Fratt Mansion – Historic Everett

1725 Grand Ave.

National Register of Historic Places

One of the grandest homes in what today is Everett’s Northwest Neighborhood, this architectural gem has been owned by prominent people from the timber industry, politics and aerospace. The house was built for Charles and Idalia Fratt in 1906, at a time when much of this area was still forested. To encourage residential development in the north part of town, the city promised utility service to their new residence. They also promised to build a park west of the home, ensuring the Fratts a permanent view of the waterfront, in particular, the Robinson Mill below where Charles served as the company’s Secreatary-Treasurer. The Robinson Mill was located on the present site of Naval Station Everett.

Construction began in 1904, but in February 1905, the house was destroyed by fire, the Everett Herald reporting that its “interior was ablaze and the flames were breaking out of the windows”. The house was declared a total loss. Despite only partial insurance coverage, the Fratts immediately began rebuilding, completing it in 1906.

The design of the home is eclectic — Northwest Vernacular — with elements of late Shingle Style, which is often considered the first modern residential American style. The home was designed with six bedrooms and three bathrooms and with living quarters for a cook and house servant on the third floor. Robinson Mill was known for its quality vertical grain doors, cabinetry and woodworking, products incorporated elegantly in the home.

Idalia Quimette Fratt was born into a wealthy banking family in Olympia. She was well educated, attending the Sorbonne and graduating from Tacoma’s Annie Wright Seminary, an all woman boarding school. Idalia helped found Everett’s Trinity Episcopal Church. She and Charles had six children and family remembered “Granny Fratt” fondly as a kind, intelligent woman. Charles died in 1928 but Idalia continued to live in the house through the 1930s when she moved to Seattle.

The Wallgren Era

Monrad and Mabel Wallgren purchased the home in 1941. Monrad Charles “Mon” Wallgren served four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and four years in the U.S. Senate before becoming Washington’s 13th governor in 1944. A New Deal Democrat, Wallgren supported public ownership of electric power, established state unemployment compensation, and developed state recreation and tourism, in particular authoring the bill to create Olympic National Park. While in office, Harry S. Truman, then a Senator, visited the Wallgren home.

Those in Everett knew Wallgren as an optometrist and jeweler, a member of local fraternal organizations, an excellent golfer and a champion billiards player.

Cope-Gillette ownership

The mansion changed hands several times after the Wallgrens. Over the years it suffered from poor renovations and remodels, both to its interior and exterior. When the home was placed on the market in 1997, it was considered for demolition. Two retired Boeing executives, Walter Gillette and Saundra Cope, saw beauty in the home, purchased it the following year and spent a considerable amount of time and money, respectfully restoring the home to its original grandeur, updating as needed in keeping with its original design. Extensive landscaping changes were made as well. Cope and Gillette opened the house for public viewing in 2002. The Fratt- Wallgren Mansion was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017.

Gillette and Cope not only made it their home but saw the restoration as a gift to the community. Speaking to a Herald reporter, Saundra Cope stated, “This home needs to resonate with laughter and sad and happy events”. Walter added what many owners of old homes feel,” Don’t think of it as an old house. Think of it as a mature house. Honor and treat it with respect.”

To see old photos of the Fratts, the Wallgrens, the house and Grand Avenue Park, check out the house address on Historic Everett’s Self Guided Walking Tours online at our website historiceverett.org.