Ellen White Purchases The Property

Ellen White and Elder Burden sat down to work out a settlement that was finally consummated on Tuesday, October 16, when she and her family moved in. Burden transferred to her the entire property—73.71 acres (30 hectares) of land—and half interest in the spring. Then, as agreed, the sanitarium bought back 8.7 acres (3.5 hectares) for a sewage-disposal area at the far west corner of the property, and 5.5 acres (2.2 hectares) for a food factory across Blackmon Canyon Creek to the east and south. For these two pieces of land and for the half interest in the spring, $3,000 was subtracted from the $8,000. Ellen White paid Burden $1,000 in cash and assumed a $4,000 mortgage with interest at 6 ¼ percent. “It is like stepping out of our home in Cooranbong,” she wrote to her old friends the Farnsworths, “into one already prepared for us, without any time or care on our part” (Letter 146, 1900).WV 374.1

On the day of the purchase they moved in, rather jubilantly, and she reported to Elder Irwin, “We are now located in our pleasant and much-appreciated home” (Letter 127, 1900). She outlined the living arrangements. They were crowded, and would be until other buildings could be erected, particularly a home for William White and his family, who were temporarily staying at a nearby cottage. Beds were placed even in the living room.WV 374.2

One piece of furniture, in addition to what they found in the home, was squeezed in. It was Ellen White's comfortable writing chair, equipped with a writing board that she could swing to one side for freedom of movement. This was the only piece of furniture she had brought with her from Australia.WV 374.3

The general location of the home was ideal. It was two and one-half miles (four kilometers) northwest of St. Helena, and about 15 to 20 minutes’ walk from the sanitarium, depending upon whether one was going or coming. In addition to its beautiful location, with hills to the south and mountains to the north and east, Ellen White particularly appreciated the fact that the home was not far from the sanitarium. Here she would often have an opportunity to address a changing audience of non-Adventists, which she enjoyed doing.WV 374.4

Mrs. White had traveled widely throughout her life. She had crossed the Rocky Mountains many times. She had lived in Colorado and in Switzerland. She had crossed the Alps into Italy, and traveled extensively in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. But she exclaimed in 1905, perhaps with some bias, “Certainly no place I have ever seen equals the beauty of the scenery around here” (Letter 111, 1905). At another time she wrote, “This world is not our abiding place, but I feel very grateful for the comforts of a good home. I consider the country here to be one of the most beautiful I have ever seen” (Letter 117, 1905).WV 374.5

Almost 100 years have passed since Ellen White's happy evaluation of Robert Pratt's choice of an ideal place to build a home. The elms for which it was named have been replaced, but the haven they provided has been a blessing and an inspiration to thousands of visitors. (About 10,000 people annually visit Elmshaven on Glass Mountain Lane.) Robert Pratt built well, and the stately house represents the finest tradition of Victorian houses. Today, as a recognized historical site, it witnesses to the special work of Ellen G. White.WV 374.6