside.

  • Iulia Hasdeu Castle.

    Câmpina, Romania

    Iulia Hasdeu Castle

    This eccentric folly house was designed by Romanian thinker Bogdan-Petriceicu Hasdeu, with a helping hand from his deceased daughter's spirit.

  • Lanarch Castle, Dunedin.

    Dunedin, New Zealand

    Larnach Castle

    One of New Zealand’s few castles boasts beautiful gardens, grand architecture, and a history filled with family drama.

  • Curwood Castle.

    Owosso, Michigan

    Curwood Castle

    The writing studio of an American adventure author, built in the style of a medieval castle.

  • Burg Frankenstein

    Mühltal, Germany

    Castle Frankenstein

    The birthplace of an eccentric alchemist and possible inspiration for the fictional reanimator of monsters.

  • Pena National Palace

    Sintra, Portugal

    Pena National Palace

    This unreal Portuguese palace looks as though it's made from a pile of different castles.

  • Rocchetta Mattei.

    Riola, Italy

    Rocchetta Mattei

    Sitting on an Italian hilltop is this surreal fortress built by the mad inventor of electrohomeopathy.

  • Castello di Amorosa

    Calistoga, California

    Castello di Amorosa

    California's own medieval Italian castle, authentic down to the 300-year-old iron maiden in the dungeon.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.