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

Hansen Building

Ballard Avenue Landmark District

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 29, 2021

1. Hansen Building Marker

Inscription.
Built by Swan Hansen, the president of the Horse Shoe Mining Company, this elegant brick structure was home to the Henry Brothers Saloon (Charles and Lewis). By 1908 the Pederson and Olsen Bar took up residence on the ground floor and stayed until Prohibition. During the dry years, Walter Forrester operated the Ballard Hand Laundry, which was reputedly a speakeasy. The laundry remained in business until the 1950s. In 1971 the owners began restoring the building, which sparked the preservation movement on Ballard Avenue.

Built ca. 1905

This historic marker was funded by a generous donation from
Roger and Laurie Lohrer 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 1905.

Location. 47° 39.867′ N, 122° 22.864′ W. Marker is in Seattle, Washington, in King County. It is in Adams. Marker is at the intersection of NW Dock Place and Ballard Avenue NW on NW Dock Place. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5101 Ballard Avenue NW, Seattle WA 98107, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Palmer Building (a few steps from this marker); Ballard Livery & Transfer (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Chopard Block (about 400 feet away); Theisen Block (about 400 feet away); Owl Saloon (about 400 feet away); Cors and Wegener Building (about 500 feet away); Ballard Hardware (about 500 feet away); Junction Building (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seattle.

Regarding Hansen Building. According to Marques Vickers' 2017 book, The Architecture of Seattle's Historic Prostitution Trade: Seattle Vice and the Sweet Painted Lady Commerce, "… Eight rooms sharing a single bathroom on the second floor accommodated a known brothel enterprise.…"

Also see . . . Summary for 5101 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.)

Ballard Avenue Historic District image. Click for more information.

via NPS, unknown

2. Ballard Avenue Historic District

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

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 29, 2021

3. Hansen Building Marker

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 158 times since then and 38 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.