The History of Squire’s Castle in the Metroparks
Squire’s Castle is one of the most unique and beautiful historical landmarks located in the North Chagrin Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks. Originally intended as the gatekeeper’s house for a much larger estate, this Romanesque Revival structure is now a beautiful, open-air stone shell that offers a safe space for local exploration.
Know Before You Go
- Location: North Chagrin Reservation, Willoughby Hills, Ohio.
- Cost: Free to visit and explore.
- Parking: Ample free parking at the Squire’s Castle Trailhead.
- Pet Policy: Dogs are welcome on leashes, making this a great spot for the whole family.
- Facilities: Modern restrooms and a large picnic pavilion are located within walking distance of the castle.
The 2026 Squire’s Castle Update
The Metroparks have improved the Squire’s Castle Trailhead. There is now ample parking and flat, paved paths nearby, making it much easier for families with strollers or mobility needs to reach the castle from the picnic area.
Cost: While the castle remains free to explore, renting it for private events (such as weddings) now typically costs about $100 per hour.
Sensory Audit: Squire’s Castle
- Visuals: High. The architecture is stunning, but the interior is bare stone. This is a “Minimalist” dream because there is zero visual clutter.
- Audio: Low to Medium. Because it is a shell, it can echo if there are loud groups. However, the surrounding “open expanses” of the North Chagrin Reservation offer immediate “Decompression Zones” if the inside feels too loud.
- Safe Base: The stone fireplaces (now empty) make for great “nooks” for kids to sit in and feel enclosed while still being in a wide-open space.
History of Squire’s Castle
Fergus Squire was an executive with Standard Oil Company. He lived on Euclid Avenue in Cleveland and eventually moved to Cobblestone Garth, a Victorian mansion on Wickliffe’s Millionaire Row. Squire married Louisa Christiana Braymaier on the day after Christmas in 1876.
In 1890, he purchased 525 acres of forested land east of Cleveland and called it River Farm Estate. He planned to turn it into an English country estate with a manor house. In 1895, he started constructing a gatekeeper’s house in the Romanesque Revival style and finished in 1897. German and English castles inspired it.
The Castle’s Structure
Squire’s castle was built with Euclid bluestone (blue sandstone) quarried nearby. It had a ground floor, two upper floors, and a basement in the height of its grandeur. Most importantly, the rustic structure lacked electricity, gas, and running water. Unfortunately, you can only explore the ground floor of this gatehouse today.
The plaques adorning the walls describe the rich history of Squire’s Castle:
The ‘castle’ as it was: The castle had several bedrooms, living areas, a large kitchen, and a breakfast porch. All the castle rooms had white plaster walls and elegant woodwork. Leaded-glass windows looked out onto the property.
When you stand in the main room of the ground floor today, you are standing in what was once Squire’s private library and hunting room. While it is now a minimalist stone hall, picturing it filled with heavy rugs, bookshelves, mounted animals, and trophy cases helps provide a “mental map” for children. Use the empty fireplaces as a reference point—these were once the cozy centers of a high-end Victorian study.
The Castle Today: Squire’s Castle is a favorite destination for families. Picnicking, hiking, and enjoying wildflowers are part of the castle experience. But mostly, the castle is a place to let your imagination wander, where you can explore, daydream, and reflect on a time gone by.
Find sensory and family-friendly fun in the Cleveland area with our guide to local plays!
Mr. Squire ran into trouble after having trouble obtaining building materials and labor. He and his daughter used the space as a weekend country home. They spent the majority of the summer of 1903 there. However, Squire’s wife disliked the gatehouse, and they abandoned it after 1908.
Squire seldom visited the castle after he retired from Standard Oil in 1909. He and his family toured Europe. He also served as a single-term mayor of Wickliffe and sold the estate in 1922 to developers who later went bankrupt.
The Haunting
The structure in Willoughby Hills, Ohio, is allegedly haunted. The legend explains that Squire’s wife woke one night during a storm and went downstairs to investigate. She was startled when the lightning illuminated the stuffed-animal heads in the structure’s trophy room. As the lightning crashed, Squire’s wife fell down the stairs and broke her neck.
However, the legend of Mrs. Squire breaking her neck here is purely urban. Rebecca Squire actually died of a stroke in Wickliffe in 1929.
Pro-Tip: If your family enjoyed the open-air exploration of Squire’s Castle, you’ll love the similar low-sensory experience of the Horton House Tabby Ruins on Jekyll Island.
According to legend, the ghost continues to float through Squire’s Castle. However, the myths surrounding the property’s haunting are false. She did not die at the estate but died at Cobblestone Garth on October 29, 1927.
If you enjoy history with a spooky twist, see our guide to haunted houses in Denver.
How it Entered the Cleveland Metroparks
A local bank eventually seized the estate, and the Cleveland Park Board purchased the land from the bank in 1925. Most importantly, they named it Squire’s Castle, removed the upper floors, and filled the basement.
Squire’s Castle was destroyed over the years. In other words, vandals smashed the leaded glass windows and removed all architectural details. In 1995, the Park Board restored the structure. Today, children love the aged design and have a blast with the vast amount of space.
Live-action role-play occurs in the expanse of grass out front. Weddings happen- engagements occur. Magic happens at Squire’s Castle, and this is a must-do day trip!
A Three Minute Reset
If the open expanse of the castle grounds becomes overstimulating or the weather turns, head 1.5 miles down the road to the North Chagrin Nature Center. It serves as an excellent “Reset Zone” with climate-controlled indoor exhibits, clean restrooms, and a much quieter atmosphere than the castle during peak weekend hours. It’s the perfect companion to a Squire’s Castle visit for families who need a structured environment after the “imagination-heavy” exploration of the ruins.
If you’re coming from the West Side, it’s a straight shot across I-480/271. Pack a gluten-free picnic from home because the food options immediately around the North Chagrin Reservation are limited.
If you don’t live in northeastern Ohio, hotels in Mentor or Beachwood are ideal for an overnight stay. Check out our review of the Embassy Suites in Beachwood, Ohio, or Staybridge Suites in Stow, Ohio.
Do you love a historical backstory? Please let me know in the comments!
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