Piatt Castles

The Piatt Castles, comprising the Abram S. Piatt House (Mac-A-Cheek) and the Donn S. Piatt House (Mac-O-Chee), are two historic residences located in Monroe Township, Logan County, Ohio, just east of West Liberty. Constructed beginning in 1864 by brothers Donn and Abram Piatt, these structures were completed in 1871 and 1879 respectively. Designed with a distinctive blend of Gothic and Flemish architectural styles, the three-story homes feature prominent towers, intricate woodwork, and painted ceilings. The estates sit approximately three-quarters of a mile apart on land originally granted to the family patriarch for his service in the American Revolutionary War, reflecting the lineage of French Huguenots who settled in the region.

Historically significant for their unique design and family legacy, the castles were described in an 1880 county history as existing in a state of almost baronial splendor. Their names derive from the nearby Shawnee village of Mackachack, linking the site to earlier regional history involving figures like Simon Kenton. The properties remained in the possession of the Piatt family for over a century, operating as public historic house museums from 1912 until 2019. In recognition of their architectural and historical value, both homes were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

Today, the condition and ownership of the two estates differ slightly following recent changes. While Mac-A-Cheek remains open to the public for tours and continues to be owned by the Piatt family, Mac-O-Chee was sold to local residents in October 2019. This sale was executed specifically to generate funds supporting the ongoing restoration efforts for the Mac-A-Cheek estate. Despite the change in ownership for one property, both castles stand as enduring monuments to the Piatt family's influence in nineteenth-century Ohio and continue to attract visitors interested in their romanticized medieval revival architecture.