Downtown Seattle in King County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Austin A. Bell Building
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 29, 2021
1. Austin A. Bell Building Marker
Elmer Fisher, architect
National Historic Register
Renovation & addition dedicated 1999
Snell Partnership, Architect
Cassimar US, Inc. & Austin A. Bell Associates, LLC
a member of the Murray Franklyn family of companies
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.
Location. 47° 36.842′ N, 122° 20.841′ W. Marker is in Seattle, Washington, in King County. It is in Downtown Seattle. Marker is on 1st Avenue north of Bell Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2326 1st Avenue, Seattle WA 98121, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Belltown Pan (within shouting distance of this marker); Speakeasy Café (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bell Street Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); Seattle-Galway Stone (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fire Bell No. 4 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Why Are the Piers Angled? (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bell Street Terminal, Pier 66 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Guiry/Schillestad Buildings (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seattle.
Regarding Austin A. Bell Building. Excerpt from
this page online
… Austin Americus Bell was the only son of William N. Bell, one of the founders of the city of Seattle. The elder Bell's landclaim became the community of Belltown, later surrounded and annexed by Seattle. Austin, the second male child born in the pioneer village, began his life in a log cabin about opposite the site of the building which bears his name. …
In 1889, he was planning the construction of a new brick building — the one which now bears his name — on some of his property to replace an existing wooden structure. During one spring evening, he took a buggy ride with his nephew and discussed his contemplated investment, the success of which was virtually assured. The following morning, he went to his office and locked the doors behind him. He then drew out a revolver and shot himself in the temple. He left a letter to his wife telling her that he did not consider life with poor health worth living. Mrs. Eva Bell completed the building in her husband's honor, placing upon it his name.
via NPS, unknown
2. Bell Apartments
National Register of Historic Places Digital Archive on NPGallery
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 29, 2021
3. Austin A. Bell Building Marker
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 29, 2021
4. Austin A. Bell Building (original section)
Note Bell's name beneath the terra cotta wheel window design between the central pilasters. Bell's wife put his name on the building, which she completed after her husband committed suicide. An addition on the building's left side was completed in 1999.
Photographed By Dames & Butler / Fair use, circa 1885
5. Austin Americus Bell (1854-1889)
Austin Americus Bell was born in 1854 to Mr. and Mrs. William N. Bell, the second white male to be born in Seattle. He lived in San Francisco for much of his life, but returned to Seattle in 1887 after his father's death. Austin Bell inherited property at 2222 First Avenue (where the Austin A. Bell Building stands). In 1889, Austin Bell took his own life, after recognizing in himself the symptoms of his father's illness, which may have been Alzheimer's. — Seattle Museum of History and Industry
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 9, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 317 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 9, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2. submitted on March 1, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 9, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
