In medieval and early modern history, people probably thought nothing of castles.
It was the ordinary architecture of the time.
By 2022, times have changed. Castles are still a timeless treasure though, from what I can tell.
I think replication of earlier castle designs is an excellent way to learn about world history.
The structures hold up for a long time too.
11 Most Beautiful Castles in Ohio
I never thought of Ohio as having castles, but it does.
This midwestern state appreciates its beauty.
It’s not just surface-level beauty though.
Every castle tells its own story.
It will mean more when you see these castles in person if you know why they were built in the first place.
Of course, knowing where they are can also be helpful.
That way, you can plan a visit to them if allowed.
1. Loveland Castle
Loveland Castle sits on the Little Miami River bank near Loveland, Ohio.
Medieval design expert Harry D. Andrews, who also served in World War I as a medic, started building it in the 1920s.
It’s one of the prime places for picnics in Loveland.
What’s more, you can view the colorful botanical gardens on the estate.
The Loveland Castle was modeled after the medieval knights’ dwelling places and fortified cities.
If you go to see this castle in person, you could sleep under the stars.
The staff also host weddings here.
You may want to come just to see the interior artwork.
For instance, it displays original chess and checker sets made by Mr. Andrews himself.
You also can take time to play a game on chess/checker boards modeled after Harry Andrew’s original artwork.
2. Squire’s Castle
For some reason, Goldilocks and the Three Bears come to mind.
The wooden setting that surrounds the Squire’s Castle in Willoughby Hills, OH makes it appear that way.
This building, which resembles a medieval fortification, came to be in the 1890s.
Squire’s Castle appears as if it’s in the middle of nowhere in the image I saw of it.
That’s because it’s just far enough inward from the northeast edge of the North Chagrin Reservation.
You can drive to the Lake Erie shore in about 17 minutes from the moderately secluded Squire’s Castle too.
Squire’s Castle has become a center for outdoor recreation and environmental education.
You can go kayaking, hiking, bird watching, and biking, among other activities.
In addition, you can learn about this area’s diverse wildlife, such as the dragonflies, butterflies, and wolves that reside here.
Even though Squire’s Castle is in a wooded area, you’ll find developed streets around the park that it’s in.
It’s also not far from U.S. Interstate Highway 90 (I-90).
3. Glamorgan Castle
Glamorgan Castle, built for Henry Morgan and his family in 1904, is in Alliance, Ohio.
It has square gables on its rooftop perimeter, towers, and both a flat and slanted roof.
The Morgan family owned it until 1938. It later became an Elk’s Lodge site.
Then, Merrick Lewis acquired it after 1964.
By 1973, it had become a part of the Alliance City Schools district.
Lewis’ financial contributions made turning Glamorgan Castle into an educational center happen.
As of 2022, it has become a popular wedding venue.
You can see a pond near the castle.
4. Grizer Castle
Not all castles appeared in the 1800s or earlier in Ohio.
Grizer Castle didn’t come until 2014 when the first bricks were first laid.
It has a squared appearance instead of round towers, so it represents architecture trending about 4,000 years prior to its construction.
Bill Grizer – thus the castle’s name – created it.
Grizer later continued to push for castle expansion, so guests could stay there.
It appears to be open as of 2021, according to recent Facebook posts on its page.
5. Marietta’s Castle (a.k.a. “The Castle”)
Marietta’s Castle, built in the Gothic Revival style, has seen many renovations since first being built in 1855.
This Marietta, Ohio house that sits on a hill first came to be by abolitionist and attorney Melvin C. Clarke.
According to The Clio, “The Castle” also became home to some of the other most influential people in Marietta.
Since 1994, it has operated as a museum, so it’s an excellent opportunity to witness Ohio’s architectural and artistic history.
The structure has some remnants of medieval times.
It also resembles Victorian-era designs.
You can plan a visit to The Castle year-round for individuals and groups.
6. Ravenwood Castle
Jim and Pam Reed bought the castle in 2012, but ground first broke on the building in 1994.
It has an architectural style indicative of Welsh and English designs from the 12th to the 13th century.
Ravenwood Castle has hotel suites that commemorate medieval times.
It also provides with it educational and recreational opportunities to have fun while learning about Middle-Age history.
Ravenwood Castle is in New Plymouth, Ohio.
It not only hosts weddings but also presents murder mysteries and corporate events.
As late as 2022, Ravenwood Castle is mostly for learning and recreation.
However, castles built similar to this during the Middle Ages or earlier often took on a protective purpose.
England and Wales are not the only places where castles served as fortresses from enemy attacks, by the way.
They were used as hiding places on every continent when their purpose seemed necessary.
7. Piatt Castle
Piatt Castle in Logan County has a Gothic feel to it.
It has existed for more than 200 years, and it’s open for guided tours and is located in West Liberty, OH.
The staff recommends Mac-A-Cheek Castle, which you can walk through yourself if you want to.
The average time spent here is about 45 minutes to an hour, but you could spend all day.
It’s a place for taking pictures too.
8. Greatstone Castle Resorts
You can enjoy the Greatstone Castle grounds landscape as well as its interior.
It’s known for its 100-year oaks and has been around now for longer than one and a quarter centuries as of 2022.
The site has become a place for bed and breakfast guests.
It also hosts weddings and other special events.
It has a ballroom, parlor garden, porch, and conservatory.
There’s also a porch swing if that’s your “thing.”
It’s located in Sydney, Ohio but looks sort of like castles you would see in Australia.
Most castles, however, come from either the medieval or early modern eras though.
9. Brumback Library
If any castle in Ohio was taken from a storybook, I’d say it would be this one.
I’m sure it could be set in a movie that requires a haunted library or one where villains or vigilantes hide.
Look in Van Wert, OH for the Brumback Library, originally built circa 1896 and named after John Sanford Brumback.
It still provides services to the public as of 2022.
10. Franklin Castle
Franklin Castle has a rumor about it being the most haunted house in Ohio.
It has at least 20 rooms and four floors.
It’s a private residence that you can’t tour, but you can see it from the street.
This Cleveland mansion, built in 1881-1883 by Hannes Tiedemann, has also been called the Tiedemann House.
Tiedemann came from Germany, and this was one of Cleveland’s richest neighborhoods in the 19th century.
11. The Akron Castle
The Stan Hywet Hall and Garden in Akron is the state of Ohio’s largest castle.
It’s also known as one of the largest homes in the country.
It has an astounding 65 rooms. To that, I say wow.
I know people who don’t even have their own bedroom, let alone 65 rooms total in their house.
This estate also has 70 acres of carefully tended landscape and manicured gardens.
This Akron Castle rents out rooms to the public.
They also host weddings and public events here in at least one of its five historic buildings.
By the way, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens is now a part of the American Alliance of Museums.
This makes it a trusted source for learning about local culture.
Ohio Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Ohio Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
How many castles does Ohio have?
Ohio has about 14 castles worth mentioning in the state.
Some other ones may exist but are smaller and kept out of the public eye.
Can you go inside OH castles?
It’s possible to go inside some of the OH castles open to the public.
Some of them only allow viewing from the outside though.
Sometimes, it’s because of structural damage that you can’t see indoors.
Otherwise, it may be a private residence that doesn’t want company.
To make sure you can see a castle in person, make arrangements in advance.
That will ensure a space on a guided tour boat bus or walk is available.
You may also want to call after booking online to confirm your travel dates.
Otherwise, use virtual means of communication if that is the attraction’s preferred communication method.
Where’s the largest Ohio castle?
The largest known Ohio castle is in Akron, OH.
It’s at 714 Portage Path, zip code 44303.
The nearest major highway is I-77.
It’s only about 50 minutes from Cleveland and the shore of Lake Erie.
Why does Ohio have castles?
People as late as 2022 will enjoy the castle’s architectural style.
They don’t serve the same purpose as they did during the medieval knight periods.
However, they could hold up during wartime if made right.
Can you visit all the Ohio castles?
It’s possible to make the rounds to most of the main Ohio castles in about 11 hours.
Some of the ones you could visit may not be on the list you see on this page but are worth visiting anyway.
