2706 Harvard Ave E
Seattle, WA, USA

National Register of Historic Places - William Parsons House (Harvard Mansion)

Statement of Significant:

Built in 1903 in the dramatic Neoclassical style, the Harvard Mansion is historically significant for its association with William Parsons, a leading financier in the Pacific Northwest, who lived in the house from 1909 until 1935 during which time he organized the largest financial institution in the region. Architecturally, the house is distinguished by a colossal Corinthian portico, full width two-story veranda, and well-preserved interior. When completed, the Harvard Mansion was the most visually prominent landmark on the north end of Capitol Hill. Today, nearly 90 years later, it remains an outstanding example of the residential architecture of its period and an important reminder of the influential career of its second owner.

Historical Background:
When constructed in 1903 by Seattle contractor and builder Edward Duhamel, the Harvard Mansion was one of the first and most prominent structures in the Denny-Furhman Addition on the north end of Capitol Hill (platted in the 1890s). The Neoclassical house boasted a dramatic portico, was located on a landscaped double lot, and commanded sweeping views of the surrounding city. Even as late as 1910, historic photographs indicate that the mansion was the largest and most prominently sited of the area's homes.

Duhamel was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1850, and became an apprentice architect in Chicago in 1867. In 1875, he moved to Texas, where he started architectural practices in Galveston and Houston. In 1889, Duhamel moved to Seattle, where he became a contractor and builder, completing commissions for buildings in Seattle, Tacoma, Port Townsend, and even Chicago.

By 1900, Duhamel was partners with John Megrath and F. M. Gribble in the firm of Megrath and Duhamel and in the Washington Brick and Tile Company, which had a capacity of making 60,000 bricks a day. In his role as builder, Duhamel worked with architects C. H. Bebb, A. Warren Gould, Saunders and Lawton, and Max Umbrecht.
Perhaps his most notable commission was the Federal Building and Post Office at Third and Union in downtown Seattle. Completed in 1900 after six years of work, the building was one of the most prominent landmarks in the young city. Although the building was demolished in 1950, other Duhamel buildings still stand including the Rainier Club and Smith Building, Squire Building, and Hambach Building in Pioneer Square.

In 1909, about a year before his death, Duhamel sold the house to William Hinckley Parsons. Parsons was born in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, in 1865, and began his business career in his hometown as co- proprietor of Parsons Brothers, a mercantile and department store. In 1895, Parsons moved west to Seattle, and in 1898, during the Alaska Gold Rush, went north to serve as general manager of the Ames Mercantile Company in Dawson City, Yukon Territory. From Dawson, Parsons successfully established a group of stores in Alaska. In 1903, he sold his interest and returned to Seattle.
But Parsons was soon back in Alaska. In March, 1905, he was selected by the Washington Trust Company of Seattle to open the first bank in the interior of the territory. Parsons reputedly mushed across 500 miles of ice and snow by dog sled in 15 days, arriving in Fairbanks with $100,000 in currency strapped to his waist. With this capital, he established the Washington-Alaska Bank of Fairbanks. It was the first financial institution in the area. But Parsons was able to gain the trust of miners and set up a successful credit system in the region. Within four months, Parsons' bank had deposits of two million dollars, and had shipped six million dollars in gold. After four years, having shipped over $30 million in gold to Seattle, Parsons returned to the city to assume the vice-presidency of the Washington Trust Company.

Upon his return in 1909, Parsons purchased the Harvard Mansion, next door to the house (now) demolished) of his brother-in-law Edgar Webster (co-owner of the Washington-Alaska Bank and host of the summer "Golden Potlatch Festivals" held each year from 1911-1915 to celebrate Seattle's commercial dominance of Alaskan trade).

The next year, the Washington Trust Company was absorbed by the Dexter Horton National Bank. Parsons was appointed first vice-president and director of the newly merged banks, and also became director of the Dexter Horton Trust and Savings Bank (which was later consolidated with the Horton National Bank). After 13 years as a senior officer and director of the bank--the largest in the Pacific Northwest at the time--Parsons assumed the presidency in 1922.

The 1920s were an era of great expansion in the banking industry, and under Parsons' leadership the Dexter Horton bank grew to become the leading institution in the region. In an interview with Forbes magazine, conducted in 1928 from his Harvard Avenue home, Parsons (described by the magazine as the "Northwest's great banker") explained his theory of bank expansion. "The Pacific Northwest has moved forward with gigantic strides in the past few years," he noted, "until it was beyond the scope of any one bank in this region to adequately finance growing industry or new industries.... Merger was the natural solution." In addition, Parsons stated, Seattle "must be prepared with vision and resources adequate to develop" potential Asian markets.

Parsons' commitment to this vision of large-scale finance was realized in the 1920s when Dexter Horton bank subsumed two more banks into its growing empire. In 1929, the Dexter Horton Bank--largely as a result of Parsons' efforts--absorbed the First National Bank of Seattle and the Seattle National Bank. The consolidated banks were renamed Seattle-First National Bank, and Parsons assumed the role of chairman of the board.

The merger led to the creation of the largest and most powerful bank in the Northwest, and one of the largest on the West Coast. According to the bank's corporate history, the mergers of the period reflected Parsons' philosophy that "there is strength in size; risks can be taken by a large bank that cannot be contemplated by a small bank. The fusion of the three major bank groups in 1929 flooded the bank's internal organization with competitive, aggressive managerial talent that could express itself only in growth." Parsons presided at the helm of this organization until 1934, when he retired. Even so, he remained an active director until 1948.

In 1932, with American business reeling from the Great Depression, President Herbert Hoover appointed Parsons chairman of the first Western Washington advisory committee for the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. The funds from this federal relief agency (the first created during the Depression) were used to make loans to businesses, finance public works, and provide assistance to keep banks from failing. Parsons took an active role in chairing the organization, and served until his death in 1948. In addition, Parsons was appointed President of the Seattle Clearing House Associates, which was set up to be sole judge of the value and acceptability of collateral toward the issuance of loans.

In 1935, Parsons moved to Washington Park, although he continued to own the Harvard Mansion until 1941. Parsons died in 1948.

Architectural Character:
The Harvard Mansion is a dramatic example of the Neoclassical style in the residential architecture of the early 20th century. The house is characterized by a colossal Corinthian portico, full width two-story veranda, ornate classical entablature and decorative moldings, and a well-preserved interior. The style of the house is complemented by its prominent setting, which affords sweeping views of the city. The application of aluminum siding in 1958 constitutes the major loss of historic integrity, although all other significant exterior and interior features remain intact. Although the house retains its dramatic character and most of its significant features, the aluminum siding diminishes the significance of the original design and therefore architecture is not identified as an area of significance for the purposes of the nomination. The Harvard Mansion was designated a City of Seattle landmark in 1990.