PIATT CASTLE

Judge Benjamin and Elizabeth Piatt moved their family here from Cincinnati in 1828. The house that they once lived in is now called the Pioneer House and contains an antique shop. In the same area, two homes were built by Abrham and Donn Piatt who were the sons of Benjamin and Elizabeth. These homes were called Piatt Mac-A-Cheek castle and Piatt Mac-O-Chee castle. These are open to the public for tours. I am not sure which of the buildings is pictured here. If someone knows for sure which it is, please leave me E-Mail and let me know.

I later received E-Mail that said:

Hi! I just wanted to let you know in case you haven't been informed yet about the picture you have on the Piatt Castle. This castle belong to Donn Piatt which was called "Mac-O-Chee". The names "Mac-O-Chee" & "Mac-O-Cheek" came from the shawnee people. The meaning of the names is "smiling valley".

Later, I received E-Mail that said:

Hello, My name is Margaret Piatt and I am President of Piatt Castles Co. Inc. I was excited to find your reference to my business and family home. My great-great grandfather, Abram S. Piatt was the original owner of Castle Piatt Mac-A-Cheek and his brother Donn had Mac-O-Chee Castle built. The Director of Education and Interpretation is Angie Warye and the Director of Business and Operations is Jimmy Harless. The picture you have on the screen is Mac-O-Chee. The names of both buildings are derived from the Shawnee phase meaning Smiling Valley.

I believe the phone number for more information about tours is:
937-465-2821

Later, I received E-Mail that said:

I visited the Piatt Mac-O-chee castle many time during the 20's,30's and 40's. As a child we would travel there by open touring car, tour the castle and have our picnic lunch on the castle grounds. A ghost was kept behind a door in one of the bedrooms and it was always a thrill for the children to see the ghost.

We were told the famous poet, James Whitcomb Riley was once a visitor to the castle and on looking down from the tower to the fields below was inspired to write one of his famous poems, When the Frost is on the Pumpkin.

The Piatt castle contained a the largest library in the state of Ohio.

When an indian came begging at the castle entrance he was given a small amount of food. During that winter other indians showed up and became very demanding. The gouges in the heavy front door are evidence of their attempt to storm the castle. (I assume they are still there---It has been many years since my last visit)

Later, I received E-Mail that said:

I have some info about the @ Piatt Castles in West Liberty,Ohio here is their website. http://www.piattcastles.org/

On 7-25-09, I received e-mail that said:

I found your website in a search of sites relating to the Piatt Castles in Ohio. I have just finished writing the biography of Donn Piatt, who built one of the two castles. The biography will, I hope, be published next year. Meanwhile I thought you and your wife might enjoy an article I published about Piatt some time ago:

http://www.unc.edu/depts/diplomat/item/2007/0103/life/bridges_piatt.html

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