1733 39th Ave
Seattle, WA, USA

National Register of Historic Places - Richard A. Ballinger House

Statement of Significant:

The Richard A. Ballinger House is significant to the city of Seattle as a well-preserved example of turn-of-the-century Colonial Revival architecture and the property most commonly associated with Richard A. Ballinger, eminent attorney, Seattle mayor and Secretary of the Interior under William Howard Taft 1909-1910. The house has the further distinction of having been visited by President Taft, who informally greeted Ballinger's neighbors from the veranda during his stay in the city in 1909. The house was built 1902-1903 for Frederick Crane Harper, a former state senator and founder of Harper Brick and Tile Company and Harper Barge and Lighterage Company. In 1906 Harper departed for Port Townsend to take the position of Collector of Customs, and the house was acquired by Ballinger. During the 15 years he occupied the house, Ballinger practiced law, participated in civic affairs and held two appointive offices at the national level. The Ballinger House is currently well maintained as a private residence, and it defines an important intersection within the Madrona residential district over- looking Lake Washington.

Frederick Crane Harper (1855-1936), a native of New Brunswick, Canada, emigrated to Port Townsend, Washington Territory, in 1887. He pursued a career in real estate during the town's boom period, became a naturalized citizen of the United States, and in 1892 moved to eastern Puget Sound, where he operated a mercantile business and was elected to the state senate for a four-year term. In 1900 he built a brick yard at Terra Vaughn on the Kitsap Peninsula across the Sound from Seattle harbor. In 1902 the Kitsap County community was renamed in honor of Harper, who had been instrumental in securing a post office for that location. During the same year Harper prepared to build a home in Seattle's fashionable Madrona district. The building permit was issued in 1902. It is not known who designed and constructed the house, but it is assumed that the source of bricks for its substantial chimneys and the base wall was the Harper Brick and Tile Company, of which Harper was first president and manager. A business connection between Harper and Richard A. Ballinger dates from 1906-1907, at least, at which time Ballinger was vice-president of the brick manufacturing company. The two may have become acquainted initially in Port Townsend and through Republican circles, but in any event, when the time came for Harper to vacate his house on 39th Avenue, it was Ballinger who acquired the property. Harper was active in companies which operated the Hotel Stevens and opened the Seattle Hotel. He also was an organizer of Harper Barge and Lighterage Company and continued his interest in that company until his retirement. Harper occupied his up-to-date Seattle home only three years, for in 1906 he was appointed Collector of Customs and returned to Port Townsend to dis- charge his duties during two consecutive terms, continuing in office there until his successor was appointed in 1915. In 1916 Harper served as chairman of the Republican state committee. He retired from business activities in 1918.