Friday, April 15, 2011

The Patsy Clark Mansion

The Patsy Clark Mansion sits on the northwest corner of Chestnut Street and 2nd Avenue in Spokane’s old Browne’s Edition. This intricate 12,000 square foot, three story building is on the National Historic Register.


Built in 1897, this was the home of mining millionaire Patrick Clark and his wife Mary. It was destroyed by fire in 1889 and was rebuilt at a cost of over twelve million dollars including the cost of furnishings. Since then the mansion has seen several cycles of use and renovation as it transitioned from home to restaurant to reception/event center, and to its current use by a legal firm.


Today, the mansion’s interior and exterior are exquisite. Its windows are renovated with stained glass.


Its woodwork displays intricate carving and detail, and its stonework is magnificent. Its mechanical systems have been modernized.




Large rooms on the main floor open to even more spacious and brightly lit rooms. Down in the lowest level a darker, cooler, silent room. Finally, the outside once again.




Old buildings like this have their charm - and they also have their whispered history.

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