The George E. Birge House is a historical residence located in the Edison District of Centralia, Washington and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1986. The Queen Anne-style home was built by George Birge in the mid-1890s. Birge was a noted Lewis County, Washington businessman, particularly in timber. The historic, asymmetrical house, known for its turret and exterior color scheme, has remained a private residence during its lifetime.
History The George E. Birge House was built approximately in the mid-1890s by George Edward Birge, a local businessman and public servant noted for his role in the region's lumber industry. The parcel of land, consisting of three lots, was once part of a 320-acre (130 ha) donation land claim known as either the Holmes Donation Claim or more commonly, the Lewis County Farm. The grounds were originally bought by Birge's wife, Lizzie, in 1893. Following Birge's death, Lizzie sold the home to Byrd Thompson in 1910. The home came under the ownership of the Freeman family who began a rehabilitation of the historic residence, having their efforts published in several news articles and home restoration journals. The home was of use as a free bed and breakfast for missionaries beginning under the Jones family ownership, who purchased the Birge House in 1993. During the 2000s and 2010s, the residence was often part of home tours in Centralia.
George E. Birge
George Edward Birge was born on December 30, 1855 in Horicon, Wisconsin living there through high school, eventually moving to work with his father in Appleton. He moved to Clay Center, Nebraska in 1878 where he began a savings and loan in 1880. He remained as a banker in Clay Center until 1899, moving to the state of Washington when he began opening or investing in several lumber companies and mills. Residing in Centralia and successful in his endeavors, he was elected to lead several lumber agencies that oversaw the cooperation and financial success of the timber industry throughout most of central and western Lewis County. Birge served two terms as Centralia's mayor in 1894 and 1895 and participated in numerous social clubs, including as president of a bicycle club. He continued to invest and manage a variety of banks, businesses, lumber companies and mills, as well as oversight of multiple economic organizations, over the remainder of his life. Birge was married to Lizzie B. Thurber in 1882 and they had two children. Their daughter, Mabel, was married in the home in October 1909. Birge died from a blood cot after a battle with typhoid fever at his historic home on December 26, 1909. It was suspected that he contacted typhoid because the home's water supply and outhouse were too close in proximity. Funeral services were held at the house and the viewing and burial were attended by several hundred people. Almost the entirety of Centralia's businesses shut down for the day, although no city-wide closure was officially organized.
Geography The house is situated in the Miller Addition of the Edison District located within Centralia, Washington. The home is considered a private residence. The Birge House is situated in the middle of a block featuring late 19th and early 20th century-style homes, including American Craftsman and Tudor Revival architecture. Despite an attempt in the 2000s to list the Edison neighborhood and other historic homes on the register, as of 2024, the Birge House and the Hubbard Bungalow are the only structures in the Edison District to be listed on the NRHP.
Architecture and features Unless otherwise noted, the details provided are based on the 1986 National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) nomination form and may not reflect updates or changes to the George E. Birge House in the interim. The George E. Birge House is a 2+1⁄2-story, Queen Anne-style home. The residence has been described as containing the styles seen in Italianate architecture, Eastlake stick-style, and Victorian architecture. The wood framed residence rests on a Tenino sandstone foundation which includes a small basement. The basement may have been used as servants quarters. The footprint is mostly rectangular and the home has attached additions, though considered non-intrusive and do not impede the structural integrity of the main building. At some point under the Birge family's occupancy, the home's northeast corner was expanded for an office and to enlarge a music room. The extension, notable from the front, is considered compatible to the original design of the house and is suspected, due to the existing fixtures in the rooms and noticeable foundation differences, to have been constructed in the 1900s.
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