Quick Stops: Squire's Castle (Revisited) in the Winter

As part of my "farewell tour" of NE Ohio before driving back home to Southern California in February, I had to see a favorite local destination one last time. And the timing couldn't have been any better.

On the day I drove out to the Cleveland Metroparks North Chagrin Reservation, it had snowed overnight with very little wind, leaving a beautiful coating of undisturbed powder on trees and on the sides of the road. For the first time in a long time, winter was romantic again.

I took the long route through the park toward Squire's Castle, stopping to admire this wonderland of perfectly clear roads and snowy pathways. In some areas, people were riding their horses on the equestrian trails parallel to the auto route. When I reached the castle, I threw on my Yaktrax walkers and trod into the knee-deep, snow-covered field to capture some breathtaking shots. Just enjoy the photos...I know when to shut up and let the images talk.

Quick Stops: Squire's Castle (Willoughby Hills, OH)

Just because I'm still waiting for Eleanor to return to Cleveland (she's still down in Columbus for repairs) doesn't mean I can't continue to be a tourist in my own local area.

On a random, rainy weekend when Matt was up here, we started driving around the area behind the West End YMCA in Willoughby and came across the North Chagrin Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks. In one of them was an interesting site called Squire's Castle, the stone remnants of a residence that once belonged to Feargus B. Squire, one of the founders of the Standard Oil Company. Here are a few of my photos from that visit. I hope to come back here on the motorcycle, after the leaves grow back on the trees.

The sign leading up to the castle. Time to invade it! (I had to say it, didn't I?)

Some short history of Squire's Castle on one of the walls.

This place has multiple floors, but they're not [easily] accessible.

It's a strange structure that looks very out of place, but could you imagine that view outside your window every morning?

I think if I stare at this a bit longer we could be surrounded by Normans. Or Saxons.

Old entrances are filled in, but it would be safe to assume there were rooms up there.

A well-placed path. You could see the enemy coming! Arrows on the ready?

So there you have it...a castle. In Cleveland. Because you can.