Ione: History and Activities

When looking for a hotel in Ione, it helps to plan your stay around the topics that matter to you: history, sports, or a ride with Rail Explorers. Different time frames and starting points also matter when planning. The details below can help you organize visits according to your interests and schedule.

Historical Topics and Tour Planning

Preston Castle was built between 1890 and 1894 to house the Preston School of Industry. On July 30, 1975, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. These dates mark two milestones: its construction for its original purpose and its later addition to the register. Anyone interested in the building’s history can clearly distinguish its construction from its later historical designation.

Public, self-guided tours were offered seasonally; the 2026 season ran from April through August and has ended. Before planning a visit at a later date, check whether and when new tour dates will be offered.

The historic Ione Railroad Depot holds great historical significance for Ione and Amador County. The church consecrated as Ione City Centenary Church also tells a story of local history: it was later given the popular name Cathedral of the Mother Lode and was the first church to serve people in the region. Both names refer to the same church, so the later nickname should not be understood as referring to a second church building.

Sports Venues and Activities

The Ed Hughes Memorial Arena is an indoor multipurpose arena in Ione. For outdoor activities, it is available year-round, rain or shine, from sunrise to sunset. This combines a set daily time window with use that is explicitly not limited to sunny weather. For general day planning, this is a different arrangement from the seasonal tours at Preston Castle. Parking is available for both spectators and participants, so both groups can plan to use the arena as a destination.

At Howard Park, the City of Ione maintains five baseball fields and a snack bar. If baseball is your main focus, the park is the clear choice. When choosing between the two sports venues, the type of facility is the key difference: a multipurpose arena or baseball fields.

Rail Explorers as a Separate Starting Point

The Rail Explorers ride begins at the Rail Explorers Depot just outside Ione. Include this starting point as a separate location in your day’s plans, rather than treating the ride as if it starts in town. The Rail Explorers Amador Railbikes are equipped with custom-built electric motors. The starting point and motors are specific features that distinguish this ride from the sports facilities and help you fit it into your stay.

Discover more destinations: Jackson, Fiddletown, Drytown, Plymouth, Pioneer, Amador City, Sutter Creek.

View the regional travel overview: Amador County.