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 duplex was built by New Housing Inc. as part of developments throughout the city after World War II. New Housing Inc. was a corporation that included V.O. Stringfellow with the Master Builders Association. He was often quoted in the newspaper in his role with the Master Builders on topics ranging from the G.I. Bill and “weeding” out inferior building practices. In the 1950’s New Housing Inc. became associated with larger and larger developments including one that needed a zoning variance on the slope of Queen Anne Hill. There was also reference to some refunds needed because of overcharging on rent. The land had been owned by the City of Seattle until development.
Of the residents of these side-by-side residences there was no information. King County property records show that in 2012 the property was acquired by Nick Stefonick following an estate settlement of Lorren S. Daugherty. Daugherty is shown on the U.S. Census as living nearby in 1944 and working for Consolidated Dairy. He may have been landlord acquiring it when New Housing Inc. sold the property.
All information from U.S. Census, City Directory, King County Property Records and Seattle Daily Times.
