Lorin Cray House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lorin Cray House
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 603 S. 2nd Street, Mankato, Minnesota |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1897 |
| Architect | Thayer, Frank |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival, Queen Anne, Romanesque |
| MPS | Blue Earth County MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 80001943 |
| Added to NRHP | July 28, 1980 |
The Lorin Cray House, also called the Cray Mansion, is a really old and important building in Mankato, Minnesota. It started as a family home. Later, a group called the YWCA owned it for over 80 years. They used it from 1927 until 2008. This special house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 28, 1980. This means it's officially recognized as a historic landmark.
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A Look at the Cray Mansion
The Cray Mansion was built in 1897. It cost about $13,000 to build, which was a lot of money back then! A famous architect named Frank Thayer designed it. He built it for Lorin P. Cray, who was an important leader, judge, and helper in the community.
What the House is Made Of
This house is made from several cool materials. It uses light-colored buff brick and red brick. It also has pretty pink granite and Kasota limestone. These materials make the house look very grand and strong.
Special Features of the House
The Cray House is built in the Queen Anne style. This style was popular for fancy homes. It has tall towers and a welcoming porch. You can also see strong columns and a side balcony. The windows are very special. They have stained, etched, and beveled glass. These details were common in homes from that time. The house is huge, about 10,000 square feet!
The Neighborly Rivalry
The Cray House was built right next to another big house, the Renesselaer D. Hubbard House. For many years, the owners of these two houses tried to outdo each other. They would add new things to their homes to make them even fancier. This friendly competition seemed to end when Mr. Cray added a large ballroom on the top floor of his house. Both the Cray House and the Hubbard House are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The YWCA and the Mansion
Lorin Cray was a big supporter of the Mankato YWCA. When he and his wife passed away in 1927, they left their house and everything inside to the YWCA. They also left money to help take care of the building.
How the YWCA Used the House
The YWCA moved into the house on November 12, 1927. At first, it was a shared home for young women. The second floor had rooms for at least eight girls until 1952. Later, the building became the YWCA's main office. It also had a preschool inside.
Why the YWCA Moved Out
The YWCA used the house for many years. But by 2008, the old building needed a lot of expensive repairs. Because of these high costs, the YWCA decided to move to a new location.
The House Finds a New Owner
In 2006, the YWCA put the Cray Mansion up for sale. They asked for $682,400. A group called the Mankato Area Foundation wanted to buy it for the city. However, the deal didn't work out. The YWCA wanted to stay in the building for up to ten more years without paying rent, and the city would pay $50,000 a year for upkeep. This was too expensive for the city.
Concerns for the Mansion's Future
When it looked like a private person would buy the house, people who care about old buildings got worried. The Blue Earth County Historical Society was especially concerned. They feared the new owner might change the historic building too much.
The Sale and Its Outcome
The house was finally sold on February 28, 2008, for $505,000. At that time, its estimated value was $675,000. A private developer bought it. They planned to use the first floor as shared space. The rest of the house would be rented out as shared housing. However, city rules said that a single home could not have more than five unrelated people living together. Today, the building is used as a multi-dwelling structure, meaning several families or groups live there.
Protecting Mankato's History
After the Cray Mansion was sold, the City of Mankato created something new. They formed the Heritage Preservation Commission. This official group can decide which properties are historic. They also have rules about what can and cannot be changed on the outside of these special old buildings. This helps protect Mankato's history for everyone.
