Thornewood

Thornewood is a historic English Gothic estate located in Lakewood, Washington, constructed between 1909 and 1911. Designed by the renowned architect Kirtland Kelsey Cutter, the property was commissioned by Chester Thorne, a prominent financier and co-founder of the Port of Tacoma. The centerpiece of the estate, often referred to as Thornewood Castle, possesses a unique origin story; it was assembled using bricks and materials imported from a dismantled 15th-century Elizabethan manor that Thorne purchased in England in 1907. This ambitious project involved shipping the structural components across the Atlantic to be reassembled on the American West Coast, resulting in a sprawling complex of three buildings that covers approximately 27,000 square feet of interior space.

The site holds significant cultural recognition beyond its architectural merit, having been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since March 1982. Its atmospheric design has made it a popular location for film and television productions, most notably serving as the primary setting for the Stephen King miniseries Rose Red in 2002. More recently, exterior shots of the castle were featured in the Netflix horror anthology series The Haunting of Bly Manor, further cementing its reputation as a quintessential haunted house backdrop. These appearances have highlighted the estate's imposing presence and historical authenticity to a global audience.

Today, Thornewood operates as a multi-use hospitality venue, functioning as a bed and breakfast while also offering vacation rentals and serving as a premier location for weddings and special events. The property remains well-preserved, allowing visitors to experience the grandeur of early 20th-century craftsmanship blended with medieval English aesthetics. As both a functioning business and a protected historic landmark, the estate continues to honor Chester Thorne's original vision while adapting to modern tourism needs in the Pacific Northwest.