Adams in Seattle in King County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
White Front and St. Paul Saloons
Ballard Avenue Landmark District
Prior to the construction of this classic building, this site housed a much more modest structure that contained the White Front Saloon. Proprietors John Peterson and Hector Chestnut ran their bar here from 1900 to 1905. When the current structure was built sometime around 1905, its first occupant was the St. Paul Saloon, overseen by well-known saloonkeepers James Boyce and Walter Barrow. In 1910 Albin and Oscar Matthes, owners of the Old Home Saloon and the Matthes Block, purchased this building and ran a refreshment parlor during Prohibition. In 1952 the building became home to the second incarnation of Ballard Hardware, owned by Jim Freyberg and Lyle Hartze. It operated here for the next 40 years.
This historic marker was funded by a grant from the City of Seattle
Erected by Ballard Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included in the Washington, Ballard Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.
Location. 47° 39.967′ N, 122° 22.981′ W. Marker is in Seattle, Washington, in King County. It is in Adams. Marker is on Ballard Avenue Northwest south of NW Vernon Place, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5229 Ballard Avenue NW, Seattle WA 98107, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Matthes Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Scandinavian-American Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Junction Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Curtiss Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Ballard Hardware (within shouting distance of this marker); Kutzner Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Cors and Wegener Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fisher Building (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seattle.
Also see . . . Summary for 5229 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.)
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 135 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 10, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2. submitted on March 3, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on September 10, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.