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

Assay Office

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 29, 2021

1. Assay Office Marker

Inscription.
Under the provisions of the National
Historic Preservation Act of
October 15, 1966, this property
possesses exceptional value in
commemorating, or illustrating
American history

Placed on the National Register on
March 16, 1972 by the National Park Service
U. S. Department of the Interior

Erected by Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. (Marker Number 23.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.

Location. 47° 36.354′ N, 122° 19.514′ W. Marker is in Seattle, Washington, in King County. It is in Downtown Seattle. Marker is on 9th Avenue south of Cherry Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 613 9th Avenue, Seattle WA 98104, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Trinity Parish Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The First Presbyterian Church of Seattle, Washington (approx. ¼ mile away); 50th Anniversary of First Presbyterian Church of Seattle (approx. ¼ mile away); First Presbyterian Church of Seattle World War Memorial

Paid Advertisement

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

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. ¼ mile away); First Presbyterian Church of Seattle World War II Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); First Presbyterian Church Cornerstone (approx. ¼ mile away); The Baroness Hotel (approx. ¼ mile away); Women's University Club of Seattle (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seattle.

Regarding Assay Office. Excerpt from the National Register inventory-nomination form, submitted in 1972:

…The Assay Office was built by Thomas Prosch, noted newspaper publisher, civic leader and secretary of the Chamber of Commerce in Seattle, probably in 1886. It contained 11 rooms and a basement. The first floor was rented for offices, the second floor was a ballroom. When gold began pouring into Seattle after the Klondike strike of 1897 miners needed a repository for their gold. Banks could hardly handle the bulk. The Federal government decided to open an assay office here, and rented the building. It opened for business July 15, 1898 and had a melting department and an assay department…The building was purchased by Deutsches Haus in 1935 as a social center and was renovated and remained in use until World
via NPS, unknown

2. Assay Office
National Register of Historic Places Digital Archive on NPGallery
Click for more information.
War II. In 1943 women of society in several organizations leased it as an officers' club. It was refurbished and opened by members of the Sunset Club, Seattle Garden Club, Colonial Dames, Junior League, and English Speaking Union. At the end of World War II it reverted to occupation and use by Deutsches Haus…

Also see . . . German House (Seattle). Wikipedia entry on the property, under another name it is commonly known by. (Submitted on September 11, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 29, 2021

3. Assay Office Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 159 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 11, 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 11, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.