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All the United States Tennessee Greenback Fortress of Faith (Greenback Castle)

Fortress of Faith (Greenback Castle)

One man has spent decades faithfully constructing this unique brick and cinderblock castle.

Greenback, Tennessee

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Campbell Pack
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Exterior of Castle, with cemetery .   Campbell Pack / Atlas Obscura User
  atomicdecay / Atlas Obscura User
Bottle wall   mnsz7p76d4 / Atlas Obscura User
Welcome   mnsz7p76d4 / Atlas Obscura User
Creepiest room in the place   mnsz7p76d4 / Atlas Obscura User
Inside   mnsz7p76d4 / Atlas Obscura User
  Dangmustangg / Atlas Obscura User
Cool signage   mnsz7p76d4 / Atlas Obscura User
  atomicdecay / Atlas Obscura User
Fish scene on wall   mnsz7p76d4 / Atlas Obscura User
  Twisted / Atlas Obscura User
  Twisted / Atlas Obscura User
Junior will give you a personal tour. Bring him a sandwich.   Campbell Pack / Atlas Obscura User
Mr. Banks has collected precious Cherokee artifacts. over the years   Campbell Pack / Atlas Obscura User
Campbell pups on tour inside the turret.   Campbell Pack / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Found off the beaten path near Knoxville, Tennessee, this handmade castle is the handiwork of a man named Floyd Banks Junior. For the last three decades, he has poured his heart and creativity into this unusual structure. It's been dubbed the Fortress of Faith, though it's also known as Greenback Castle.

The elaborate project began as a way to “draw in the ladies,” but Banks now assigns a spiritual significance to the shapes within the plaster. In earlier years, he collected Cherokee artifacts and professionally submitted grandiose concepts regarding buoyancy, gravity, bird migration, and the human sense of direction.

Visiting the Fortress of Faith and speaking with its creator is a chance to enjoy the sensation of a wildly open mind.

Related Tags

Architectural Oddities Outsider Architecture Outsider Art Architecture

Know Before You Go

This is easily one of the oddest of personalized tour experiences. Your visit will be what you allow it to be. Please know that Junior works very hard every day and asks for nothing in return. It might be best to bring the old man a donation or some groceries, as he takes better care of the castle than himself.

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Campbell Pack

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slburk, Dangmustangg, mnsz7p76d4, atomicdecay...

  • slburk
  • Dangmustangg
  • mnsz7p76d4
  • atomicdecay
  • sharonrose979
  • Twisted

Published

September 5, 2019

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Fortress of Faith (Greenback Castle)
460 Lee Shirley Rd
Greenback, Tennessee, 37801
United States
35.622672, -84.160561
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Photo of Tennessee

Tennessee

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Nearby Places

Sequoyah Birthplace Museum

Vonore, Tennessee

miles away

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Tennessee

Tennessee

United States

Places 175
Stories 15

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