By Nikki Burkhamer

Chronicle Staff Writer

For generations of Logan Countians, the sight of Mac-O-Chee Castle rising above the rolling hills near West Liberty has felt almost magical. 

Long before it became a sought-after wedding destination, the Victorian Gothic-Style castle was a place of childhood field trips, family outings and local lore. Schoolchildren wandered its halls, craned their necks toward towers and turrets, while imagining knights, royalty and stories from long ago. 

It was a place of wonder. Brains were wracked with the thoughts of the inhabitants who lived inside the imposing home built by Donn Piatt and his family in the 1800s. 

It became part of the collective memory of Logan County — a landmark woven into the identity of the community itself. 

For many of us, the stone castle has simply always been there. Perched among the bounteous countryside, its silhouette has become as familiar as the cornfields, church steeples, and backroads that define home.

And when years of deterioration threatened its future, many in the community worried about what might happen to one of Logan County's most beloved landmarks.

Would it survive? Would it be preserved? Or would one of Logan County’s most recognizable icons eventually disappear? Then, in October of 2019, when Mac-O-Chee Castle went to auction, there was no guarantee what its future would look like.

Answering the Call

Today, that worry has been replaced with something else entirely: gratitude.

Gratitude that the castle remains standing. Gratitude that a local family chose to take on the enormous responsibility of preserving it. And gratitude that future generations will still have the opportunity to walk through its doors and feel the same sense of wonder that so many of us have felt throughout our lives.

“I think the relief that a lot of us felt when we heard that your family, a local family, bought the castle was pretty immense," I told Julie Cole during a recent visit to the castle.

It's a sentiment shared by many throughout the county. Because, while the castle belongs to history, it is also personally important to us.

Today, thanks to the efforts of the Cole family, the castle is entering a new chapter. Local twins Ryan (Julie) and Jason (Jami) Cole have continued their labor of love and rejuvenation for the cherished castle. 

“We love our community,” said Julie Cole, one of the castle’s owners. “We wanted to make sure that this beautiful piece of history was saved. It definitely felt like the right thing to do.”

When the property went to auction, the family considered purchasing the castle. They did have both the resources and the business experience needed to engage in such an enormous undertaking. 

Even so, purchasing the castle was only the beginning. Engineers warned the Cole twins, who also own Colepak in Urbana, that portions of the structure were in severe disrepair. Floors sagged. Walls had collapsed. The oldest section of the building, dating back to the 1850s, had suffered extensive damage.

“The engineers told us it needed to come down,” Julie recalled about the collapsed walls in the kitchen area. “We took great care in trying to bring it back to what it would have originally looked like.”

The work began with stabilization.

Floors sagged dramatically. Walls had collapsed. Entire sections of the building were compromised.

“Phase one was just saving it,” Jami explained. “Getting the slate roof restored, stabilizing floor joists, rebuilding walls, sealing holes — just making sure that the building wasn't continuing to deteriorate.”

A Labor of Love

What followed was years of painstaking restoration. The slate roof was restored. Floor joists were stabilized. Stonework was repaired. Historic light fixtures were purposefully rebuilt. Entire sections of the edifice were reconstructed using the original footprint whenever possible. 

Walking through the castle today, Julie Cole can point to dozens of examples of restoration work visitors might never notice. She remembers exactly what many rooms looked like when the family first took ownership.

"This room looks no different than what it did when we got it six years ago," Julie said while standing beneath one of the castle's grand ceilings. "It's just not getting more damaged."

The family remains committed to preserving original features whenever possible. Many examples hang overhead. Five ornate chandeliers that once illuminated the castle were diligently restored by Julie's uncle, Steve Roby, a lifelong antique collector and furniture restorer from Michigan.

“When we bought the castle, he was all in,” Julie said.

The project required laboriously disassembling each fixture, replacing missing pieces and even handcrafting intricate copper elements that could no longer be found.

“Those lights were a huge, detailed process,” she said. “They're gorgeous lights.”

Throughout the building, details from the castle’s past remain intentionally preserved. The original Butler’s Pantry cabinets, historic windows, antique furnishings, and even small architectural quirks that tell the story of the people who once lived there have been revived. 

Elsewhere, original windows, cabinetry, woodwork and architectural details remain intact. The Butler's Pantry still contains its original cabinets, and even the tiny mouse hole carved into the old woodwork stayed put. 

The former library holds shelves of books purchased during the castle auction. In the kitchen, visitors can see a fully restored South Bend stove similar to the one that originally served the Piatt family.

The Coles are especially grateful for the work of Jenny Detterman, whose keen eye for design and deep respect for history helped transform the castle's interior into a space that feels true to its origins. With remarkable attention to detail and a deep respect for the home’s original era, she thoughtfully selected furnishings and decorative touches that bring each room to life. Her dedication and refined eye have helped create an authentic atmosphere that allows visitors to step back in time and appreciate the castle’s historic charm. It’s the kind of careful craftsmanship that makes this local treasure truly special.

Behind the Unlocked Kitchen Door

For decades, the castle kitchen was a place of curiosity for local schoolchildren and visitors who wandered the halls of the Mac-O-Chee Castle, but we were never allowed beyond its doorway. Years of deterioration had left the space unsafe, with portions of the walls literally falling inward, making access impossible. Today, that once-forgotten room has been lovingly restored and stands as one of the castle's most fascinating hidden treasures.

Inside, visitors will find the original cast-iron stove that served the castle generations ago, painstakingly restored by Julie's uncle Steve, who used period-correct, heat-resistant paint.

“This is probably one of the most amazing things we have in the castle,” Julie said of the restored stove. “It's completely functional.”

Original features remain throughout the room, including the copper sink from the butler's pantry and a restored hand water pump, both preserved as reminders of daily life inside the historic home. Additional furnishings and period pieces, carefully gathered by Jenny Detterman, help recreate the warmth and character the kitchen would have held during the castle's early years.

When historical tours resume, the restored kitchen is expected to become a favorite stop for many Logan Countians who spent years wondering what was hidden behind that closed door. It's more than a renovated room; it's a glimpse into a part of the castle that the Piatt family used to sustain themselves hundreds of years ago.

A Gentleman’s Retreat

Long before it became a place for wedding-day memories, the area now serving as the groom’s suite played an important role in the daily life of the castle. The lower level once housed the ice house, where food was stored and processed before making its way into the main kitchen. Original dog kennels remain in place, while salvaged wood from the former house on the property serves as a reminder of the site’s layered history.

Today, the carefully restored space offers a welcoming retreat for grooms and their wedding parties, blending historic character with modern comforts. 

Upstairs, a once-unsafe area that had been closed off for years has been transformed into a handsome gathering room designed to resemble an old-world gentlemen’s club. 

Filled with antique furnishings, rich colors, and period-inspired details, the suite gives wedding parties a comfortable place to relax, watch the game, play cards or simply take in the excitement of the day. 

From Butler's Pantry to Bridal Suite

Tucked within the oldest portion of Castle Mac-O-Chee, the bride’s suite offers a glimpse into both the castle’s history and its future. 

Once part of the original 1850s home that later evolved into the beloved stone castle known today, the rooms have been thoughtfully restored to provide a beautiful and relaxing space for brides and their wedding parties. Sunlight pours through restored windows, illuminating antique furnishings, elegant draperies and historic architectural details that have become the backdrop for countless wedding-day photographs. 

Connected by the original butler’s pantry — where food was once passed from servants to the dining room — the suite blends authenticity with modern functionality, including newly added dressing areas and private bathrooms. 

Custom stained-glass windows by Franklin Art Glass serve as stunning focal points, while hidden behind the walls are handwritten prayers, blessings, and Bible verses placed there during construction.

“That’s something where we felt like our faith could tie into this process,” Julie Cole said. “And who doesn’t want to bless a marriage?”

Today, the bride’s suite is one of the most cherished spaces in the castle, offering a quiet place to prepare, reflect, and celebrate before stepping into a wedding day that feels straight out of a storybook.

Castle Lore: The Breakfast Room Hearth

Every old castle has its secrets, and Mac-O-Chee may be hiding one in plain sight. 

In what, recently married Madeline Cole Lapp calls the Breakfast Room, visitors can see what appears to be an ordinary marble hearthstone in front of a long-unused fireplace. But if you ventured into the basement and looked upward at the stone, you would be met with the unexpected words: "Here Lies Esther.” 

Sometime in the castle's past, a gravestone was repurposed as part of the fireplace, leaving behind a mystery that no one has been able to fully explain.

Today, it remains one of the castle's most intriguing pieces of lore—and one that is sure to spark conversation when historical tours return. 

Who was Esther? Why was her marker placed beneath the fireplace? And who made that decision? More than a century later, those answers remain unknown. For generations, countless visitors unknowingly walked by the stone without realizing they were standing near one of the castle's most unusual mysteries—a reminder that even today, Mac-O-Chee still holds stories waiting to be discovered.

Preserving The Piatt Legacy

For the Cole family, preserving the castle also means honoring the family who built it.

The story begins with Donn Piatt, who constructed the original section of the home in 1861.

Over time, additions transformed the residence into the castle visitors recognize today.

Throughout the restoration process, the family has worked closely with local historian Margaret Piatt, whose deep knowledge of the Piatt family history continues to shape plans for public interpretation.

"We have the most spectacular and knowledgeable resource we could ever have in Margaret," Jami said. "We want to make sure we are accurately portraying the history of the building and the Piatt family."

Future plans include expanding historical programming and eventually reopening portions of the property for educational tours.

Perhaps no one appreciates the transformation more than the residents of Logan County. Though the work is far from finished. Murals await restoration. The second floor has much to be rehabilitated. Historical displays are still being developed. 

Yet, plans are underway to eventually welcome public visitors to the castle once again. 

"Our goal was always to have school groups back," Jami said. "That's a huge part of the history of the castle."

For Logan Countians who spent childhood field trips wandering the grounds, that promise carries special meaning.

The owners hope to create self-guided historical tours so future generations can experience the castle the way so many once did. And with the Coles’ continued emphasis that Margaret Piatt is the one they turn to for information, it could even be Margaret’s recorded voice that would continue to educate future generations about the castle and its history. 

Their goal remains simple.

“To make sure people have access to it and can see the beauty and historical relevance of it for generations to come.”

For those of us who visited as children, the thought is especially meaningful. Those school tours sparked curiosity. They connected us to local history, and they helped make the castle part of who we are.

Building a Future

The owners speak often about balancing preservation with practicality. While preserving history remained the family's primary mission, the Coles understood the castle needed a sustainable future.

“We knew immediately after the auction that we had to make this economically viable,” both Julie and Jami explained. “We wanted to save this beautiful piece of history, but we also wanted to make sure it could support itself so it never ends up in the same position again.”

That vision led to the development of a wedding and event venue. Today, brides from near and far are choosing Mac-O-Chee Castle for their special day. 

“Many brides and grooms arrive to use ‘MOC’ from out of state, and I think that is awesome!” Julie emphasized. 

The newly constructed “Great Hall” and beautifully landscaped grounds complement the castle without overshadowing it. 

The family carefully considered how any new construction would affect the castle's appearance and character. From the grand stone staircases to the restored bridal suites and groom’s quarters, every space was designed with the castle as the centerpiece. Visitors often arrive speechless.

"Our hope for the building was to complement what existed and not compete with it," Jami said.

Today, brides and grooms travel from across Ohio and beyond to exchange vows at the castle. The venue has quickly become one of the most sought-after wedding locations in the region. Yet for Julie, the numbers matter less than what the place represents.

"I don't know who in their right mind would not want to get married here," I joked during a recent tour.

Standing in the bridal suite, overlooking stained-glass windows, restored stonework, and handmade historical touches throughout the building, it's easy to understand that enthusiasm.

A Difficult Decision for a Lasting Legacy

The decision to remove the house that once stood on the property was not made lightly. Jami said the ownership group struggled with the idea because preserving the castle's history has always been a priority. The house, which dated to approximately the 1940s or 1950s, sat on the site of an earlier log cabin and held sentimental value for many in the community. 

Throughout the planning process, the family consulted with Piatt family member,  Margaret Piatt. While Piatt's deep personal connection and appreciation for the castle's history made any change difficult, Cole said she understood the need to balance preservation with sustainability.

 "She's always been very supportive of our vision," Jami said. "I think any changes are hard for her because she loves this place so much, but she also understands that if it doesn't change, it's going to keep crumbling to the ground because it can't sustain itself." 

The Coles described Piatt as "very gracious" throughout the process, offering encouragement as the family worked to create a future for the historic property while honoring its past.

More Than Stone Walls

Standing inside the castle feels almost therapeutic. Sunlight streams through hand-blown glass imported from Germany. Original stone walls carry nearly 165 years of history. Historic rooms whisper stories of another era. Outside, the hills of Logan County roll endlessly toward the horizon.

For Jami, the best view can be found in one of the castle's upper turrets.

"If I just had a minute and could sit down and relax, I'd go up to one of the third-floor turrets," she said. "You can almost imagine what Donn and Ella saw when they looked out over the countryside."

The view remains largely unchanged from a century ago. Rolling hills stretch toward the horizon. Fields ripple in the wind. The landscape feels unmistakably like Logan County.

And perhaps that's why the castle matters so much.

It is not merely a wedding venue. It is not simply a historic building.

It represents something deeply etched into this area.

“God took our desire to be good to the community and to keep this around because we cared about it,” Jami said. “And it became something really impactful.”

For generations of Logan County families, Mac-O-Chee Castle has always been a part of life's memories.

Now, thanks to a local family willing to take on what Julie calls a "daunting challenge," those memories — and the castle itself — appear destined to endure.

Mac-O-Chee Castle isn't simply a famous landmark.

It's our landmark. Our history. Our memories. Our castle.

~*~

For more information about Mac-O-Chee Castle, visit their website: https://www.macocheecastle.com, their Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/Mac.O.Chee.Castle, their Instagram page: macochee_castle, their Pinterest page: MacOCheeCastle, or their TikTok page: macochee_castle. You may also email Julie or Jami at [email protected] or call (937) 699-4137 to book a future event. ■