Hoquiam's Castle Bed and Breakfast
Inn, front entrance. At left, top, the front parlor with a grand
piano, and a tour group. Center left, a guestroom, and bottom
left, a guest bathroom.
Polson Museum, Hoquiam's Castle, are
just some of the attractions in Hoquiam
By Eileen F. Gieser
Vidette Freelancer
This article first appeared in 2002
The birdcage elevator is long gone, but what used to be the Polson
Mansion is enjoying its present role as the Polson Museum
located in Hoquiam.
Mrs. Polson was persuaded in 1976 to donate her old residence
as a museum, and since then the efforts to restore its former
elegance have succeeded. The new area rugs show off the refinished
wood floors to perfection, the hall staircase curves around a
massive grandfather clock instead of an elevator, and the donated
furnishings make it hard to believe that this was just an empty,
neglected house in 1976. Stripped of furnishings and even some
light fixtures, the Polson mansion barely resembled the framed
photos that are now posted in many of its rooms. Photos that
were taken in 1941 by a photographer with unusual foresight;
photos that depict bedrooms with satin coverlets, living rooms
with art collections and a dining room with graceful furniture
and built-in glass cabinetry. The massive grandfather clock took
up residence in 1986 when the building was used by Kneipps Jewelers.
It is so heavy that when the recent carpeting was done, the old
carpet was carefully cut around it instead of having it moved.
Made in three pieces, the clock dates from 1870 and is the first
object to greet visitors as they enter the front door.
Stepping to your left, you see the spacious living room with
its vintage 1879 Steinway Grand piano. The curator, John Larson,
will point out the continuous run of floorboards that extend
38 feet. Finding floorboards that length today would be impossible,
but it wasn't for the Polson family. They owned three sawmills.
Robert Polson built the 6,500 square foot home in 1924 as a wedding
gift for his nephew, Arnold Polson. The wedding of Arnold Polson's
daughter took place in the 1940s on the raised terrace next to
the main entrance, and a temporary rotunda was erected for the
occasion. From the year 1924 to 1965 the house was the main residence
of the Polsons. But in 1965 they moved to Seattle and three years
later Mr. Polson died. The building was occupied by various businesses
until it was left vacant and gradually became run down.
In a massive effort by local volunteers, it was snatched from
the jaws of decay, the walls scraped free of damp and mildewed
wallpaper, the leaks fixed, the electricity and plumbing repaired.
As with any old and venerable building, this is an ongoing project.
But even while publishing their wish list in their newsletter,
the volunteers continue to work with what they have. The website
of www.polsonmuseum .org, http:// www.polsonmuseum. org/ will
give you some idea of what they have accomplished and what still
needs to be done. Train buffs will delight in the HO-scale railroad
set up in one of the upper bedrooms, built to simulate an old-time
logging operation with a logging town, log dump, clear-cut and
logging camp. The library is available for researchers, boasting
a collection of maritime documents, rare book collections and
aerial photos of Grays Harbor County. The house is for rent at
a nominal fee for private parties. The ridiculously low rental
amount can give you the perfect location for a wedding reception,
a family reunion, a ladies tea or any cultural event. Local caterers
can provide refreshments at their usual charge, or the kitchen
is available to use with your own dishes, cooking utensils and
linens. Some teacups, saucers and snack sets are available on
loan from the mansion. Cleanup is the responsibility of the renter.
The Rose Society is hard at work in the front yard to develop
the "budding" rose garden. The two acres of grounds
are well kept, there is a spacious parking lot and the gift shop
has unusual items for sale. Open on weekends or midweek by appointment,
call 360-533-5862 for the current schedule. Admission for family
is $5, adults $2 and children $.50. Located alongside the Hoquiam
River at 1611 Riverside Avenue in Hoquiam. Website is http://www.polsonmuseum.org/
···
The Hoquiam Railway Station is a short drive from the
Polson Museum and is featured in the archives of the museum.
It is under consideration as a community center by the city of
Hoquiam, but has fallen short by only one vote on a bond issue
to make this a reality, so the building is awaiting funds for
continued restoration. Built in 1914, it served as a terminus
for three transcontinental railroads, but saw its last paying
passenger in 1955. The grounds are well maintained and the exterior
has had a facelift with new paint and new roof. The inside is
bare sheetrock and original Terrazo floors. In the summer of
2000, over 100 passengers boarded several restored cars to take
a tour of Grays Harbor businesses in the project "Showcase
Grays Harbor 2000". With a little effort, this could be
a regular event, and the city of Hoquiam may hear the train clatter
past on a regular basis.
···
After a day touring the museum and admiring the train station,
a stop at the old fashioned 7th Street Deli and Sweet Shop
can provide lunch or dessert. The proprietor, Chris Raders, will
serve soup or sundaes, and seems to anticipate your needs. He
took over the building in 1996. His responsible redecorating,
including replacement of the outdoor sign, maintains the vintage
look and ambience of the 1928 building. The old sign was carefully
taken down and refurbished, then placed above the soda fountain.
The homey red and white checkered tablecloths beckon the diner
to sample beef noodle soup or cappuccino. A genuine soda fountain
invites many a school child to taste waffle cones and old time
sundaes. Located at 317 Seventh Street, across from the refurbished
bus station, this nostalgic dining establishment can be reached
at telephone number 360-532-4784.
···
For entertainment by world class performers, step next door to
Hoquiams own 7th Street Theatre. The 7th Street Deli and
Sweet Shop occupies what used to be the Theatre office. Built
in 1928, it has a current line up of five concerts, ranging from
opera stars to trumpet players. Membership is only $35 for adult,
$10 for students and $80 for families. Family memberships include
parents and two or more school age children. Current maintenance
and restoration is by volunteers of Friends of the 7th Street
Theatre. You cannot attend a concert here without the performers
remarking on the incredible acoustics. The coved ceiling simulates
the evening sky and the carved columns and recessed lighting
creates that old Hollywood magic for theatergoers. Built at a
cost of $175,000, the theatre hosted famous performers such as
Will Rogers and Leontyne Price, as well as vaudeville, prizefights
and wrestling matches. It served as a movie house in 1958 after
which it had brief openings in the 1960s and 1980s. It finally
closed in 1983 and was purchased by the Friends of 7th Street
in 1987, who began its current restoration. Beauty pageants and
Elks band concerts, Easter services and fundraisers are all taking
place in this old building today. Current efforts are to refurbish
the seats, upgrade the lighting systems and provide a new stage
curtain, to name just a few of the many renovations needed. However,
the emblems of Comedy, Drama, Tragedy and Cinema are still in
perfect condition on the pillars flanking the stage. The tile
work in the lobby fountain is the same deep blue as when the
theatre opened on July 10, 1928. The original Spanish decor is
still apparent in the heavy wooden entry doors, complete with
studded nails and perforated lead sheets. The curved banisters
lead patrons up to the auditorium that seats 1,100. Six original
backdrops are appropriate for any performance, and the Steinway
Grand piano remains a treasured asset for visiting musicians.
For booking the theatre or for information on upcoming events,
contact Friends of 7thStreet Theatre, c/o Grays Harbor Community
Concert Association, P.O. Box 161, Hoquiam, WA 98550. For information
on the concerts scheduled from September to April,
call 360-533-4582.
···
When youre ready for a good nights sleep, no grander bedroom
can be found than one at the newly restored bed and breakfast,
Hoquiams Castle.
The current owners, Dave and Linda Carpenter, allow tours of
the common areas and the five bedrooms and private baths, provided
they are unoccupied. Breakfast is served to patrons in the main
dining room or the tearoom, but private teas have been held on
a reserved basis. The 10,000 square ft. mansion was originally
built by lumber Baron Robert Lytle in 1897. The years from the
late 1950s to the 1960s saw it fall into disrepair, when neighborhood
children entered it and roller-skated on the wood floors. It
is fortunate that no real damage was done before the Watson family
bought it in 1968, giving tours while restoring and living in
it until 1992. Jim Spencer owned it from 1992 to 1999, continuing
to allow tours. It was purchased in 1999 by the present owners
and remodeled to add more bathrooms and redecorated. It has been
operating since then as a bed and breakfast.
The furnishings are traditional and antique; the lovely area
rugs are floral and oriental and rest on refinished wood floors.
Some of the baths have claw foot tubs, others new showers with
a vintage look. Stained glass and canopy beds are part of the
décor. The parlor and upper floors are sometimes reserved
for weddings and receptions. Visit their website at www.hoquimscastle.com
to take a photo tour of the bedrooms and common rooms. The mansion
is located on a hill overlooking Hoquiam at 515 Chenault Avenue,
with parking at the street level. Call 360-533-2005 for reservations
and tours. When you stay here, wake up in the morning to look
out the window over a city that treasures its past. |
