Enjoy A Walk Through History At What Was Once A Private Castle In Washington
By Jessica Wick|Published April 15, 2022
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Jessica Wick
Author
Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State.
As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.
Port Townsend is Washington’s historic Victorian village. Between its romantic seaside charms, its lively history, and the abundance of paranormal activity, this little city attracts all kinds of tourists. So it makes sense that one of Washington’s only castles, Manresa Castle, is located here. And believe it or not, this spacious hotel was once a private residence in what must have been a very rough life.
Manresa Castle was originally constructed in 1892 as the home of Charles and Kate Eisenbeis.
Charles was a prominent member of the early Port Townsend business community, and he was eventually elected as the city's first mayor.
The business interests of Charles Eisenbeis were diverse, including including a bakery, brick works, a lumber mill, a brewery, a hotel, and even a bank.
This allowed him to build the largest private residence ever built in Port Townsend (complete with 30 rooms). Locals referred to it as the Eisenbeis Castle.
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Charles died in 1902, and Kate remarried a few years later. The Castle was left empty for almost 20 years with the exception of its caretaker.
In 1927, some local Jesuit priests purchased the building for use as a training college. They added a large wing, eventually calling the building Manresa Hall. When the building was converted into a hotel in 1968, the elements "Manresa" and "Castle" were taken from the two previous owners to create its current name.
