Wilson Castle

Simultaneously gorgeous and distinguished, this 19th-century estate is an example of Romanesque architecture that was so prevalent in affluent neighborhoods. It's also a sad example of living beyond one's means - built at a cost of $1,300,000 - especially extraordinary for the 1800s. Called "Johnson's Folly" for this reason, the furnishings and household items were either sold off or requisitioned by unpaid staff.