815 W 7th Ave
Spokane, WA 99204
Austin Corbin Mansion · Office Property For Sale

The Austin Corbin II Mansion is located in the Cliff neighborhood on the lower South Hill situated on a parcel of land originally included in the Pacific Northwest Territory claimed by Spain, Russia, Great Britain and the United States by virtue of exploration. Following the War of 1812, by the Treaty of Ghent and the Convention of 1814, joint ownership was granted to Great Britain and the United States. Joint ownership continued until 1816 when boundary disputes were settled by the Treaty of Washington, giving the United States sole possession. Territorial status was granted to Oregon Country in 1818. In 1853 Washington was organized as a separate territory and was admitted into the Union on November 11, 1889. This parcel was included with alternate sections of land conveyed to the Northern Pacific Railroad by an Act of Congress passed July 2, 1864 granting lands for the construction of telegraph lines and railroads. Designed in 1898 by famed architect Kirtland K. Cutter, this 3-story colonial revival style mansion was built by H.J. Skinner for $65,000. Originally, the home site was 7 acres and the 12,170 SF residence contained 17 rooms. Its most prominent central feature is a monumental front entry portico in the Greek Classical Ionic Order. Austin & Katherine's home was famous for lavish parties during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Much history was made between the Corbin and Cutter families during this era. Austin Corbin II was born September 24, 1863 in Denver, Colorado. He, along with his father, traveled in a covered wagon to Helena, Montana, and in 1880, Austin arrived in Spokane with his father Daniel Chase Corbin one of the great railway empire builders of the Pioneer Era. On May 2, 1894, Austin Corbin II married Katherine J. Benham who later came to Spokane with her parents Capt. & Mrs. Luscious G. Benham in 1889. In 1929, Marycliff Catholic Girls School opened on the Gordon Family Estate to the East of the Austin Corbin Mansion thanks to Raphaelita Gordon. Gordon donated her land and home to Spokane Catholic Bishop Charles White for the creation of a Catholic high school for girls. On January 3, 1945, Austin Corbin died at the age of 81. Later that year, on August 24, the Corbin Home was donated by Mrs. Corbin to the Franciscan Nuns, thus becoming part of Marycliff High School. The Corbin Mansion served as a convent for Franciscan Sisters with the home's big drawing room used as a chapel until the school's closure in 1979. On June 29, 1984, the Catholic Bishop of Spokane conveyed the entire Marycliff site to Marycliff Associates for development into its present use. Today the Austin Corbin II Residence sits on approximately 1 acre of land established in the Marycliff Historic District. The mansion is registered with the U.S. Department of Interior and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Austin Corbin II Mansion is located in the Cliff neighborhood on the lower South Hill situated on a parcel of land originally included in the Pacific Northwest Territory claimed by Spain, Russia, Great Britain and the United States by virtue of exploration. Following the War of 1812, by the Treaty of Ghent and the Convention of 1814, joint ownership was granted to Great Britain and the United States. Joint ownership continued until 1816 when boundary disputes were settled by the Treaty of Washington, giving the United States sole possession. Territorial status was granted to Oregon Country in 1818. In 1853 Washington was organized as a separate territory and was admitted into the Union on November 11, 1889. This parcel was included with alternate sections of land conveyed to the Northern Pacific Railroad by an Act of Congress passed July 2, 1864 granting lands for the construction of telegraph lines and railroads. Designed in 1898 by famed architect Kirtland K. Cutter, this 3-story colonial revival style mansion was built by H.J. Skinner for $65,000. Originally, the home site was 7 acres and the 12,170 SF residence contained 17 rooms. Its most prominent central feature is a monumental front entry portico in the Greek Classical Ionic Order. Austin & Katherine's home was famous for lavish parties during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Much history was made between the Corbin and Cutter families during this era. Austin Corbin II was born September 24, 1863 in Denver, Colorado. He, along with his father, traveled in a covered wagon to Helena, Montana, and in 1880, Austin arrived in Spokane with his father Daniel Chase Corbin one of the great railway empire builders of the Pioneer Era. On May 2, 1894, Austin Corbin II married Katherine J. Benham who later came to Spokane with her parents Capt. & Mrs. Luscious G. Benham in 1889. In 1929, Marycliff Catholic Girls School opened on the Gordon Family Estate to the East of the Austin Corbin Mansion thanks to Raphaelita Gordon. Gordon donated her land and home to Spokane Catholic Bishop Charles White for the creation of a Catholic high school for girls. On January 3, 1945, Austin Corbin died at the age of 81. Later that year, on August 24, the Corbin Home was donated by Mrs. Corbin to the Franciscan Nuns, thus becoming part of Marycliff High School. The Corbin Mansion served as a convent for Franciscan Sisters with the home's big drawing room used as a chapel until the school's closure in 1979. On June 29, 1984, the Catholic Bishop of Spokane conveyed the entire Marycliff site to Marycliff Associates for development into its present use. Today the Austin Corbin II Residence sits on approximately 1 acre of land established in the Marycliff Historic District. The mansion is registered with the U.S. Department of Interior and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. -Paraphrased from the Historic Corbin Mansion Website