| Historic Name: |
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Common Name: |
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| Style: |
Arts & Crafts - Craftsman |
Neighborhood: |
Crown Hill/Ballard |
| Built By: |
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Year Built: |
1921 |
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| Significance |
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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.
References:
Ballard Historical Society Classic Home Tour guides.
Crowley, Walt. Seattle Neighborhoods: Ballard--Thumbnail History. HistoryLink File # 983, accessed 6/1/16.
King County Tax Assessor Records, 1937-2014.
McAlester, Virginia Savage.
A Field Guide to American Houses (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Alfred A> Knopf Press, 2013.
Oschsner, Jeffrey Karl
Shaping Seattle Architecture: A Historical Guide to the Architects. Seattle, WA: University of
Washington Press, 1994.
Passport to Ballard: The Centennial Story. Seattle, WA: Ballard News Tribune, 1988.
This 1921 craftsman was first owned by David W Borg, a Seattle grocer and WW1 vet, and evidently stayed in the family until at least 1970. He had a store for a long time at 1125 W 85th. The 1930 census shows David, age 37, a “proprietor” in the grocery business, his wife Florence, 33, and daughters Jeannette, 12, and Rosalind, 9. The house was valued at $5000. The same residents are listed in 1940. There were notices in the Seattle Times for family events up to 1970. References—all included this address Side Sewer Card dated 1/26/22, D.W. Borg owner Various Seattle City Directories from 1924 to 1960 have David at this address, and list him as a grocer 1930-41. Seattle Times (ST) 5/28/28 references a robbery at "George Berg's [family member?] grocery store at 8341 12th Ave NW" a year or more earlier. Seattle City Directory 1929 David W Borg sold grocery & meats at 1125 W 85th, and lived at 8341. 1930 Federal Census 1940 Federal Census ST 11/23/41 p15 notes 50th anniversary celebration of David's parents, at 8341. ST 11/19/63 p35 death announcement for Rosalind MacLennon, 94, David's mother. ST 6/10/70 p44 and 6/16/70 p39 death notice for Florence R Johnson , 87, David's aunt. Zillow says house was last sold in 1986 for $82,500, and was listed for rent in late 2015. King County Assessor says current owner is business owner Paul J Plumis.
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| Appearance |
PLAT: GREENWOOD PARK 5TH ADD
PLat Block: 15
Plat Lot: 42-43
Constructed in 1921, this 1 1/2 story single-family house is generally rectangular in plan, sits on a concrete foundation, is clad with variated wood shingles, and has an asphalt clad front-gabled roof with overhanging eaves, exposed rafters, knee braces, and verge boards. The front façade includes a full-façade front porch with concrete capped brick wing walls and pedestals, pairs of wood piers, and decorative brackets. Windows include are wood framed multi-light leaded glass. Beneath the gable peak of the front façade is a pair of square wood framed windows. Secondary facades include a brick exterior chimney and nested gabled bays. This house has been very minimally altered, and still retains all aspects of integrity.
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