The Hidden Castle Near Cleveland That Almost No One Knows About
When it comes to castles, it is never really a surprise when you find one in the community surrounding Cleveland. After all, the scenery here is straight out of a fairy tale. However, when you find something as massive and majestic as this castle so close to home, one has to wonder… how did this stay hidden? This one spectacular castle is a little over an hour to reach from most parts of Cleveland, but it is well worth the drive.
Located at 200 Glamorgan Street in Alliance, this stunning castle is amazingly close to home. Its grounds are flawlessly manicured and the interior is purely breathtaking. It is a scene straight out of a fairy tale, and the charming Ohio landscape makes the perfect setting for this stunner.
Col. William Henry Morgan, the president and principal owner of the Morgan Engineering Co., was known as a Renaissance man. Everything he did, he did with a touch of expertise and a flair for the dramatic. This stunning castle is no exception.
By the time it was completed in 1909, this castle had a construction cost of an astonishing $400,000.
Over 100 tons of structural steel and 96 train car loads of Vermont marble went into construction of this manor. Plans became more elaborate as construction continued, and Morgan began to work in a variety of architectural styles.
The walls are said to be, at a minimum, 13 inches thick.
Durability is this castle's middle name! That's exactly what Morgan was going for. Enamored by the permanence of feudal castles, he set out to mimic it.
A true symbol of elegance, this stunner combines architectural styles of the Italian Renaissance and French Empire, but with modern comforts added, including a bowling alley and swimming pool.
Louis Rorimer, another Clevelander, tastefully decorated the interior.
The entirety of the interior is stunning. From the rotunda's rich embellishments to the intricacy of the grand staircase, there is much to delight the eye.
Much like the taste of Prince Prospero in Edgar Allan Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death," each room has distinctive and unique decor.
In the drawing room, empire-style richness accents everything from the grand fireplace to the green silk tapestry and mahogany trim. This room looks notably different than the Japanese breakfast room outfitted with bamboo trim and earthy grass cloth tapestry.
Today, this unique historic complex is owned and operated by the Alliance City School District, and you can actually tour it.
Guided tours are provided on Fridays at 1 and 2 p.m. A donation of $5 per person is requested, offering an affordable day trip that's not too far from home.
Plan a trip to visit this stunner, because its enchanting atmosphere will grace your dreams until you do.
We’ve all visited the beautiful grounds of Squire’s Castle or gazed up at the foreboding exterior of Franklin Castle, but Clevelanders have one more spot to add to our must-visit list. Glamorgan Castle is breathtaking, and it is too close to home to pass up.
Have you visited Glamorgan Castle? What was your favorite feature? Let us know in the comments!
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
