The Coolest Castle to Visit in Every State

Alabama: Wesleyan Hall (Built 1856)

Saying your university has a castle would be pretty cool. Built in the 1850s, Wesleyan Hall on the University of North Alabama campus in Florence, Alabama, is quite the sight to see.

Alaska: Hatcher Pass Castle (Built 1970)

Tucked into the mountains near Hatcher Pass, this private stone castle looks like it belongs in the Scottish Highlands and stands out against Alaska’s rugged landscape.

Arizona: Mystery Castle (Built 1930)

Built from stone, adobe, automobile parts, and other salvaged materials, Mystery Castle remains one of the Southwest’s most unusual homes and has become one of Phoenix’s best-known landmarks.

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Arkansas: Quigley’s Castle (Built 1943)

Known as “The Ozarks’ Strangest Dwelling,” this home features walls decorated with thousands of pressed flowers and native stones collected by its owner.

California: Hearst Castle (Built 1919)

Perched high above the Pacific Ocean, Hearst Castle is famous for its lavish rooms, world-class art collection, and the spectacular Neptune Pool.

Colorado: Bishop Castle (Built 1969)

This towering handmade castle includes soaring stone towers, winding staircases, stained glass, and even a massive steel dragon perched above the entrance.

Connecticut: Gillette Castle (Built 1919)

Actor William Gillette, who designed and built the home, lived in the castle for nearly 20 years before his death in 1937. It is now part of Gillette Castle State Park.

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Delaware: Castle Hall (Built 1851)

Delaware does not have authentic medieval military castles. However, it is home to Castle Hall in Wilmington, a Gothic Revival residence built in the 1850s. Now more than 170 years old, it is one of Delaware’s most notable examples of Gothic Revival architecture.

Florida: Disney World’s Cinderella Castle (Built 1971)

Standing at the center of Magic Kingdom, Cinderella Castle has become one of the most photographed landmarks in the country and serves as the symbol of Walt Disney World. Consider a trip to nearby Hogwarts Castle at Universal Studios (if you’re prepared for an expensive vacation).

Georgia: Old Georgia State Capitol (Built 1807)

With Gothic towers and castle-like battlements, this former state capitol looks more like a fortress than a government building and now sits on the Georgia Military College campus.

Hawaii: Iolani Palace (Built 1882)

Although it is technically a palace, not a castle, Iolani Palace in Honolulu is definitely one of the coolest structures in the state. After restoration, it reopened to the public in 1978.

Idaho: Schweitzer Castle & Château de Melusine (Built 1999)

Inspired by European castles, this hilltop estate overlooks the forests of northern Idaho with stone towers, steep roofs, and sweeping mountain views.

Illinois: Old Main (Built 1899)

Its limestone towers, Gothic details, and castle-like appearance have made Old Main one of the most recognizable buildings on the Eastern Illinois University campus.

Indiana: Clayshire Castle (Built 1999)

Built at the end of the millennium, Clayshire Castle in Bowling Green is one of the newest castles you’ll find. The 10,000-square-foot structure is designed to resemble a medieval English castle and welcomes overnight guests seeking a unique stay complete with turrets and stone walls.

Iowa: Ida Grove

You can’t beat “Castletown USA.” Seriously, that’s the motto for Ida Grove, Iowa thanks to its collection of castle-inspired buildings, towers, bridges, and parks scattered throughout town.

Kansas: Coronado Heights (Built 1936)

This small stone castle sits atop one of central Kansas’ highest hills and offers panoramic views of the surrounding prairie.

Kentucky: Kentucky Castle (Built 1969)

Located in Versailles, just outside of the capital Lexington, Kentucky Castle, also called Castle Post, Martin Castle, or Versailles Castle, was sold in 2023 and primarily serves as a bed and breakfast and hosts special events.

Louisiana: Old State Capitol (Built 1852)

Completed in 1852, Louisiana’s Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge features Gothic towers that earned it the nickname “The Castle on the River.”

Maine: Norumbega Castle (Built 1889)

Overlooking Penobscot Bay, this granite castle now operates as a boutique inn while preserving many of its original architectural details.

Maryland: Maryvale Castle (Built 1916)

Modeled after England’s Warwick Castle, this impressive stone building now serves as the centerpiece of the Maryvale Preparatory School campus.

Massachusetts: Winnekenni Castle (Built 1875)

Built from locally gathered stone, Winnekenni Castle overlooks a scenic lake and hosts concerts, weddings, and community events on its grounds.

Michigan: Castle Museum (Built 1898)

Originally built in 1898 as Saginaw’s post office, the Castle Museum features Romanesque architecture with castle-like towers.

Minnesota: Glensheen Mansion (Built 1908)

Its grand stone exterior, sprawling lakeside setting, and famous history have made Glensheen one of Minnesota’s most visited historic homes.

Mississippi: Pierce Castle (Built 2008)

Complete with towers, thick stone walls, and medieval-inspired architecture, this privately owned home looks centuries older than it really is.

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Missouri: Sky High Castle (Built 1930)

Hidden among the Ozarks, this European-inspired stone castle remains one of Missouri’s most distinctive private homes.

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Montana: Castle Museum and Carriage House (Built 1892)

Originally a Victorian mansion, the building now preserves local history while showcasing its castle-inspired architecture.

Nebraska: Joslyn Castle (Built 1903)

Completed in Omaha in 1903, Joslyn Castle stands as one of the Great Plains’ best-known Scottish Baronial homes.

Nevada: Stoke’s Castle (Built 1897)

Inspired by an Italian medieval tower, this three-story stone landmark rises unexpectedly above Nevada’s high desert landscape.

New Hampshire: Searles Castle (Built 1915)

This granite estate resembles a European fortress and now serves as one of New England’s most recognizable wedding venues.

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New Jersey: Kip’s Castle (Built 1902)

Perched above the New York City skyline, Kip’s Castle offers sweeping views along with its distinctive Norman-style architecture.

New Mexico: Montezuma Castle (Built 1886)

Built in 1886 as a luxury hotel, Montezuma Castle near Las Vegas, New Mexico, features striking Victorian architecture and castle-like towers.

New York: Boldt Castle (Built 1900)

George C. Boldt, whom the structure is named after, began building Boldt Castle on Heart Island in 1900. Today it’s one of the country’s most recognizable castle estates.

North Carolina: Biltmore Estate (Built 1895)

The Biltmore Estate in Asheville remains America’s largest privately owned home with French Renaissance château design. It features 250 rooms, formal gardens, and architecture inspired by the grand châteaux of France.

North Dakota: Enchanted Castle (Built 2012)

This castle isn’t even old enough to vote. This medieval-themed hotel welcomes guests traveling the Enchanted Highway, one of the state’s most popular roadside attractions.

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Ohio: Squire’s Castle (Built 1897)

Feargus B. Squire built this stone gatekeeper’s house in 1897 within what is now the North Chagrin Reservation.

Oklahoma: The Holy City of the Wichitas (Built 1935)

Built from local granite, this hilltop complex recreates biblical Jerusalem with stone walls, towers, and castle-like architecture.

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Oregon: Canterbury Castle (Built 1931)

With stone walls, hidden passageways, and medieval-inspired details, Canterbury Castle remains one of Portland’s most unusual historic homes.

Pennsylvania: Fonthill Castle (Built 1912)

The castle contains more than 40 rooms filled with handcrafted ceramic tiles, artwork, and collections created by Henry Mercer.

Rhode Island: Ochre Court (Built 1892)

Modeled after a French château, Ochre Court overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and ranks among Newport’s grandest Gilded Age mansions.

South Carolina: Atalaya Castle (Built 1933)

This castle served as the winter home and studio of sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington and Archer Huntington. Today, its 30 rooms surround a central courtyard where sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington created many of her famous works.

South Dakota: Valtiroty Shiloh’s Tabernacle (Built 1981)

Its stone towers, castle walls, and handcrafted details make this one of South Dakota’s most unexpected roadside landmarks.

Tennessee: Castle Gwynn (Built 1980)

Built as a faithful recreation of a 12th-century Welsh castle, it opens to visitors during the annual Tennessee Renaissance Festival.

Newman’s Castle, Bellville, TX. Pixel 3a XL.
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Texas: Newman Castle (Built 2000)

Complete with a moat, drawbridge, dungeon, and chapel, this hand-built castle offers tours that feel straight out of the Middle Ages.

Utah: The Castle (Natural Formation)

Unlike other manmade structures on this list, The Castle in Capitol Reef National Park in Wayne County is a towering sandstone formation that naturally resembles a medieval fortress.

Vermont: Wilson Castle (Built 1867)

Located in Proctor, Wilson Castle blends Victorian, Dutch Neo-Renaissance, Scottish Baronial, and Romanesque architecture. IWith 32 rooms, stained glass windows, secret passageways, and ornate woodwork, Wilson Castle feels like stepping into another era.

Virginia: Bacon’s Castle (Built 1665)

The oldest castle on this list, Bacon’s Castle ranks among the oldest surviving brick homes in North America. It features rare Jacobean architecture and original details from the 17th century.

Washington: Thornewood Castle (Built 1908)

Thornewood Castle, located near Tacoma in Lakewood, incorporates centuries-old English materials shipped across the Atlantic. Seriously. Builders shipped bricks, oak paneling, and other materials from a 400-year-old English manor to create this remarkable estate.

West Virginia: West Virginia Penitentiary (Built 1876)

Far from being a royal palace in practice, its towering stone walls and Gothic architecture make the former prison look more like a medieval fortress than a correctional facility.

Wisconsin: Pabst Mansion (Built 1892)

Built for brewing magnate Frederick Pabst, the mansion showcases ornate woodwork, grand staircases, and castle-inspired architecture.

I didn’t know we had a Castle — Castle in Wyoming (Bedford, WY, US)
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Wyoming: Bedford Castle

If you’re in the market for a castle, here’s your opportunity. Bedford Castle in Bedford, Wyoming currently listed for sale for just under $10 million. What a bargain! It includes soaring towers, handcrafted interiors, and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

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Ever Wonder What Those Long Spikes on Semi-Truck Wheels Are For? Here’s the Answer

Driving alongside a semi-truck is unsettling at the best of times. They take up nearly the entire lane, can be difficult to see around, can trigger nightmares for anyone who has watched Final Destination, and some even have those intimidating, long, pointed spikes sticking out from the wheels.

They don’t look like standard lug nuts seen on a passenger vehicle, so what are they and what are they used for?

Learn why some semi-trucks have wheel spikes, what sits underneath them, what those spikes actually do, and whether they serve a safety purpose.

Why Do Semi-Trucks Have Spikes on Their Wheels?

The long spikes usually seen on the wheels of a semi-truck are decorative covers designed to go over the existing lug nuts. They aren’t designed to interact with the axle, tire, or braking system, and they don’t hold the wheel in place.

They also don’t only come in spike shapes. Manufacturers of these covers sell them in a variety of designs, like flat, bullet, rocket, or spear styles. They’re usually made out of chrome-finished plastic, but metal options are also available. Like other lug nut covers, they can also put a barrier between the hardware and dirt or moisture, though the pointed shape itself doesn’t provide a special protective function.

Covers might attach by pushing onto the existing lug nut, or attach another way depending on the brand. Check the item’s instructions when installing.

Are Semi-Truck Wheel Spikes Legal?

Plenty of decorative automotive accessories are either straight up illegal or in a legal gray area. So, what about wheel spikes?

Federal commercial vehicle rules address wheel condition and secure fasteners, while individual states can place additional restrictions on items that project from wheels.

For instance, Washington state restricts certain wheel nuts, hub caps, and wheel discs that extend outside the vehicle body and create a hazard to pedestrians or cyclists. Rules can vary by state, so before buying covers, consider local vehicle-equipment laws in the area.

These covers also shouldn’t be confused with other dedicated wheel-safety equipment. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires commercial vehicle wheel nuts and bolts to remain secure, and decorative covers don’t replace inspections or maintenance.

If a driver is concerned about safety while traveling beside a semi-truck with wheel spikes, the covers don’t call for any special precautions. Drivers should follow the same advice recommended around other large trucks, including avoiding their blind spots and leaving enough room when passing.

So the next time you see these wheel spikes, you’ll know what they’re for.

Sources

• Washington State Legislature, “RCW 46.37.369”
• ECFR, “Part 571—Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards”
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, “Tips for Passenger Vehicle Drivers”

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Can a Cordless Stick Vacuum Really Replace Your Shop-Vac? We Tested Ryobi’s to Find Out

They might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a tool, but vacuums are essential for cleaning, whether you’re in a kitchen or a workshop. When your workshop floors are covered in sawdust and you experience a gnarly spill in your garage, you’re going to want a vacuum on hand that’s easy to use but powerful enough to clear through your mess. And while shop vacs are certainly appropriately named, they’re pretty cumbersome most of the time and annoying to set up and use.

When people shop for vacuums, they usually have two questions on their mind: How light and maneuverable is it, and how well does it suck up dirt and grime? So when I saw that Ryobi had a cordless vacuum that weighed just 8 pounds, I knew I had to give it a try. Could this lightweight and easy-to-use vacuum be the answer to messy workshop woes?

That’s what I set out to find out in this edition of Tool Trials.

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Tool Trials

Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

A cordless vacuum cleaner on the Ryobi battery platform.

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The Tool On Trial

When unboxing the Ryboi One+ Cordless Stick Vacuum, I was immediately impressed by how well-made the tool felt in my hands. The components felt solid, and everything clicked together nicely when I assembled the tool. It’s also nice any time a tool doesn’t require a specialized battery. Being able to go straight to the chargers in my garage, pull out a Ryobi One+ battery and plug it into the vacuum made the whole setup process very smooth.

The vacuum itself is very straightforward. You can either use it in its full form or remove the extension wand to turn the standing vacuum into a hand vacuum. One extra nice feature that more vacuums should have is the ability to remove the roller bar for easier maintenance and cleaning.

Even before testing, I could see the tool was pretty simple to use and a breeze to assemble. Convenience points already!

Next came the test.

How We Tested

Ryobi claims this vacuum is “ideal for multi-surface use such as hard floors, carpets, and rugs.” I designed this test with that in mind, wanting to see just how well it performed on a variety of surfaces. I set up three test “spill zones” that were approximately 2 ft. x 2 ft. on three different surfaces: short carpet, shaggier carpet and the cement of a garage floor.

Then I poured a layer of kitchen flour into each mess area to simulate a sawdust spill in a workshop. With the spill zones all set up, I was ready to test.

For each zone, I set a 15-second timer to see just how much of the spill I could clean up in that time. That’s it… just fifteen seconds to clean up a pretty big spill. I wasn’t expecting to get the area fully clean in that time… but I was prepared to be impressed.

The Verdict

Unfortunately, the vacuum’s performance was only so-so in all three tests. It performed best on the short carpet, where nearly all the flour was vacuumed up from the spill zone during the 15-second test period.

The longer carpet and the garage spill zones were another story. On the large carpet, the vacuum struggled to handle the spill. And in the garage, the vacuum mostly seemed to push and blow the flour around rather than suck it up. I was pretty surprised by how much of the spill remained in the garage spill zone, as I was pretty confident the smooth concrete would pose no problems. Instead, the vacuum mostly just created an even bigger mess. In fact, I ended up having to use two other vacuum cleaners to get the spill zones back to normal.

It was pretty clear from this test that the Ryobi ONE+ Vacuum is a solid device, but it’s not a complete substitute for a shop vac. The cordless convenience is very nice, though. If you’re looking for a portable, easy-to-set-up vacuum you can use in your car or other tight places, definitely keep this tool in mind. It’s just not quite what you want for big spills.

Where To Buy the Ryobi ONE+ Vacuum

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Tool Trials

Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

A cordless vacuum cleaner on the Ryobi battery platform.

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The Ryobi ONE+ Cordless Vacuum costs around $80-90 and can be purchased through Home Depot or Amazon.

VIA MERCHANT

Tool Trials

Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

A cordless vacuum cleaner on the Ryobi battery platform.

Shop on Amazon

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If Your House Keeps Making Cracking Sounds, Here’s When to Worry and When to Relax

I remember hearing our house cracking during a minor earthquake, and if it hadn’t been for the groaning and snapping sounds coming from the walls and rafters, I might never have known the quake was happening. It turned out that almost insignificant shaking was a precursor to the catastrophic Loma Prieta Quake of 1989, which occurred several months later. By demolishing freeways, leveling buildings and destroying practically every chimney in the county, that event provided a tutorial on the vulnerability of man-made structures to earth movements.

If you hear your house cracking this summer, it probably doesn’t mean an earthquake is happening, but it could mean the ground is shifting for other reasons. Sudden changes in temperature can also cause cracking sounds. Most of the time, these sounds are nothing to worry about, but when you start seeing cracks as well as hearing them, it’s time to investigate. Your house could be at risk.

How Heat Impacts Building Materials

Building materials, including wood, steel, masonry and glass, expand when the temperature goes up and contract when it goes down again. Each material expands and contracts at a different rate, which is defined by its coefficient of thermal expansion (CoTE). You’ll find a list of CoTEs for different materials in a table provided by InspectAPedia.

In summer, materials expand during the heat of the day and contract at night, when it’s cooler. Temperature changes occur fairly quickly, and because materials respond at different rates, they push and pull against each other, creating groaning and cracking sounds in the process.

Why Your Attic May Be the Source

An attic gets very hot when the summer sun shines high in the sky. If it isn’t properly ventilated, the temperature in an attic can reach up to 160 degrees, according to Roofing Bros. When the sun goes down, the temperature drops quickly, and thermal snaps, crackles and pops result as materials contract. This is usually nothing to worry about, but it isn’t the only reason for house-cracking sounds originating in the attic.

When the wind blows, it actually lifts the roof, and as the rafters tug at the fasteners holding them, they can produce all kinds of groaning, squeaking and knocking sounds. There’s usually no reason for concern, unless the winds are strong enough to blow the roof off. In that case, you should probably evacuate or get down in the basement ASAP.

Soil and Foundation Issues

It’s comforting to think the ground is stable, but it’s hard to maintain that belief when you’ve been through an earthquake. In fact, soil is constantly shifting, aided by water draining, seasonal thermal effects and organic processes. These changes can undermine a building’s foundation, and cracking sounds can result as the building settles.

House-cracking sounds from foundation settling can come from the floor, walls, or roof, and they can be sudden and loud at times. If they recur or you see visible cracks in the interior drywall of the foundation, it’s time to call for a soil or foundation inspector to assess your repair options.

Shifting Doors and Windows

When you suspect house-cracking sounds are due to foundation settling, but you aren’t sure, check the operation of the doors and windows. Do you notice a door that constantly swings open or closed? Are any windows harder to open than they should be? Both of these confirm the diagnosis, because foundation settling throws window and door frames out of square.

Pipes and Plumbing

The cause of cracking sounds from plumbing pipes may be thermal expansion and contraction. Copper pipes carrying hot water tend to make cracking sounds, because copper expands when it’s heated and contracts when the surrounding air is cold. If your house has PEX pipes, it’s unlikely you’ll hear these sounds, because plastic isn’t rigid and doesn’t make noise.

Thumping and pounding sounds when you operate a faucet or flush a toilet don’t have anything to do with thermal expansion. They are usually caused by water hammer, and the remedies are to install a water hammer arrestor near the offending fixture, reduce the water pressure in the house or replace all your copper pipes with PEX.

Warning Signs You Should Not Ignore

When you hear your house cracking, the sounds could have a number of causes, including electrical issues, which haven’t yet been mentioned. The number one indication that you shouldn’t ignore them — apart from the sounds being so loud that it’s obvious something big is happening — is that you can see or smell damage.

For example, crackling and popping sounds caused by electrical arcing are often accompanied by smoke, blackening around the affected fixtures and the acrid smell of plastic burning. Pipes that constantly tap due to thermal expansion may start leaking, and when that happens, you’ll probably see wet drywall or water on the floor. If the sounds are due to structural issues, visible cracks appearing in the walls, ceilings or foundation, as well as sticking doors and windows, are warning you to do something now to hopefully forestall major repairs.

FAQ

Should I worry if my walls develop small cracks during the summer?

Hairline cracks are usually harmless, often signifying little more than plaster or drywall mud cracking due to thermal expansion. They become problematic when you notice they are widening or spreading.

When cracks occur along drywall seams or in corners between the walls and the floor or ceiling, or they radiate horizontally, in steps, or diagonally from the tops of door and window frames, it’s time to find out why. The cause could be something as simple as excessive vibrations from an air conditioner, but it could be something more serious, like soil settling or even a minor earthquake.

Is there anything I can do to reduce summer house noises?

If thermal expansion noise is bothering you, you can dampen it in several ways. You can seal gaps in the walls and around doors and windows with weatherstripping or acoustic caulk, add extra insulation to the walls and ceiling to absorb sound, place rugs or install new carpeting, or hang thick curtains. It may help to add soft sound-absorbing chairs and sofas to your home’s furnishings.

Sources

• InspectAPedia: Table of Coefficient of Expansion of Building Materials; (2026)
• The Roofing Bros: Why Is My Attic So Hot? Attic Temperature Chart and Solutions; (2026)

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Will 911 Calls Always Go Through? When Calls Can Fail

During an emergency, the last thing anyone wants to experience is issues connecting to first responders. That’s why a 911 call feels like one of the few things a phone should always go through, even if everything else isn’t working.

But is a standard 911 call on a mobile device always available, even if it isn’t connected to Wi-Fi, an active cellular plan, or its usual carrier’s network? Unfortunately, no.

Learn how phones reach 911 without regular service, when Wi-Fi matters if making a call, and what can keep an emergency call from connecting.

Will a 911 Call Always Go Through?

No, a 911 call isn’t guaranteed to work. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandates wireless providers transmit 911 calls regardless of whether the caller subscribes to their service. But in order for the call to go through, the device needs to be connected to a compatible cellular network.

If you can’t connect to your usual carrier you may be able to use another available network. A phone without active service may have limitations, like not providing the 911 center with the caller’s location, and a dispatcher might not be able to call back if the call is dropped. That’s one reason dispatchers might ask for a good callback number.

A 911 call from a cell phone usually doesn’t need Wi-Fi. If cell service is weak or unavailable, some phones can use Wi-Fi calling instead and may switch between the two automatically.

When a 911 Call Fails and What to Do

A 911 call may not go through if the phone can’t get enough cell signal. That can happen in remote areas, underground, or inside buildings and parking garages where reception is spotty. Mountains and other terrain can also get in the way. A service outage or problem with the phone itself could cause issues, too.

If a call doesn’t connect, the caller can try moving to a different spot or using another phone. Wi-Fi calling may work if it’s available. Some areas also allow people to text 911, although the National 911 Program recommends calling whenever possible.

Never call 911 just to see if a phone works, which will interrupt dispatchers from assisting with real emergencies. Anyone who wants to test a device can contact the local 911 center through its non-emergency number first and arrange a test call.

Most people will hopefully never run into this problem, but there isn’t one answer that applies everywhere. Coverage, phones, carriers, and local 911 systems can all vary. Anyone concerned about a particular phone or location can check with the carrier or local 911 authority ahead of time.

Sources

• Federal Communications Commission, “Wireless 911 Service“
• National 911 Program, “Frequently Asked Questions“
• Federal Communications Commission, “Text to 911: What You Need to Know“

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The Growing Backlash Against Flock Surveillance Cameras, Explained

Flock cameras are on people’s minds lately, and not in a good way. On July 25, The Guardian reported on 33 acts of vandalism against the cameras in 23 states, and on July 30, CNN had similar reporting, describing vandals as people who believe the increasingly ubiquitous Flock camera is a surveillance camera that violates people’s privacy.

The reason behind the controversy is no mystery, says security expert Aimee Simpson: “Ostensibly, these cameras are to track stolen vehicles. But by having them constantly recording and capturing data from cars that pass by them, they build up a perfect record of all the car movements across a general area.” Because they record license plate numbers, they can also track vehicle owners’ movements.

This post briefly explores what Flock cameras are, why more and more of them are appearing in city streets, and why and how activists are mobilizing against them.

What is a Flock Camera?

When I first heard the term Flock camera, I thought of a surveillance camera that observed people en masse — as in flocks — but that’s not what the term means at all, although it may not be far off.

A Flock camera is an automated license plate reader (ALPR) manufactured by the American company Flock Safety. It’s designed to capture and store information about every car that passes in front of it — primarily the license plate number, but also the make, model, color and condition of the vehicle. According to Flock, it does not use facial recognition to capture data about occupants, nor can it determine how many occupants are in the vehicle. That’s comforting, but it doesn’t have to do those things to supply troves of personal information to anyone with access to the data it does store.

An individual Flock camera is typically mounted on a pole next to a roadway, with an adjoining solar panel to supply power. I’s part of network that collects data from all the cameras connected to it in a central database. “From a data perspective,” says Simpson, “a record of these cameras could map out someone’s entire life. When they go to work, the route they take, if they go to the gym, what supermarket they go to, where their friends live, etc.” In other words, while a Flock camera may not be marketed as a surveillance camera, it can definitely act like one depending on who’s looking at the data.

Why Communities Are Installing Them

According to Flock, its cameras are crime-fighting tools that authorities can use to track stolen vehicles and vehicles involved in criminal acts. According to Berkeleyside, a community publication in Berkeley, California, there are 52 Flock cameras installed throughout the city, and the Berkeley Police Department says they are a valuable tool for its chronically understaffed force.

In Berkeley, Flock cameras have led to arrests for such crimes as commercial burglary, homicide and sexual assault. The jury is still out on whether they have any general effect on crime rates, but a study conducted in Dallas suggests that they do make arrests more likely for crimes committed near the cameras.

The Privacy Concerns Driving Opposition

It’s unsettling enough to have a record of your daily movements stored by the police department and other legitimate authorities, but what if that information leaks? “If Flock aggregates this data, it could be extremely valuable in the wrong hands, both making Flock a target for hackers and for third-party agencies trying to buy data,” says Simpson.

Flock data can also be misused. According to the Guardian, police offices have used it to track cars for personal reasons, and some have used it to find people with identifying traits that the cameras can see, such as tattoos, clothing or racial features. Moreover, ICE has been known to use Flock data to track the movements of immigrants it seeks to deport, using a heat map generated by the cameras. An investigation conducted by the American Civil Liberties Union found that the company hasn’t been straightforward about this particular feature, or ICE’s use of it.

Anti-Camera Activism

Activists across the country who claim that a Flock camera is actually a surveillance camera have resorted to a number of actions, including cutting the cameras down with saws, throwing paint on them or blocking the lens with tape. The Guardian states that, as of the date of publication of its story, there have been 33 such incidents in 23 states. A pair of vigilantes have disabled several cameras all by themselves.

Blowback is also felt at the municipal and federal levels. According to DeFlock, a grassroots project that maps the locations of ALPRs across the country, 97 communities have deactivated Flock cameras or canceled or rejected contracts with the company to deploy them. People can use DeFlock to view a map of 115,000 ALPRs across the country and to look up potentially harmful information about themselves. In July, Texas Congressman Keith Self introduced legislation that would require a warrant before law enforcement could access data from Flock cameras.

FAQ

How long is Flock camera data stored?

According to cybersecurity expert Amy Mortlock, the default retention period of flock cameras is 30 days, after which the data is deleted (unless a customer’s policy or local law requires a different setting). “Now,” she says, “the real question is not simply how long data is stored, but who can search it, have access to it, and what safeguards are in place.”

Are Flock cameras the same as red-light cameras?

“Flock cameras are not red-light cameras,” states injury lawyer Mohammed Shariff. Red-light cameras enforce certain traffic violations, he says, whereas Flock cameras fulfill more investigative purposes by matching license plates and vehicle characteristics with vehicles associated with reported crimes. “I would ask that communities weigh the potential public safety benefits and accountability in terms of how this information is collected, accessed, retained and used,” he adds.

About the Experts

• Aimee Simpson has years of experience in the security industry. She is the Director of Product Marketing at Huntress, where she oversees its Managed ITDR and Managed SAT solutions.
• Amy Mortlock has over 15 years’ experience in cyber security. She is Vice President of Marketing at ShadowDragon.
• Mohammed Shariff is the founding attorney of The Shariff Law Firm, where he focuses exclusively on Texas personal injury litigation.

Sources

• The Guardian: Inside the growing vigilante movement to knock out Flock surveillance cameras; (2026)
• CNN: Flock cameras are getting mobbed; (2026)\
• Flock: What Do Flock Cameras Actually Capture?; (2026)
• Berkeleyside: What are Flock cameras, and why are they controversial in Berkeley?; (2026)
• ACLU: Flock Safety Credibility Lost as it Repeatedly Lies to City Councils, Police Departments, and Public Across the Country; (2026)
• DeFlock: Welcome to DeFlock; (2026)

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