Thornewood Castle: Washington’s Gothic Masterpiece, Haunted History, and Hollywood Fame
Nestled on the tranquil shores of American Lake in Lakewood, Washington, stands an architectural anomaly: Thornewood Castle. Far from the rugged, frontier image often associated with the Pacific Northwest, this majestic edifice is a meticulously crafted English Gothic manor, complete with turrets, battlements, and stained-glass windows that whisper tales of centuries past. It is a structure born of a grand romantic gesture, imbued with a rich history, touched by the supernatural, and cemented into modern popular culture through a terrifying Hollywood production. More than just a house, Thornewood Castle is a living, breathing testament to ambition, enduring craftsmanship, and the captivating power of a good story.
The story of Thornewood begins with Chester Thorne, a prominent financier and industrialist from Tacoma, Washington, and his beloved wife, Anna. A man of immense wealth and discerning taste, Thorne harbored a singular vision: to build a genuine English country estate for Anna on the shores of American Lake. This wasn’t to be a mere imitation, but an authentic transplantation of European elegance to the nascent American West. In 1907, Thorne embarked on a journey to England, not for inspiration, but for the very building blocks of his dream.
He returned with a treasure trove of architectural elements: 24 freight cars loaded with 400-year-old red bricks salvaged from a dismantled 15th-century English manor, ancient oak paneling, grand staircases, and perhaps most famously, priceless stained-glass windows, some reportedly from Westminster Abbey. This audacious act of transatlantic architectural salvage underscored Thorne’s commitment to authenticity. He then commissioned Kirtland Cutter, the renowned Spokane architect famous for his opulent designs for Pacific Northwest magnates, to weave these historical components into a cohesive, breathtaking whole.
Construction began in 1908 and spanned three intensive years, culminating in 1911. The result was a 27,000-square-foot, 54-room mansion, a breathtaking example of Tudor Gothic and Jacobean Revival architecture. The exterior, with its aged bricks and crenellated towers, looked as if it had stood for centuries on the English countryside. Inside, the opulence continued: a grand hall featuring a 20-foot high fireplace, intricately carved oak paneling adorning walls and ceilings, and the pièce de résistance – the imported stained-glass windows that cast kaleidoscopic patterns across the polished floors, each pane telling a silent story from its European past. The original cost of the castle was a staggering $1 million, an astronomical sum in the early 20th century, equivalent to tens of millions today.
For Chester and Anna Thorne, Thornewood Castle was more than a home; it was a social hub, a symbol of their prominence, and a testament to their love. They entertained lavishly, their grand halls echoing with laughter and music. Anna, a passionate gardener, transformed the surrounding grounds into exquisite English gardens, complete with a sunken garden, rose beds, and meticulously manicured lawns sloping down to the lake. It was an idyllic life, a slice of old-world grandeur meticulously recreated in the heart of Washington State.
However, even castles cannot escape the passage of time and the changing fortunes of their inhabitants. After Chester Thorne’s death in 1927 and Anna’s passing in 1954, the castle embarked on a quieter, more uncertain chapter. It passed through various hands, serving at one point as a retirement home, and for a period, stood vacant, its grandeur slowly succumbing to the ravages of neglect. The once vibrant gardens became overgrown, the intricate interiors gathered dust, and the very air within seemed to hold its breath, waiting for a new dawn.
That dawn arrived in the late 1990s when the castle was purchased by its current owners, Dan and Deanna DeBruyn. They embarked on a monumental restoration project, breathing new life into the historic structure. Their vision was to restore Thornewood to its former glory and open its doors to the public, transforming it into a luxurious bed and breakfast and a premier venue for weddings and events. It was during this period of revival that Thornewood Castle would achieve an unexpected level of international fame, albeit through a fictional lens.
In 2002, Thornewood Castle became the star of Stephen King’s chilling ABC miniseries, "Rose Red." King, a master of horror, crafted a tale of a sprawling, malevolent mansion in Seattle, allegedly haunted by its past inhabitants and imbued with a terrifying, sentient evil. The production team, seeking an authentic, gothic American castle, found their perfect setting in Thornewood. Its ancient bricks, shadowy corridors, and imposing presence provided the ideal backdrop for King’s fictional "Rose Red" mansion.
The decision to film at Thornewood was a double-edged sword. While it brought unprecedented exposure and tourism, it also blurred the lines between fiction and reality. Many viewers, captivated by the miniseries, began to associate Thornewood with the sinister events depicted in "Rose Red," even though the story was entirely fictional and the castle’s true history, while rich, was devoid of the violent supernatural occurrences imagined by King. The owners had to navigate this newfound fame, often clarifying that while the castle itself was real, the horror story unfolding within its walls on screen was pure fantasy.
Yet, the association with "Rose Red" inadvertently amplified an existing facet of Thornewood’s allure: its own quiet, historical hauntings. Long before Stephen King’s cameras rolled, whispers of unexplained phenomena circulated among staff, guests, and previous residents. These aren’t the dramatic, malevolent hauntings of "Rose Red," but rather subtle, lingering presences that suggest the castle’s past inhabitants might not have entirely departed.
The most frequently reported spectral resident is believed to be Anna Thorne herself. Her gentle spirit is said to manifest as cold spots, the faint scent of roses (her favorite flower), or the inexplicable sound of rustling silk in the hallways. Guests have reported objects moving on their own, the soft closing of doors, or fleeting glimpses of a woman in period attire. One particularly intriguing tale involves a "red room" (not associated with "Rose Red" but a specific room within the castle) where a previous owner, perhaps not the original Anna, is believed to reside, often making her presence known through temperature drops or the feeling of being watched.
"It’s never malevolent," one staff member reportedly remarked, "more like a benevolent curiosity. They just seem to be checking in on their home." The castle’s history of serving as a retirement home also adds layers to its spectral tapestry, with some believing that the spirits of former residents, attached to the comforting grandeur of the building, chose to remain. These stories, collected over decades, add another layer of mystique to Thornewood, inviting visitors to not only appreciate its beauty but also to ponder the veil between worlds.
Today, Thornewood Castle stands as a magnificent testament to its past and a vibrant part of its present. The DeBruyns’ meticulous restoration has ensured that every detail, from the antique furnishings to the original stained-glass windows, is preserved and celebrated. As a bed and breakfast, it offers guests the unique opportunity to sleep within the walls of a genuine American castle, to wake up to the sun filtering through 400-year-old glass, and to explore its many hidden nooks and crannies.
It has become one of the most sought-after wedding venues in the Pacific Northwest, providing a fairy-tale setting for countless couples. The Grand Hall, with its towering fireplace and rich oak, is perfect for ceremonies, while the elegant dining rooms host lavish receptions. The meticulously restored gardens, once Anna Thorne’s pride and joy, now offer a picturesque backdrop for photographs and a tranquil space for reflection.
Thornewood Castle is more than an architectural marvel; it’s a cultural landmark. It embodies the audacious spirit of American enterprise, the romanticism of a bygone era, and the enduring power of a place that holds countless stories within its ancient bricks. From Chester Thorne’s grand vision to its starring role in a Stephen King thriller, and from its quiet, alleged hauntings to its modern-day role as a living museum and luxury retreat, Thornewood Castle continues to enchant, intrigue, and inspire. It remains a unique jewel in Washington’s crown, a piece of England perfectly transplanted, waiting to share its captivating history with all who step through its imposing, age-old doors.
