One would not usually expect to find a stately castle in the State of Washington, but in the historic town of Hoquiam you can see one and best of all you can stay in and sample castle life at its finest. The Hoquiam Castle is actually a very beautifully constructed 19th century Victorian era style mansion that has been recognized and listed in both state and National Historic Registries and is one of the main attractions of the quaint city.
In 1897 Robert Lytle began construction of his 10,000 sq. ft. home on an area that overlooked the logging town, a town which logger’s built back in the 1850′s. Lytle made his fortune in this same trade by introducing the first electric saw mill in the west coast.
The castle was completed after three years in 1900. The Lytle’s called it their home for the next 10 years until the family transferred to Portland in 1910. The castle was then given as a wedding gift by the generous Lytle’s to their niece Theadosia Bale who called it her home up to the latter part of the 1950′s until her death.
The niece, Theadosia Bale, lived in the Victorian mansion for the next 40 years or so, until her death. The Castle as it was already referred to back then, became abandoned and unkept for almost 18 years. During this time the castle became a sort of curiosity for the younger generations who eventually overcome their imaginings that the place was haunted and made it into their adventure zone. The old place got a break when in 1968 it was bought by the Watson’s who repaired the house and soon made it back into a home. It is the Watson’s who also familiarized the residents and visitors to the marvelous craftsmanship and historical value and possible benefit of the residence since they started touring people into their home as proud as they were, this also opened a lot of people’s eyes to the simple truth, that city had a treasure in its midst.
The castle became a mouthpiece for what was and still is good about the town and the people who call it their home. It is one of the witnesses to the towns colorful and eventful past of lumberjacks and railroads, of memories and relations that forever make the town what is it to its residents and visitors, the warm feeling of a fatherly embrace welcoming you back but reminding you at the same time what’s nice and good about being alive.
In 1999 the castle was bought by a couple named David and Linda Carpenter and proceeded to utilize it as a bed and breakfast. David and Linda Carpenter painstakingly restored the home to its original state of glory, transforming it into what is known as Hoquiam Castle Bed and Breakfast, with five stately rooms that give an air of royalty to anyone choosing to stay in and enjoy the castle hospitality.
In 2004, The Castle Bed and Breakfast changed owners’ again and this time it was purchased by Donna Grow who still operates it as a five room bed and breakfast that offers the same amenities that made it possible to be part of the list of National Geographic’s “America’s Most Beautiful Homes” and people should better believe it, yes, in the town, in Washington State. The five rooms are aptly named after the supposed residents of a castle; The king’s suite, the queen’s suite, the princess’s suite and the knight’s room. You can also avail of the maid’s room granting you make a one week reservation so that the occupants, actually the owner’s can move out so that the visitor can stay in as a guest in the maid’s room and as such is Hoquiam’s hospitality.
The city is always a place where heritage and tradition is celebrated and honored with internationally renowned events like the Logger’s Playday and the bird watching activities in Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge. Natural, warm, nurturing attention something the City of Hoquiam and its Castle is never short of.
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categories: hotels,housing,development,real estate,property
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