Adams in Seattle in King County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Matthes Block
Ballard Avenue Landmark District
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 29, 2021
1. Matthes Block Marker
Originally only two stories tall, this Neoclassical Revival building was financed by Albin and Oscar Matthes, proprietors of the Old Home Saloon. In 1905 the Fraternal Brotherhood of the Elks purchased the building and occupied the upper floor. The third story was added in 1920. Various saloons occupied the northwest corner until Prohibition. The entryway tiles on Ballard Avenue proclaim that during the dry years it was home to the Ballard branch of the Dexter-Horton Bank. Ballard's post office operated out of this location during the 1940s.
This historic marker was funded by a generous donation from
the Olympic Athletic Club and a grant from the City of Seattle
Erected by Ballard Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Washington, Ballard Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.
Location. 47° 39.98′ N, 122° 22.975′ W. Marker is in Seattle, Washington, in King County. It is in Adams. It is at the intersection of Ballard Avenue
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Washington’s Puget 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: Scandinavian-American Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); White Front and St. Paul Saloons (within shouting distance of this marker); Kutzner Block (within shouting distance of this marker); The Curtiss Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Junction Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Fisher Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ballard Hardware (about 300 feet away); G.B. Sanborn Building
via NPS, unknown
2. Ballard Avenue Historic District
National Register of Historic Places Digital Archive on NPGallery website entry
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Also see . . . Summary for 5232 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
3. Matthes Block Marker
Marker is left of the building entranceway.
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 315 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 10, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2. submitted on April 25, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on September 10, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
