Area less than one acre NRHP Reference # 72001032 Architectural style Romanesque architecture | Built 1890 Opened 1890 Added to NRHP 23 February 1972 | |
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Address 125-199 N Ontario St, Toledo, OH 43604, USA Similar Pythian Home of Missouri, Fiberglas Tower, Glass Pavilion, SeaGate Convention Centre, Fifth Third Field | ||
The Pythian Castle in Toledo, Ohio is a Romanesque style building that was built in 1890. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
History
Built in 1890, this five floor building is the only castle in Toledo. Built by a secret fraternity, the origins of the building are mostly unknown. Folklore of the building cites hauntings throughout its existence. It is located in Toledo's Center City at the corner of Jefferson Avenue and N. Ontario Street.
Used as a retail space up until a fire in 1978, the building has since fallen into disrepair. Continued support for the castle has kept it from being demolished. Part of former Mayor Carty Finkbeiner's 'Dirty Dozen', Pythian Castle has needed work for over 40 years. With the renaissance of Toledo's core, including its downtown and UpTown neighborhoods, renewed interest in Pythian Castle has surfaced as early as 2008, but the movement began in early 2013.
There have been some roadblocks in the success of the historical building. One of the most apparent is the funding of such a large renovation to make the castle up to code. The Greyhound Station in the next block over has caused some impedance on the public's willingness to give the building a proper chance.
In early 2013, The Toledo Blade did an investigation of the building's history and viability of the future. On July 10, 2013, the Toledo Blade announced that the building was acquired by the Lucas County Land Bank for future redevelopment. The Land Bank sold the building to developer David Ball in November, 2016, in a deal that included a $274,000 grant to Ball to cover the cost of a new roof for the building and the stabilization of its turret.