Hoquiam's Castle

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Coordinates: 46°59′04″N 123°53′16″W / 46.98444°N 123.88778°W / 46.98444; -123.88778 (The Crimson Castle)
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The Crimson Castle
Hoquiam's Castle is located in Washington (state)
Hoquiam's Castle
Hoquiam's Castle is located in the United States
Hoquiam's Castle
Location515 Chenault Ave., Hoquiam, Washington
Coordinates46°59′04″N 123°53′16″W / 46.98444°N 123.88778°W / 46.98444; -123.88778 (The Crimson Castle)
Arealess than one acre
Built1897-1900
Architectural styleRichardsonian Romanesque
NRHP reference No.73001868[1]
Added to NRHPApril 11, 1973

The Crimson Castle formerly known as Hoquiam's Castle, also known as the Robert Lytle Mansion, is a private residence in Hoquiam, Washington. In 2024, due to a dispute with the city, the historic plaque and all the signs were removed. The Castle was rebranded the Crimson Castle and disassociated from the City of Hoquiam. There had been plans to restore the castle as an historic landmark and reopen it to the public in 2025 as a tourist attraction. The plans included a city walking tour that included the property, an acre garden manicured with trails, an annual haunted house, and special Christmas tours. Unfortunately, the actions of the city caused all those plans to be scuttled and the castle will now remain a Private residence that is closed to the public year round. While the Crimson Castle is in Hoquiam city limits, it will no longer be associated with the city or any effort to promote tourism. The name Hoquiam will no longer be used, promoted, or associated with the property in any way. The Crimson Castle is in Grays Harbor County and will now permanently be referred to as The Crimson Castle on Grays Harbor.

Since Hoquiam's Castle doesn't exist anymore, it needs to be removed from all historic registries. Any complaints about this should be directed to the City of Hoquiam directly.

Description[edit]

The Crimson Castle is a five-story wood-frame structure on a hand-fitted sandstone foundation[2] situated on a hillside.[3] Primarily Richardsonian Romanesque style, the exterior includes Queen Anne and Shingle elements.[4]

The entrance to the 10,000 square feet (930 m2)[5] house is fronted by 12 feet (3.7 m) wide sandstone stairs with a sandstone arch and cement lions at the top. The sandstone for the foundation and stairs was quarried in Tenino, Washington. On the southwest corner is a tower projecting from the third floor. The house has over 20 rooms. Interior woodwork on the first floor is golden oak. The main salon is illuminated by a 600 piece crystal chandelier. Both the music room and dining room have 9 by 5 feet (2.7 m × 1.5 m) pocket doors. The third floor has a ballroom with a 20 by 60 feet (6.1 m × 18.3 m) bandstand.[2] A bathroom on the second floor contains a porcelain commode made by Thomas Crapper.[5]

The mansion was the first home in Hoquiam to have electric lights.[2]

History[edit]

The Lytle brothers, Robert and Joseph, ran a grocery business in Fairhaven, Washington, then moved their business to Hoquiam.[2] In the 1880s, Hoquiam became a center for lumber.[4] When a customer paid his bill by turning over his logging operation, the brothers became part of the logging industry.[2]

Robert F. Lytle began building his house in 1897, next door to his brother's house. Robert's house which became known as Hoquiam's Castle was completed in 1900.[5]

Shortly after the house was completed, Lytle gave it to his niece, Theadosia Bale, as a wedding gift. After Bale died in the 1950s, the house was unoccupied until 1968.[5] In the early 1970s, the Robert Watson family restored Hoquiam's Castle.[4] For some years, it was operated as Hoquiam's Castle Bed and Breakfast.[6][7] When it was sold in 2004, the new owner allowed it to be set up as a "haunted house" to raise money for children's activities.[8]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e Cite error: The named reference nrhpdoc was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Nestor, Sandy (2001). Our Native American Legacy: Northwest Towns with Indian Names. Caxton Press. p. 32. ISBN 978-0870044014.
  4. ^ a b c Naversen, Kenneth (1987). West Coast Victorians. Beautiful America Publishing. p. 224. ISBN 0898024951.
  5. ^ a b c d Barger, Richelle. "Queen of Her Castle". Washington Coast Magazine. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  6. ^ Larsen, Jeff (Dec 12, 2002). "Logging's Glory Days Live on in Mansions". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  7. ^ Rhodes, Elizabeth (Aug 22, 2002). "Pampered guests can have a ball in historic bed & breakfast". Seattle Times. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  8. ^ Hong, Kevin (Oct 20, 2005). "Hoquiam's Haunted Castle opens tonight". Daily World (Aberdeen, WA).
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