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Loveland Castle in Ohio (Also known as Chateau LaRoche)
This castle located in Loveland Ohio was the life work of one man who pretty much built it all himself. He did have some help from a local boy scout troop.
I also have a video showing this castle. It is at the bottom of the page.
Loveland castle is located in Loveland Ohio just northeast of Cincinnati at 12025 Shore Dr, Loveland, OH 45140.
The name "Chateau LaRoche" means Rock Castle.
It's about a half hour drive from the center of Cincinnati (22 miles). It's a pretty easy drive and the last couple of miles are interesting because you travel downward along a narrow and winding wooded road to arrive at the castle nestled alongside the Little Miami River. That's the actual name of the river. And it proved to be invaluable to the castle because much of the stone and rock was brought up from it.
The castle is open daily to the public for a small entrance fee and it is very active with lots of events and things happening like overnight stays and wedding hostings. Visit their official website for more information including open hours. Loveland Castle Website
So, during open hours you pay a small fee to get onto the grounds of the castle then you are free to roam around the grounds and the floors of the castle. There is also a nice little gift shop just inside the main entrance.
This following picture shows the small road (shore drive) . We are standing on the road; the castle is in front of us and the Little Miami River is right behind us maybe thirty yards away.
The castle itself is very nicely situated with a large wooded hill behind it, then shore drive then the river. It's a nice location - Mr. Andrews did a nice job of selecting the site and how to situate the castle.
Inspiration
Harry Andrews, the builder of the castle was intensely interested in the actual castles and the actual knights of the middle ages in Europe. He served in Europe as a medic during WWI and he was inspired by the castles he saw. He designed this castle to be much like those of the 10th to 12th century and particularly Northern France and the British Isles.
About the building of the castle
It was 99% built by one man (Harry D. Andrews) who lived from 1890 to 1981. He had served in World War 1 as a medic in Europe and he was enamored by the European Castles. Upon returning to America he set out to build his own castle and begun work in 1929 and continued work for the next 50+ years until he passed away. Although the first twenty five of those years the progress was slow and he regularly only spent about an hour a week on the castle. It wasn't until he retired from his regular job at Standard Publishing Foundation that he focused all his attention and time on completing the castle.
He also founded an organization called The Knights of the Golden Trail who are now the caretakers of the castle.
Timeline:
1927 The original plot of land was purchased (more lots were added at later points)
The grounds were used for camping
1929 - The castle building officially started
1939-1945 (WW2) Building was stopped because of rationing of gasoline and cement.
1955 Andrews retired from his job and commenced building the castle full time.
1959-60 The main floor was completed
1973 The Knights of the Golden Trail were incorporated in the state of Ohio.
1981 Andrews passed away
Today - The castle is in the care of the Knights of the Golden Trail who maintain it and it is open to the public for daily self guided tours and special events like weddings.
When driving to the castle you arrive at the parking lot like this:
This next picture shows the council chamber room on the second floor. This is where knights would meet for discussions, for meals and for entertaining guests.
Harry Andrews, the builder of the castle was intensely interested in the actual castles and the actual knights of the middle ages in Europe. He designed this castle to be much like those of the 10th to 12th century and particularly Northern France and the British Isles.
The footprint of the castle is small in terms of castles at about 96 feet by 65 feet.
The Main floor contains three rooms not counting the tower corners take up by stairways. This floor has a living room, a kitchen and a small office.
The second floor has the council chamber room and a balcony.
This next picture is of the fighting deck on top of the castle.
The castle also has two small dungeons and an imprisonment tower.
