UNKNOWN CASTLE

I received E-Mail that said:

I recently visited Salem, Ohio and discovered, in a residential area, a large stone tower that is presently located in the backyard of a bi-level. The remains of a moat are present as well. A stone wall runs the length of 2 blocks. Do you know anything about this castle? Friends of mine just moved to that area and I would like to give them some info on this very unusual find.

Later, I received E-Mail that said:

I grew up in Salem, Oh and the tower that is seen with a wall I believe is off of Highland Ave. and I believe belongs to Dr. Torte. This street was "millionaires row" to my friends and I. If more information is wanted I still have friends that live there and my mother will definitely know something about it.

On 12-22-09, I received e-mail that said:

I grew up in Salem, OH and my good friends owned the current house that has the "tower" in their backyard. It was the "rain barrel" for the Emeny mansion. I also had the opportunity to tour the house prior to them tearing it down in 1968. The two block "wall" mentioned in the earlier e-mail was simply the border that went around the property. If you follow it carefully - there used to be doors in it that went to underground storage to hold ice during the warm months. It was a beautiful place - but apparently just too expensive to heat. They tore it down and split the property up for newer smaller homes. The wall and the tower are the only things that remain. The following is from the Salem Historical web site:

J. Twing Brooks’ (Emeny) Mansion

This beautiful home, once located at 175 (575) Highland Ave., was built in 1891-92. It was one of the first stone houses built in Salem. Originally known as the “Andalusia Place,” the house took three years to build. Approximately 1,250 tons of sandstone were hauled by horse and wagon from a quarry in Beaver Falls. Brooks selected only the very best materials, including high-quality cherry, mahogany, birch, maple and oak for the paneling, cabinet and doors.

The home had 16 rooms, six baths, and required an 800,000 BTU furnace to heat it. There was a carriage house and a large water tower (still standing), which served as a cistern to filter rainwater for use in the home. George B. Emeny owned the structure when it was demolished in 1968. Some of the interior woodwork and a fireplace mantel are preserved at the Salem Historical Museum.

Does anyone know more about this?

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