History
Clise Mansion is home to a rich and storied past. We are proud to share its history and invite you to become part of its continuing legacy.
The Vision Begins (1904–1907)
In 1904, James Clise,a 49-year-old Seattle banker and president of Washington State’s first trust company,purchased 78 acres along the Sammamish Slough, then known as Squak Slough. At the time, the property contained a rustic cabin, which Clise initially began converting into a hunting lodge. Between 1905 and 1907, James Clise acquired additional land and transformed the site into what would become the 28-room Clise Mansion. Designed by architect Max Umbrecht, the home was inspired by the European Arts and Crafts–style buildings that James and his wife, Anna, admired during their travels overseas.
Willowmoor Farm
The Clises envisioned more than just a residence,they created a showplace estate known as Willowmoor Farm, named for the many willow trees lining the slough’s banks. The mansion featured a grand Great Room, library, veranda, several intimate rooms, and a spacious inlaid brick courtyard.
The surrounding grounds were designed by the renowned Olmsted Brothers landscape architecture firm,designers of New York City’s Central Park,and offered sweeping views of heritage trees, manicured lawns, perennial beds, flowering trellises, and formal gardens. As the Clise family grew to love time spent at Willowmoor, the property soon became their permanent residence.
Clise Mansion
James Clise devoted much of his energy to developing Willowmoor into a model working farm. The estate became known for its Morgan horses and Scottish Ayrshire cattle and expanded to include a horse barn, cow barn, greenhouse, creamery, dog shelter, duck yard, and goose pond.
A narrow-gauge railroad ran through the barnyard to transport grain and feed. One of the farm’s most distinctive and eye-catching features was a windmill, which James Clise built himself after studying windmills the family admired during their time in Holland. Though no longer functional, the windmill remains an iconic symbol of the estate today.
By 1917, James and Anna Clise’s health had begun to decline, and their children had grown and moved away. The family sold Willowmoor Farm to the Allen and Nelson Mill Company. Over the following decades, the property changed hands several times. In 1962, King County purchased the estate, establishing its first county park and ensuring the preservation of Clise Mansion and its grounds for future generations.
Today, Clise Mansion stands as a treasured historic landmark, rich with history and architectural beauty. The estate remains a versatile and elegant venue, offering a timeless setting that can be customized for a wide variety of events, while honoring the legacy of those who built and preserved it.
