Coast river business journal., January 13, 2021, Page 4, Image 4

4 • January 2021
BUSINESS NEWS
Coast River Business Journal
Family renovates historic Seaview Manor
Story & Photos by Luke Whittaker
Coast River Business Journal
lwhittaker@crbizjournal.com
SEAVIEW — Theodore Roosevelt was in the
middle of his second term as president and the first
Ford Model-T was nearing production in Detroit.
Meanwhile, a successful Portland businessman had
just built a summer home on the coast in Seaview.
The year was 1906.
Seaview Manor
2415 Willows Road, Seaview
Dustin and Erica Vossler, owners
theseaviewmanor.com
360-607-7700
Today, the sprawling nearly 8,000-square-foot
three-story, six-bedroom mansion is cared for by the
fourth owners, Erica and Dustin Vossler, who pur-
chased the home last May intent on restoring and
renting the historic site. Tucked behind a stand of
trees along Willows Road, the home is now named
Seaview Manor.
“People need a place like this. This is a house
that has to be shared,” Erica Vossler said while giv-
ing a tour in late December.
The Vosslers, who live in Hockinson with two
teenage daughters, previously restored a 1934 farm-
house in Woodland.
“We’ve done old houses and we know how
much work it is,” said Erica Vossler, 39. “I knew in
my heart if we walked in we would buy it.”
The Vosslers purchased the home from the
Glenn family, who shared a similar desire for main-
taining historic homes.
“They knew our passion for renovating and
keeping old houses period appropriate. We didn’t
want to see this house go anywhere. It’s a monu-
ment to the community, but it’s always been kind
of hidden,” Erica Vossler said. The Vosslers felt a
special obligation after observing the interior of the
mansion for the first time.
“When we walked in… it felt like a responsibil-
ity. We had to do it... there really wasn’t a choice.
It’s important that we keep historical homes here,”
Erica Vossler said.
Seaview home has historic ties to former
Portland businessman
The mansion — with its secluded oceanfront
setting and easy access to Cape Disappointment
— was seen as an ideal gathering place for special
events, small groups, family reunions, weekend get-
aways or weddings, Erica Vossler said. It’s likely
that the original builder and owner, Theodore B.
Wilcox, used it as a summer home or retreat.
“I imagine a lot of entertaining happened here
because of how it was designed. The first owner
had servant quarters and a stairwell. They built it
The Vossler family poses for a picture with their dogs in front of the Seaview Manor, located at 2415 Willows Road in Seaview. The family pur-
chased the home in May 2020 and have since sought to remodel and rent out the home while retaining its historical charm. “People need a
place like this. This is a house that has to be shared,” Erica Vossler said.
A view of the second-story porch at the Seaview Manor, located at 2415 Willows Road in
Seaview.
Dustin Vossler walks up the stairwell while
giving a tour of the Seaview Manor.