Significance |
In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance. |
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The Keel House was constructed about 1906. In late 1905, land developer C. D. Hillman sold two lots from his one year old development, Squire's Lakeside subdivision, to Emma Julia Keel (b. ca 1863). Emma Keel was born in Illinois to German parents. Soon after she purchased the property Emma Keel married Richard Jones (b. ca 1863). In 1880, Welsh born Richard Jones immigrated to the United States with his first wife. In the mid 1880s they lived in South America and in the early 1890s lived in Missouri. By 1906, Jones, with his two sons, moved to Seattle and he married his second wife Emma Keel. In early fall 1906 Emma Jones mortgaged the property and had the house built which was likely completed by the end of the year. During their five year residence in the house, Jones worked as a mining engineer. For awhile, Emma's sister, Agnes and her husband, stayed with the Jones's. The family moved from Seattle in 1911.
From the late 1930s through the early 1940s, Edward and Dolly Becker occupied the house. Edward worked as a buyer for the Seattle Lighting Fixture Company in Pioneer Square. By the late 1940s, Harry and Jane Larsen moved in. Harry worked for the Red Devil Electric and Refrigeration company.
The Keel House appears to meet City of Seattle Landmark criteria due to the age of the structure (100 years old) and minimal alterations.
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