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14 Real Castles Right Here In Ohio (Many Of Which You Can Visit)

When people think about castles, they don’t think about Ohio.

Most would picture crumbling medieval castles of the English Countryside, or perhaps the stunning chateaus of 18th century France.

Although Ohio’s castles may not all have been built centuries ago, they are still marvelous in their own right. While some were created simply as tourist attractions, several were built out of curiosity and ingenuity.

Loveland Castle

Construction on Chateau Laroche, aka Loveland Castle, began in 1929. World War I veteran and medievalist Harry D. Andrews was so inspired by his time in France during the war, that when he returned to Loveland, Ohio, he decided to build his own castle. He spent nearly 50 years constructing Chateau Laroche, and when he died, he gifted it to his Boy Scout troop, the Knights of the Golden Trail.

Squire’s Castle

Squire’s Castle was built in the 1890s, by oil tycoon, Fergus Squire. Initially intended as a gate house to a much larger estate, Squire sold the property before the estate could be built. Now owned by the Cleveland Metroparks, the castle is free and open to the public.

Mac-A-Cheek Castle

Mac-A-Cheek Castle

Built by French Huguenot immigrants, the Piatt Castles are some of the most well known chateaus in Ohio. Mac-A-Cheek, built by Abram Piatt was completed in 1871. Though it is slightly smaller than Mac-O-Chee, its secluded grounds give it an air of mystery.

Mac-O-Chee Castle

Mac-O-Chee Castle

The second Piatt Castle, Mac-O-Chee, is slightly larger than its partner. Completed in 1879, Mac-O-Chee was built by Don Piatt. Mac-O-Chee has towers, elaborate painted ceilings, and towers, just as you’d expect to find in the grandest castles of Europe.

GreatStone Castle

The GreatStone Castle Resort, also known as the Whitby Mansion, was built in 1890 by W.H.C. Goode. Goode, an industrialist, built the castle with massive stone walls, slate roofs, and combined architectural styles such as Jacobean, Tudor and Châteauesque. The castle is now a bed and breakfast, popular for weddings.

Ravenwood Castle

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If you’re looking for the perfect place to host your Game of Thrones Reenactment dinner or a rousing game of Dungeons and Dragons, look no further. Although only completed in 1995, Ravenwood Castle was built in the style of the 12th and 13th century castles that dotted the British countryside. The original owners were self proclaimed Anglophiles, and wanted a special place here in Ohio where people could be transported through time. Ravenwood hosts events all year long, including murder mysteries and themed weekends.

Landoll’s Mohican Castle

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Built in 2002, Landoll’s Mohican Castle captures the mystery and elegance that most are looking for in a castle. Also a hotel, the castle is a popular destination for weddings, events, and romantic weekend getaways. Couples can even reserve the Landoll Suite, which gives them access to their very own tower. How very royal!

The Castle in Marietta

One of the oldest castles on the list, The Castle in Marietta was built in 1855. The Gothic Revival style castle has been open to the public since 1994, acting as a museum. The aim of the museum is to preserve the grounds of the castle, as well as the facility itself, ensuring that generations of Ohioans can have access to this unique building.

Glamorgan Castle

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The Glamorgan Castle in Alliance, Ohio was completed in 1909 for roughly $400,000 by Col. William Henry Morgan. In addition to the castle, the nearly grounds included a farm, a farmhouse, a barn, and a carriage shed. The castle changed hands several times throughout the 1900s, but was eventually purchased by Alliance City Schools, who still use the castle today as their administrative building. The castle is open for tours to the public.

Brumback Library


Located in Van Wert, the Brumback Library is a historic public library that opened at the beginning of the 20th century. It was the first library in the country to serve an entire county. Constructed of sandstone and bluestone, the library was designed by architect David L. Stine in both the Gothic and Romanesque revival styles. The library is open Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Franklin Castle

Photo by Christopher Busta-Peck, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 1.0 Generic license.

You can’t talk about castles in Ohio and not mention one of the spookiest spots in Cleveland: Franklin Castle. This Victorian home has four stories and over twenty rooms and 80 windows. When the home was built in the late 1800s, Franklin Boulevard was one of the most prestigious streets in Cleveland. Over the years, the home has seen many owners and built up a reputation as being the most haunted house in Ohio. The home is now a private residence, so you can’t tour the inside, but it’s an impressive castle, even if you’re just viewing from the street. The castle is located at 4308 Franklin Boulevard in Cleveland

Grizer Castle

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Grizer Castle may have been built in a medieval style, but it’s the newest castle on this list. After opening last year as an event venue, the castle has gained popularity for its sweeping views of the Ohio countryside. You can visit the castle and check it out for yourself, but viewings are by appointment only.

Schwartz Castle

Photo via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.

Towering over German Village, Schwartz Castle has inspired many tales about itself in Columbus. The house was built in the mid-1880s by Frederick William Schwartz, a successful German businessman. Legend says that Schwartz built the castle, located at 492 S 3rd Street, for his fiance who jilted him, leaving him depressed and building secret passageways. In truth, Schwartz was just eccentric for his time. He was a vegetarian and drank only rainwater and even sunbathed nude from the roof of the tower. Legends also say that you can see his ghost ascending the ladder in the tower, but you’re most likely to see people working, as the building now serves as an office space.

Stan Hywet Hall

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Construction on this impressive Tudor revival-style castle began in 1912 as a home for F.A. Seiberling, the co-founder of The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. The palatial home was named Stan Hywet, Old English for stone quarry — after the property’s most prominent natural feature. Stan Hywet Hall served as a residence for the next 40 years but was frequently opened to the public for community events. The estate includes five historic buildings, 10 fully restored historic gardens, and furnishings that are 95% original to the estate. After Sieberling died in 1955, Stan Hywet became a non-profit historic house museum, opening for tours so that the public could benefit from the cultural, educational, and inspirational riches of one of the most significant achievements in architecture and horticulture to come out of America’s Industrial Age. Stan Hywet is open Tuesday-Sunday for tours, April – December.

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