Residential Ballard is generally described as extending from the 8th Avenue NW to the east and the bluff to the west, and from NW 85th Street on the north to NW 65th Street to the south. The area primarily contains single family houses, but also includes a collection of mutli-family dwellings, commercial buildings, schools, churches, and other buildings. Most of the historic buildings in Ballard are modest cottages and builder's houses, and were not architect-designed. Building styles include, but are not limited to, Victorian (primarily Queen Anne), vernacular, Craftsman, American Foursquare, Colonial Revival (including variations), Tudor Revival, Minimal Traditional, and Ranch. The historic building fabric of Ballard is threatened by a rapid pace of development.
The City of Ballard was incorporated in 1890. It was the first community to incorporate after Washington achieved statehood in 1889. Although population increased rapidly, north Ballard was still relatively rural. In 1907, primarily due to lack of adequate water for its population of 15,000, Ballard citizens voted to be annexed to Seattle to ensure a good water supply for the area.
After annexation Ballard’s street names were changed to conform to Seattle’s: Ship Street turned into 65th Street, Main Street became 15th Avenue. During the Great Depression and World War II, construction in Ballard nearly ground to a halt, with the exception of some houses built by Earl F. Mench. However, following World War II, fueled by the G.I. bill and the rise of the automobile, Ballard boomed again, and new housing followed. In recent years, the demand for new housing has spurred a tremendous amount of change in Ballard, with old, modest houses being replaced by large box houses and multi-family units. These changes threaten to alter the character and feeling of this historic neighborhood.
Ferdinand A. Christensen was a General Practice Physician with an office at 5300 Ballard Ave.
Born in Missouri to a father born in Norway, and a mother born in Wisconsin. Dr. Christensen owned the home, free of a mortgage. According to the 1920 US Census, the family consisted of Ferdinand A. Christensen, 52, his wife Ida B., 45, children Valberg A., 17, and Ferdinand (Jr.?), 14. Ferdinand A. Christensen's obituary in the Seattle Times is dated July 3, 1926.
The Department of Building and Planning's Side Sewer Card states: Permit & Plat# A-7213 issued 5/27/1921 Inspected 6/3/1921 Owner: Dr. Christenson (sic) Contractor: G. A. Nilson
Margt. C. Riddle is listed as a renter/roomer in the 1923 City Directory.
The Vital Statistics page of the Seattle Times, March of 1942, announces "Notice of Intent to Wed: Dean A. Riddle, 22, 3224 W 61st ST and Katherine Balser, 22, 5330 Creston ST".
The Polk Directories for 1938, 1940, and 1943-1944 list Mrs. Ida B. Christensen as the owner/occupant.
January 7, 1951 Enard L. Rosen, 3224 W 61st ST, Air Force Reservist is called to active duty.
1951 & 1953 Polk Directories: Enard Rosen. The '53 entry lists Enard as the owner/occupant.
1959 & 1965 Polk Directories: Owner/occupants Enard Rosen (Mildred I) Wireman Bowie Elec
Mildred I Rosen sold the home January 9, 1990 to Todd C Sanchez and Kathy M. Pendras,
October 6, 2003 Todd Sanchez and Kathy Pendras sold to Pamela and Thomas Kilborn-Miller.
Note: The history of 3224 W 61st ST, including it's use as a private sanitarium for TB patients, was written up when the home was featured in the Ballard Historical Society's Home Tour.
