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Willoughby Hills, Ohio (September 15, 2016) Cleveland has a wonderful park system – 18 nature preserves, called the Metroparks, that encircle the city. I grew up on the east side, and my favorite preserve was the North Chagrin Reservation, where there were woodlands, wetlands, wildlife, ball fields, trails, picnics areas, and more.
There was also a castle, called Squire’s Castle, and it was in my “backyard!” Well, truth be known, Squire’s Castle was not really a castle. Instead, it was the gatehouse of a planned estate, the first (and only) building that Feargus B. Squire, a VP with Standard Oil, constructed in the late-19th century on a 525-acre site. The Metroparks took over the gatehouse, which it named Squire’s Castle, when Squire sold the land. The inside, which was vandalized, was gutted, leaving only the shell. Debra and I visited this “ghost” castle (some believed it was haunted by Mrs. Squire’s spirit!) when we were in town for a family wedding. It was fun to walk the grounds and meander inside the gatehouse, and to dream of a time of castles, dragons, and a fair (blond) maiden to share my fantasy with! |
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