Let’s face it, the closest thing Cleveland once had to royalty is 6’8″ and sported a wine and gold jersey. But what Ohioans may not know is we’re actually right around the corner from some really cool castles. Here’s a list of them for all the inner kings and queens out there.

By Brandon Koziol

Franklin Castle – 4308 Franklin Blvd Not only is the stone structure an Instagramable spot in Cleveland, it’s also known as one of the most haunted places in Ohio. German immigrant turned successful grocer and banker Hannes Tiedemann built the house for his family in the late 1800s. It’s now privately owned and said to be haunted by ghosts including his wife and daughter. Read about it in our list of the 24 most haunted places in Cleveland and beyond here. (Photo via Adventurouscle, Instagram) Credit: Scene Archives Photo
Loveland Castle – 12025 Shore Rd, Loveland Loveland Castle, or Chateau Laroche, is a smaller replica of the the 10th-century structure in France called Chateau Laroche. It was built by a World War 1 medic named Harry Andrews who made every brick of the castle, taking him more than 50 years to finish. The castle’s been turned into a historical site for him, and there’s also plenty of medieval weaponry and relics on display. (Photo via Steve_zeinner, Instagram)
The Castle – 418 4th St, Marietta The castle, just like Cher, apparently only needs one name. Located in Marietta Ohio, the place has served as an example of “Gothic Revival” style architecture and as a home to the area’s elite. The Castle earned its spot on the National Register of Historic Places and is now open to the public. (Photo via Mike, Flickr CC)
Squire’s Castle – Willoughby Hills Nestled in the Cleveland Metroparks, is an estate built in the 1800s and constructed by the vice-president of Standard Oil, Feargus B. Squire. It sits on 525 acres and includes a gatehouse, an eight mile stretch of gravel road and a pond. (Photo via Todd Kravos, Flickr CC)
Curwood Castle – 224 Curwood Castle Dr, Owosso Action-adventure writer Author James Oliver Curwood built this as the perfect artist’s getaway in 1922. He even used one of the turrets as a writing studio. The Curwood Castle is now a museum. (Photo via Rodney Campbell, Flickr CC)
Landoll’s Mohican Castle – 561 Township Hwy 3352, Loudonville Landoll’s Mohican Castle is an old world-inspired castle serving a 21st century vibe of luxury when it comes to a night out from the homestead. Medieval lovers can find a getaway here with more than 11 different suites. (Photo via Chelsigray, Instagram)
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens – 714 N Portage Path, Akron This castle-esque mansion servers as the city’s first National Historic Landmark and is “the nation’s 6th largest historic home open to the public,” the Stan Hywet Hall & Garden website dubs. The estate sits on 70 acres and includes 10 different gardens. Originally built as the dwelling place for founder of Goodyear Tire & Rubber F.A. Seiberling, it now serves as a tourist and wedding destination. (Photo via Erik Drost, Flickr CC)
Buhl Mansion – 422 E State St, Sharon, PA Originally a home for the founder of the Sharon Steel Corporation, Frank H. Buhl, the steel mogul built the castle-esque house for his wife in 1890. Today it stands as an upscale hotel and spa. (Photo via Jon-Mark Davey, Flickr CC)
Grand Army of the Republic Building – 1942 Grand River Ave, Detroit The Detroit historical spot was constructed in 1942 for Grand Army of the Republic activities. The G.A.R. was a fraternal organizations for veterans who served in the American Civil War for the Northern/Federal forces. Now it’s a cool place to eat with restaurants, including the Republic Tavern. (Photo via Wikimedia)
The Brumback Library – 215 W Main St, Van Wert Here, book worms can enter the likes of castles they read about in a fairytales. The architecture features a Ludowici tile roof and turreted towers as seen in castles. It came about when businessman, banker and philanthropist John Brumback had the dreams of creating a free public library in the 1890s. However, he died right before completing the building plans, but his family finished what stands as the library now. (Photo via J. Stephen Conn, Flickr CC)
Allegheny County Courthouse – 436 Grant St, Pittsburgh, PA Hopefully you’ll never have to visit here, but if you do, at least the court hearing will be in a cool place straight from a fairytale. It was designed by a Boston architect named Henry Hobson Richardson and built between 1884 to 1888. (Photo via Jimmy Emerson, DVM, Flickr CC)
Eighth Precinct Police Station – 4150 Grand River Ave, Detroit Built between 1900 and 1901, this served as a police station and is the second-oldest police building in Detroit. The building was converted into lofts in 2013. (Photo via Wikimedia)
Glamorgan Castle – 200 Glamorgan St, Alliance Right off the campus of Mount Union, sits this 1900s fortress constructed by the president of Morgan Engineering Company, Colonel William Henry Morgan. The castle can stand against anything with 13-inch thick walls. (Photo via Joanna Poe, Flickr CC)
Ravenwood Castle – 65666 Bethel Rd, New Plymouth Now a place that allows Great Lakes Medieval Faire goers to continue the celebration year round. Ravenwood is a Country Inn inspired by the 12th and 13th centuries castles built to defend the England-Wales border. The inn offers things like castle rooms, medieval village cottages and gypsy wagons (yes, literally wagons on wheels that look like a small cabin). (Photo via Karisadavid, Instagram
Carnegie Free Library of Braddock – 419 Library St, Braddock, PA The Carnegie Free Library of Braddock is another not-your-average library. It also happens to be the first Carnegie library in the United States started by Andrew Carnegie, AKA the king of steel. (Photo via Jon-Mark Davey, Flickr CC)
Piatt Castles – West Liberty Yes, that’s plural. Piatt Castles include Mac-O-Chee (pictured above) and Mac-A-Cheek. In the 1820s, Judge Benjamin M. and Elizabeth Barnett Piatt moved to Logan County, and their children later built the two homes, or castles that are known today. The estates now serve as a family-owned museum, encasing 200 years of Ohio history. (Photo via J. Todd Poling, Flickr CC)
GreatStone Castle – 429 N. Ohio Avenue, Sidney Ever wanted to stay in a castle? GreatStone Castle Resorts gives us mere Ohioans a chance to live like royalty. Not only is it a bed a breakfast constructed with 18-inch thick slabs of limestone, three turrets and stone columns, it’s also on the National Register of Historic Places. (Photo via Geekly Things, Flickr CC)

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