# Château Laroche

- **Country:** the United States
- **Location Text:** also known as Loveland Castle, Loveland, Ohio, built 1929.

Château Laroche, widely known as the Loveland Castle, is a unique curiosity museum located in Symmes Township, Hamilton County, Ohio, situated on the banks of the Little Miami River just north of Loveland. Construction of this medieval-style fortress began in 1927 and continued for over fifty years under the direction of Harry D. Andrews, a World War I veteran, Boy Scout troop leader, and dedicated medievalist. Andrews named the structure after a military hospital in France where he was stationed during the war, with the title translating to Rock Castle. The project was famously funded through promotional land plots obtained by purchasing subscriptions to The Cincinnati Enquirer, showcasing the founder's resourcefulness and determination.

The architectural history of the site is defined by Andrews' hands-on construction methods. He initially gathered stones directly from the nearby riverbed, and when that supply was depleted, he ingeniously molded his own bricks using cement and discarded quart milk cartons. Upon his death in 1981, Andrews bequeathed the property to his Boy Scout troop, the Knights of the Golden Trail, who have since maintained and extensively renovated the grounds. Today, the castle serves as an educational museum featuring a video presentation on Andrews' life, an upstairs chapel containing stones collected from his global travels, and recently expanded gardens with a greenhouse.

Beyond its architectural novelty, the castle holds significant local historical value as a testament to one individual's lifelong dream. It remains fully operational and preserved by the scout troop that inherited it, ensuring the legacy of its builder endures. The site has also garnered attention for local folklore, including persistent tales suggesting the castle is haunted, which adds a layer of mystery to its already fascinating background. Visitors can explore the completed towers and learn about the specific techniques used to create this Ohio landmark, which stands as a distinctive example of folk architecture in the United States.

![Photo of Château Laroche](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/36/Chateau_Laroche_2019c.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Château_Laroche (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)