Adams in Seattle in King County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Owl Saloon

Ballard Avenue Landmark District

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 29, 2021

1. Owl Saloon Marker

Inscription.
Longtime Ballard bar owner Charley Swanson built this structure in 1904 and opened the Owl Saloon here with his partner Leonard Strygen. Except for the years during Prohibition, when the Owl Cafe occupied the ground floor, this building has continuously housed a tavern. The Owl remained in operation under that name until 1993.

Built 1904

This historic marker was funded by a generous donation from
Kathy and John Casey and a grant from the City of Seattle

Erected by Ballard Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Washington, Ballard Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.

Location. 47° 39.927′ N, 122° 22.914′ W. Marker is in Seattle, Washington, in King County. It is in Adams. It is on Ballard Avenue Northwest south of 20th Avenue NW, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5140 Ballard Avenue NW, Seattle WA 98107, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Washington’s Puget

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Sound Region.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Cascade Range,

in the Inside Passage,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Theisen Block (a few steps from this marker); Chopard Block (a few steps from this marker); Cors and Wegener Building (a few steps from this marker); Ballard Livery & Transfer (within shouting distance of this marker); Ballard Hardware (within shouting distance of this marker); Junction Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Curtiss Building (within shouting distance of this marker); White Front and St. Paul Saloons (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seattle.

Also see . . . Summary for 5140 Ballard Ave. Details about the building and its past by the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. (Submitted on September 10, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 29, 2021

2. Owl Saloon Marker

Ballard Avenue Historic District image. Click for more information.

via NPS, unknown

3. Ballard Avenue Historic District

National Register of Historic Places: Digital Archive on NPGallery website entry
Click for more information.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,678 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 10, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on November 12, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.