From The Archives

Chinaberry Hill -- Magnificent 1889 Queen Anne Victorian

History:
Included on the National Register of Historic Places and featured in publications such as Sunset Magazine and Coastal Living, Chinaberry Hill is a magnificent 1889 Queen Anne Victorian with sweeping views of Commencement Bay and the City of Tacoma. Located in the heart of the Historic Stadium District, this estate was built for the founder of Pacific National Bank, Lucius R. Manning. Renowned Washington state architect and icon of early Tacoma society, John G. Proctor, was given the charge to design the Eastlake style mansion for Manning. Proctor used the most opulent architectural finishes available at the time, including lighting fixtures featuring Steuben glass, fireplace surrounds faced with Grueby tile and Healy Millet leaded jeweled glass windows. Landscape designer E. O. Schwagerl, best known for his design of nearby Wright and Point Defiance Parks, created the grounds featuring a then controversial use of a mix of native and tropical plants and flowers.

Property:
Winding stone steps lead past lush mature plantings to the mansion's entrance. A wrap around porch stretches the length of the northern and eastern facades, offering commanding water views. The impressive formal entry features ornate original oak woodwork, a grand staircase and massive pocket doors leading to the formal living and sitting rooms. The formal living room has a fireplace and bay windows with water views. The formal dining room features a ceiling height leaded glass oak hutch and opens directly to the sitting room, which has another bay window and fireplace. Through the sitting room is a large eat-in kitchen with access to the rear yard. On the second floor are three bedrooms, all en suite and one with its own original fireplace. On the third floor are two additional bedrooms, a full bath, a large sitting area and a second kitchen. The carriage house is currently configured as two separate guest suites but could easily become a single guest house or be reconverted into a garage with a guest suite above. The tranquil grounds feature spacious side yards with old growth trees and shrubbery.