PORT TOWNSEND — Historical Manresa Castle has a new “king.”
But the only subjects that might be bowing before William L. Massey of Oak Harbor are some ghosts.
Massey bought the landmark hotel and restaurant — which is rumored to be haunted — at auction Tuesday for $2.255 million.
The offer was too steep for 21 other bidders to top during the afternoon auction at the castle at Seventh and Sheridan streets.
Ghosts were a prime interest among the bidders, said Tommy Bone, vice president of Alabama-based National Auction Group.
“Everybody asks about ghosts,” Bone said.
“But I’ve yet to see any, and I’ve stayed here for two nights now.”
The winning bidder said he doesn’t have any plans at the moment to make changes to the property.
Massey, owner of Island Construction Inc. on Whidbey Island, said the purchase is an investment.
All things considered, the winning price is a steal in real estate.
The Jefferson County Assessor’s Office has the building and land appraised for $1.9 million. That figure doesn’t take into account the view of Port Townsend Bay and the Olympic Mountains — or what’s inside.
“They’re not even taking the dish towels out. They’re leaving it all,” chief auctioneer Eddie Haynes told the crowd.
“You’re buying history — it’s more than sticks and stones.”
Inside the hotel’s 45,000 square feet are European antiques, more than 100 historical framed pictures and an ornately carved oak staircase.
Outside, gardens feature 75 colorful rose bushes and an assortment of other botanical displays.
Even the auction company staff expressed awe at the structure.
“I thought, ‘OK, we’re going to come up here and sell a motel,”‘ Haynes said.
“But I got here and it’s so much more than that.”
Interest in the Manresa skyrocketed in the past couple weeks after a slow start, Bone said. More than 30 people looked at the property.
“This is as good as it gets in auctions,” he added.
