Rosario (estate)

Rosario
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	South of East Sound on Orcas Island, Washington
Coordinates	48°38′43″N 122°52′20″W / 48.64537°N 122.87230°W / 48.64537; -122.87230
Area	30 acres (12 ha)
Built	1906-1909
Architect	Moran, Robert
Architectural style	Arts and Craft, Nautical
NRHP reference No.	78002772
Added to NRHP	November 2, 1978

Rosario is the former estate of Seattle mayor and shipbuilder Robert Moran.^[1]

Due to poor health, Moran moved to Orcas Island and between 1906 and 1909 built his estate.^[1] Wood and stone material found on the island were used to construct the estate's houses and buildings. In 1921, Moran gave a large portion of his property to the state of Washington for the creation of Moran State Park.^[2] Moran sold the resort in 1938 and the mansion and its grounds have been sold several times since, but remained in private hands. It began operating as the Rosario Resort and Spa in 1960.^[3] The Rosario Resort was listed for sale in 2023 and the following year, the resort was temporarily closed after the sale was completed with plans to renovate the building, with particular attention to the Moran Mansion. During the closure, the marina and grounds were to remain open for use.^[4]

Rosario was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.^[2][5]

Constructed in an Arts & Crafts style, the 5-story resort was named after the Rosario Strait and contains a music room that features a 1913 two-story 34-rank German-style Aeolian organ consisting of over 1,900 pipes and a 1900 Steinway grand piano.^[1][2][5] The hotel was also designed in a nautical style, containing stained glass windows, a Tiffany chandelier, and two libraries. The 82-acre (33 ha) grounds were designed with paths and water features.^[4] The Rosario mansion features a museum honoring Robert Moran, complete with original furnishings.^[2][5]