Historic Home of Borst Family - Now a museum
In 1854 Joseph Borst married sixteen-year-old Mary Adeline Roundtree. Her family had come west from Illinois in 1852 to settle in Oregon Country. Joseph and Mary started their life together in a small cabin on Joseph’s farm. When a war broke out in 1855, with some local Indians, the Borsts and many other settlers moved into quarters in the stockade at Fort Hennes, a local fort that has since been destroyed. After the war, the Borsts returned to their land and moved into the blockhouse that had been built during the war. Around 1860 or before (the exact year is not known), Joseph Borst started construction on the house Mary wanted so badly. Some say the house was built for Mary because of the numerous times the family had to move and the harsh conditions under which she had to live. Others say it was because of a promise Joseph had made in order to get her to marry him. Whatever the reason, the house was built and its construction took two years. This is the Borst Home that still stands, over one-hundred and twenty years later. More than a century ago residents of the area took pride in the stately white mansion which stood on the banks of the Chehalis River near Centralia. It was said Ulysses S. Grant had once stopped to visit there. The great white house with green shutters and a balcony, built in the early 1860s, was the pioneer home of Joseph Borst. It was considered to be the finest house between Forts Steilacoom and Vancouver. At the time, Borst said the house and barn were so well built they would last for 80 years. Approximately 150 years later, the house is still standing and shows every indication of remaining there for another 100 years.
Directions
Take exit 82 off of I-5 in Centralia. Head west on Harrison Ave. Turn left on Johnson Road, go past the middle school and swimming pool. Follow the signs to the Borst Home.
