Nestled on four acres at American Lake in Washington State is a historic gem among old growth fir trees. Thornewood Castle is an English Gothic mansion, and is said to be the “one of the few genuine private castles in the United States and the only one on the West Coast.”

This historic spot is open for overnight stays and venue rentals, so let’s dive into its history.

According to Thornewood Castle, in 1907 a man by the name of Chester Thorne bought a 400-year-old Elizabethan manor in England. He had it dismantled and shipped over to Tacoma. Using the manor, he created the Tudor Gothic home that exists today.

That means items like the front door, oak paneling, and oak staircase all came from inside the castle. Plus the home is also filled with over 100 pieces of stained glass. All of which were salvaged from 15th & 16th-century churches.

The castle sits on three acres of grounds and lakefront, which includes a porch, and “the sunken garden,” a private dock and beach.

“The ‘secret’ sunken English garden was designed by the Olmsted Brothers and exists today much as it did when the Thornes lived here,” states the castle’s website.

The Olmstead Brothers are the same duo who designed Central Park and also several local parks including Volunteer Park. So not only is the inside of this castle beautiful but the outside is too.

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So how can you check out this special place?

The Castle states that it offers over 27,000 square feet of living space, with 54 rooms, including 22 bedrooms and 22 baths.

To visit, it offers overnight rooms, vacation rentals, and also operates as a venue for special events.

There are different suites available for your overnight stay, available on different levels of the castle. As for the venue, you have the choice to book the indoor or outdoor space for your special event.

You can learn more about Thornewood Castle by visiting their website.

Thornewood Castle

Where: 8601 N Thorne Ln SW, Lakewood

Curiocity Staff

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