DESCRIPTION: Sometimes it pays
to think big and sometimes it doesn't. Among the earliest in the
state to think really big were brothers, Britton and Samuel Craig.
They built a Governor's mansion in Ellensburg.
In 1889, three communities were in hot contention to become
capital of the state of Washington -- North Yakima, Ellensburg and
Olympia. Because of the central location of the first two, their
residents felt sure that one or the other would win the prize.
The Craig brothers came up with the bright idea of getting the
jump on the opposition by building a mansion for the governor. Just
the fact of its being there in all its shiny newness and opulence
should be enough to tip the scales in Ellensburg's favor.
Britton owned several lots on what is now called Craig Hill and
Samuel Craig was an experienced mason. They drew plans for a
three-story mansion with the top story designed to be a grand
ballroom. A six-sided tower on the northwest side of the palatial
building featured a spiral staircase.
Their foresightedness and enthusiasm fired their fellow citizens
and it was decided to lay out a major street to be named Capital
Avenue. This was done, but cagey city officials held back from
appropriating any money for the mansion.
So sure of themselves were the Craig brothers that they went
ahead with the building, placing a mortgage for $3,300 on the
property. After all, they had every good chance to make a bundle on
the building when the state took it over.
Ellensburg's future had never looked brighter. The population
had exploded from fewer than 600 in 1885, to almost 3,000 and an
increase over 400 per cent is not bad. At least it wasn't thought
bad in frontier days when they needed all the people they could
get.
In 1887, construction in town had included a three-story flour
mill, a bank, a roundhouse and shops for the railroad and 73 homes.
The next year, nine brick business blocks were laid out and
construction began on several large buildings. Two hundred homes
went up. The sound of the hammer was heard in the land to the tune
of a half million dollars. How could they lose?
But the Craig brothers did lose. Washington voters went to the
polls twice to vote on the location of the state capital. On the
second ballot in 1890, the majority vote went to Olympia.
There's not much you can do with a governor's mansion 157 miles
from the capital. Commuting had not yet been invented.
A sheriff's sale was held when the mortgage came due in 1893 and
Nathan Cushing bought the property for $4,300. After debts were
paid, the Craigs got $80.
In time the mansion became an apartment house and is now known
as the Castle Apartments. It is doubtful if any governor will ever
set foot in it.
Online Article
"Valley of the Strong, Stories of Yakima and Central Washington
History"
KIT Radio Publication by Wescoast Publishing Company,
1974
Additional
Instructions!! While Standing in front of the
Castle, head East to the 4 way stop intersection. Continue Walking
East 23 paces and North 44 Paces. Please note, two of my paces = 1
sidwalk square. I.e. 28 paces is approx. 14 sidewalk squares.
Equipment needed
Something to sign the log with.