Lyman in Skagit County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Minkler Mansion
1891
Photographed by Craig Baker, December 17, 2025
1. Minkler Mansion Marker
The photo at right shows the layout of the young village after the arrival of the railroad. Taken around 1910, the photo shows a view looking south to the river from the railroad tracks. The Lyman Hotel and Saloon is to at the far left, with the Minkler store and post office to the right of it, and the Knights of Pythias Hall, built in 1889, is at the right. At the far back center, behind the trees, was the Henry Cooper house, the first built in Lyman in about 1883. After the Seattle & Northern Railroad came through town in 1890-91 on a route about where the photographer stood, the Cooper home and some businesses in town were moved away from the steadily advancing river and some were turned to face north and the depot.
Birdseye Minkler settled in Skagit County in 1877, establishing one of the area's first lumber mills. He built a large family home in Lyman, and then a few years later built this home catter-corner across the street in 1891.
When he died in 1911, his children wanted to turn the mansion into something that would benefit mankind, like a hospital. However, that never materialized,
this page online
In 2009, at the 100th anniversary of the town of Lyman, the Minkler Mansion became the town hall.
At right is a birthday party at the Minkler Mansion somewhere around 1905 before the pillars were added to the front of the house.
(information and pictures from skagitriverjournal.com)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.
Location. 48° 31.492′ N, 122° 3.58′ W. Marker is in Lyman, Washington, in Skagit County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and 2nd Street, on the left when traveling south on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8405 S Main St, Lyman WA 98263, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Puget Sound Region. It is also on the American Pacific Coast, in the Pacific Northwest, and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, in the Cascade Range, in the Inside Passage, on the Ring of Fire, on the Pacific Rim,
Photographed by Craig Baker, December 17, 2025
2. National Register of Historic Places
Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lyman (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Phillip A. Woolley (approx. 7.2 miles away); Site of Galbraith Homestead (approx. 14.1 miles away).
Photographed by Craig Baker, December 17, 2025
3. Minkler Mansion and Markers
Credits. This page was last revised on December 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 114 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 17, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
