Monroe Township near West Liberty in Logan County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

What Happened to the Conservatory?

Photographed by Craig Doda, July 11, 2026

1. What Happened to the Conservatory? Marker

Inscription.

What Happened to the Conservatory?. . , Construction of Mac-A-Cheek Castle began in 1864 and was finished in 1871. The year 1868, which is chiseled on the south facade of the tower, indicates the completion of the stonework., This curious corner that mystifies many visitors to Mac-A-Cheek reveals clues to the interests and tastes of the original owners, Abram and Eleanor Piatt. The couple included in their new home a conservatory for growing flowers on this south west corner of the building. The outer glass walls were shaped in gothic arches. The now visible inner walls of limestone offer a more rustic look than the chiseled rough cut finish on the other exterior walls of the building. You can see the difference above and below the slanted roof beam that remains in the wall you are facing., In the 1920s, the glass walls of the conservatory were damaged and fell into disrepair. This image reveals the last roof section and final two window panels without glass.,

A Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening , By A.J. Downing 1860 edition. , The Conservatory or Green-House is an elegant and delightful appendage to the villa or mansion, where there is a taste for plants among the different members of the family. Those who have not enjoyed it cannot imagine the pleasure afforded by a well-chosen collection of exotic plants, which, amid the genial warmth of an artificial climate, continues to put forth lovely blossoms and delicate perfumes, when all out-of-door nature is chill and desolate. The many hours of pleasant and healthy exercise and recreation … are not a trifling consideration where the country residence is the place of habitation throughout the whole year., The difference between a green-house and a conservatory is … in the former the plants are all kept in pots and arranged … to meet the eye agreeable and for more convenient growth; while in the conservatory the plants are grown in a bed or border of soil precisely as in the open air. When either of these plants habitations is to be attached to the house, the preference is greatly in favor of the conservatory.

Construction of Mac-A-Cheek Castle began in 1864 and was finished in 1871. The year 1868, which is chiseled on the south facade of the tower, indicates the completion of the stonework.

This curious corner that mystifies many visitors to Mac-A-Cheek reveals clues to the interests and tastes of the original owners, Abram and Eleanor Piatt. The couple included in their new home a conservatory for growing flowers on this south west corner of the building. The outer glass walls were shaped in gothic arches. The now visible inner walls of limestone offer a more rustic look than the chiseled rough cut finish on the other exterior walls of the building. You can see the difference above and below the slanted roof beam that remains in the wall you are facing.

In the 1920s, the glass walls of the conservatory were damaged and fell into disrepair. This image reveals the last roof section and final two window panels without glass.

A Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening
By A.J. Downing 1860 edition.
The Conservatory or Green-House is an elegant and delightful appendage to the villa or mansion, where
Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online
there is a taste for plants among the different members of the family. Those who have not enjoyed it cannot imagine the pleasure afforded by a well-chosen collection of exotic plants, which, amid the genial warmth of an artificial climate, continues to put forth lovely blossoms and delicate perfumes, when all out-of-door nature is chill and desolate. The many hours of pleasant and healthy exercise and recreation … are not a trifling consideration where the country residence is the place of habitation throughout the whole year.

The difference between a green-house and a conservatory is … in the former the plants are all kept in pots and arranged … to meet the eye agreeable and for more convenient growth; while in the conservatory the plants are grown in a bed or border of soil precisely as in the open air. When either of these plants habitations is to be attached to the house, the preference is greatly in favor of the conservatory.

Erected by Piatt Castle Mac-A-Cheek; The Mac-A-Cheek Foundation for the Humanities; The Columbus Foundation; Mary Eleanor Morris Fund.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic

Photographed by Craig Doda, July 11, 2026

2. What Happened to the Conservatory? Marker

lists: Architecture • Forts and Castles • Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.

Location. 40° 15.056′ N, 83° 43.619′ W. Marker is near West Liberty, Ohio, in Logan County. It is in Monroe Township. It is at the intersection of Route 47 and Ohio Route 245, on the right when traveling north on Route 47. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10051 Township Rd 47, West Liberty OH 43357, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Till Plains.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Connecting the Conservatory to the Garden (here, next to this marker); Over a Century of Tours: Family Business (here, next to this marker); From Generation to Generation

Paid Advertisement

(a few steps from this marker); Aftermath of Logan’s Raid (a few steps from this marker); Over a Century of Tours (a few steps from this marker); Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks (a few steps from this marker); A History of Historic Markers (a few steps from this marker); Finding the Balance Between History & Legacy (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Liberty.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 30, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.