Apr 14, 1972
National Register of Historic Places - Eliza Ferry Leary House
Statement of Significant: The Leary home is impressive in itself, and was built by persons important in the history of Seattle. The massive stone, stucco, and timber home was begun in 1905. It was designed by the English architect Arthur Bodley, and by the end of construction some four years later, was purported to have cost $250,000. Mr. Leary, the owner, died in 1905, just after the home was begun. Eliza Ferry Leary, his wife, was the daughter of Elisha Ferry, first governor of the State of Washington. John Leary was a lawyer until 1882 and then excelled in many business enterprises. He had come from the eastern part of the United States where he had been in lumbering and mercantile enterprises. Mr. Leary was mayor of Seattle in 1884. He was a promoter of coal mines and railroads, organized a gas company, and owned a business building. The 14 room home planned by him was completed by Mrs. Leary after his death. She was a most gracious hostess in that setting until 1935. General Insurance Company then bought the home, to use as an office. Before it was so developed they gave it to the American Red Cross in World War II to use as office and headquarters. At that time it was opened briefly for tours to the public. In 1948 the Episcopal Church bought it. The Church also owns the similarly styled home to the south. Eliza Ferry was part of the large family of Elisha Ferry, who came to Washington Territory in 1869 on the appointment of Pres. Grant as Surveyor General of W.T. In her own right, she was just as outstanding. She was a charter member of the Rainier Chapter of the D. A. R. in 1895, of the Seattle Red Cross, and of the Sunset Club and the Pioneers of the State of Washington. She was a founder of the Seattle Children's. Home in 1885, and of the Children's Orthopedic Hospital in 1907. She was a vice president of the Seattle Y.W.C.A. and was building chairman when the president YW building was constructed. On a national scale she was a member of the Oregon Trail marking organization. She was hameda vice regent of the Mt. Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union In 1907, a voluntary post she held until her death in 1935. No one has filled the post since, although one vice regent is sought from each state, in order to run Mount Vernon. Mrs. Leary's home is an outstanding monument to a gracious and outstanding local citizen.
National Register of Historic Places - Eliza Ferry Leary House
Statement of Significant: The Leary home is impressive in itself, and was built by persons important in the history of Seattle. The massive stone, stucco, and timber home was begun in 1905. It was designed by the English architect Arthur Bodley, and by the end of construction some four years later, was purported to have cost $250,000. Mr. Leary, the owner, died in 1905, just after the home was begun. Eliza Ferry Leary, his wife, was the daughter of Elisha Ferry, first governor of the State of Washington. John Leary was a lawyer until 1882 and then excelled in many business enterprises. He had come from the eastern part of the United States where he had been in lumbering and mercantile enterprises. Mr. Leary was mayor of Seattle in 1884. He was a promoter of coal mines and railroads, organized a gas company, and owned a business building. The 14 room home planned by him was completed by Mrs. Leary after his death. She was a most gracious hostess in that setting until 1935. General Insurance Company then bought the home, to use as an office. Before it was so developed they gave it to the American Red Cross in World War II to use as office and headquarters. At that time it was opened briefly for tours to the public. In 1948 the Episcopal Church bought it. The Church also owns the similarly styled home to the south. Eliza Ferry was part of the large family of Elisha Ferry, who came to Washington Territory in 1869 on the appointment of Pres. Grant as Surveyor General of W.T. In her own right, she was just as outstanding. She was a charter member of the Rainier Chapter of the D. A. R. in 1895, of the Seattle Red Cross, and of the Sunset Club and the Pioneers of the State of Washington. She was a founder of the Seattle Children's. Home in 1885, and of the Children's Orthopedic Hospital in 1907. She was a vice president of the Seattle Y.W.C.A. and was building chairman when the president YW building was constructed. On a national scale she was a member of the Oregon Trail marking organization. She was hameda vice regent of the Mt. Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union In 1907, a voluntary post she held until her death in 1935. No one has filled the post since, although one vice regent is sought from each state, in order to run Mount Vernon. Mrs. Leary's home is an outstanding monument to a gracious and outstanding local citizen.
Apr 14, 1972
Posted Date
Jul 18, 2023
Historical Record Date
Apr 14, 1972
Source Name
National Register of Historic Places
