Tacoma's North Slope Historic District

1. North Slope Historic District Walking Tour

This walking tour begins on North J Street, between North 9th and North 10th, with the home located at 911 North J Street. A link to the full tour is included in the notes below.The North Slope Historic District is a residential neighborhood of 228 acres containing 1,285 homes, making it one of the state’s largest historic districts and one of the largest west of the Mississippi. The North Slope district was settled primarily as a residential streetcar suburb with a wide variety of architectural styles. It is on the National, State, and Local Registers of Historic Places.1

2. 911 North J Street (1913)

Our tour starts next door to the Immanuel Presbyterian Church. This large craftsman was built circa 1913 for a physician, Dr. Warren Brown.

3. Immanuel Presbyterian Church (1908) - 901 North J Street

The Mission-style Immanuel Presbyterian Church was designed in 1908 by architect Ambrose Russell. He is considered one of Tacoma's most prominent architects of historic buildings from the early 1900s. It was placed on the Tacoma Register of Historic Places in 2024.

4. 817 North J Street (1889)

Built in 1889, this Stick style house was the home of John and Virginia Mason. Mason, a native of Illinois, enlisted with the Chicago Mercantile Battery of artillery at the outbreak of the War between the States. He served in General Sherman’s first attack on Vicksburg, Mississippi. He was eventually drafted into the military telegraph service. After the war he returned to telegraph service in Chicago and became the chief dispatcher for the Wabash Railroad line. In 1888 Mr. Mason arrived in Tacoma as assistant superintendent for the Northern Pacific Railway.

5. 816 North J Street (1940)

This residence was built in 1940. At 505 square feet it is one of the district’s smallest homes and an example of the minimalist traditional style that was prevalent in large numbers right before and after World War II. Minimal Traditional houses reflect the typical roof pitches of earlier styles, with the gabled roofline, but lack the decorative detailing of Tudors, Craftsmen, and many other designs.

6. 702 North J Street (1907)

The architectural firm of Russell & Babcock designed this handsome Swiss influenced craftsman in 1907 for James Dege, who came to Tacoma in 1889 from Atlanta where he worked in the clothier trade. Dege began working in a Tacoma bank and was later appointed Deputy Auditor. He began studying law and ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate. In 1898 he became a captain in the First WA Volunteers.

7. 701 North J Street (1901)

Architect Ambrose Russell designed this shingle style house in 1901 for Henry and Birdella Rhodes. In 1907, Frederick Heath designed the three-story addition on the north side. Henry Rhodes came to Tacoma in 1890 with his two brothers Charles and Albert and opened a tea and coffee shop, which eventually grew into Rhodes Brothers Department store, Washington’s first, and for several decades largest, department store. Henry Rhodes also founded and headed the Rainier National Park Corporation that built Paradise Lodge as well as the roads and infrastructure still in use at the park. Rhodes was also involved in many large building projects such as the Winthrop Hotel and the Tacoma Municipal Building. The house is listed on the National Register, the Washington Heritage Register and the Tacoma Register of Historic Places.

8. 523 North J Street (1895)

This was the home of George Wesley Bullard, one of Tacoma’s early architects. He designed and built this neo-colonial home in 1895, in which he wed his wife Anna Heath. Anna was a teacher, an early principal of Lincoln High School, and a member of the school board. Before marrying Bullard, she lived at 424 North M Street.

9. 1014 North 5th Street (1908)

This Craftsman house was built in 1908 by contractors (not architects), August L. Swanson and carpenter Olaf T. Hollen. Mary and Joseph Sharmen were early residents of the property. This house is a good example of an early 20th century bungalow—not particularly Craftsman, but not really belonging to any of the other dominate styles of the day.

10. 1015 & 1021 North 5th Street (1905)

The Cornell brothers, Ernest and Daniel, operated one of Tacoma’s largest construction firms. In 1905 they built these two residences for themselves: Ernest at 1015 and Daniel at 1021. Since no architect is listed, it’s likely that they designed the houses themselves. The Cornell Brothers built many houses in the North Slope as well as First Presbyterian Church, the grain elevators, the Elks Building (now McMenamins Elks Temple), and much of Camp Lewis (now Fort Lewis) in World War I.

11. 1102 North 5th Street (1901)

The Cornell Brothers built this 1901 Neo-Colonial Four-Square for F. G. Fisher. Fisher came to Tacoma in 1889 and started a shoe business with his brother. In 1895 he opened Tacoma Shoe on Pacific Avenue. By 1906 he joined with Stone to form Stone-Fisher Co., a clothing store that later became the Bon Marche (now Macy’s).

12. 417 North L Street (1913)

The Elliot Hall Apartments were built as an investment in 1913 by Mrs. Celesta P. Wheeler. The building is thought to have cost $20,000. While many North End residents assume that the tensions between single family dwelling owners and apartment owners are a relatively new dynamic, period newspaper reports indicate otherwise.

13. 417 North M Street (1905)

Sherman L. Blair designed this Four-Square in 1905 for W. A. Stewart, long time county Auditor and Deputy Auditor. Today this is the home of retired architect Timothy McDonald and his wife preservationist Kathleen Brooker. Timothy and his late wife Valerie Sivinski bought the house in 1989 and restored it to its original single family configuration. Valerie, who died in 2000, was instrumental in the formation of the North Slope Historic District.and served as the Historic Preservation Officer for the City of Tacoma. Timothy has served on the Landmarks Preservation Commission and Kathleen on the Board of Historic Tacoma.

14. 402 North Sheridan Ave (1901)

Ambrose Russell designed this unusual shingle-style house in 1901 for attorney Frederick H. Murray. Its extremely high-pitched roof and dormers, faced with art nouveau panels, are unique.

15. 1501 North 5th Street (1904)

In 1904 Charles Bartz, owner of Tacoma Millwork Supply, built this unique Four-Square with a two-story bay as his residence. Bartz was a native of Germany, and originally settled in La-Crosse, Wisconsin. Although he only lived here a few years, the house showcased his millwork. Most of the woodwork on the main floor was originally golden oak, with imitation birch floors. The second level floors were fir. Sadly many of the interior finishes were lost when it was divided into apartments.

16. 1415 North 5th Street (1895)

This Neo-Colonial was designed and built by the Cornell Brothers in 1895 for a business partner, William Gardener. He and William Ferguson owned and a plumbing and steam supply company. Ferguson's house is located at 1415 North 5th Street. Both houses were built by the Cornell Brothers.

17. 1401 North 5th Street (1895)

This Neo-Colonial was designed and built by the Cornell Brothers in 1895 for a business partner, William Ferguson. He and his business partner William Gardener owned and a plumbing and steam supply company. Gardner's house is located at 1415 North 5th Street.

18. 1402 North 5th Street (1903)

Proctor & Farrell designed this 1903 Four-Square for Ernest Lister, future eighth governor of Washington. In 1884, at age 14, Lister immigrated with his family from England. His uncle and father operated a local iron foundry where Ernest worked. At the time this house was built, Lister and his brother had formed the Lister Lumber Company and a real estate company.

19. 515 North Sheridan Ave (1892)

E. L. Sawyer, a real estate developer, had architect Oliver P. Dennis design the two houses located at 515 and 517 North Sheridan around 1892. Following the financial crash of 1893, 515 was the home of attorney Frank Graham, and 517 was home to the Peter Voorhees family.

20. 514 North Sheridan Ave (1902)

This 1902 Dutch Colonial designed by George Bullard was the home of Louis Stewart, who came to Tacoma in 1888 from West Virginia. He and his brother formed Kona Koffee in 1905, with Louis serving as president. Louis only lived here a few years, the next residents were William Leslie and Catherine H. McDonald. Mr. McDonald was a cigar dealer.

21. 517 North Sheridan Ave (1892)

E. L. Sawyer, a real estate developer, had architect Oliver P. Dennis design the two houses located at 515 and 517 North Sheridan around 1892. Following the financial crash of 1893, 515 was the home of attorney Frank Graham, and 517 was home to the Peter Voorhees family.

22. 715 North Sheridan Ave (1920)

Here is the heart of the North Slope Historic District, the site of Tacoma pioneer Job Carr’s farmhouse (not to be confused with his first cabin in Old Town), fairly close to the center of his farm. This area was originally known as Job Carr’s Hill.The house that you see here now was built in 1920 as the home of noted Tacoma architect Roland Borhek.If you are enjoying the North Slope Historic District walking tour, turn right (North) on to North 9th Street for the next stop on the tour.

23. 720 North Sheridan Ave (1908)

Through this portion of the North Slope Historic District walking tour, this next section of North Sheridan and North M includes several Craftsman homes, Cape Cods, and Tudor cottages mostly from the North Slope’s third building phase from about 1919 to 1930. By this time the North Slope had become an older middle-class urban neighborhood. Residents at the time were salesmen, engineers, carpenters, and bookkeepers.This 1908 residence was built as a regional variation of the Four-Square style, sometimes referred to as the “Seattle Box.” The style is distinguished by a recessed front porch, which often only covers a portion of the front. Second floor corner windows project on the main façade, and were designed to provide dramatic views. The center of the second floor is also commonly accented with a small exotically designed window or occasionally a pairing of windows.

24. 901 North M Street (1917)

This area is known as “Miller’s Corner” after Albert Miller, a building contractor and apartment owner. Miller built the apartments at 915 (1922) and 909 (1911) North M Street, as well as 901 (1917) and 1215 North 9th Street (1918).The apartments have had several name changes though out the years: Orchid Apartments (1919–1933), Holly Apartments (1943–1980), and the current name McKellar was given in 1981. Miller also built the residences at 909 (1911) and 915 (1922) North M Street.

25. 1215 North 9th Street (1918)

This area is known as “Miller’s Corner” after Albert Miller, a building contractor and apartment owner. Miller built the apartments at 915 (1922) and 909 (1911) North M Street, as well as 901 (1917) and 1215 North 9th Street (1918).The apartments have had several name changes though out the years: Orchid Apartments (1919–1933), Holly Apartments (1943–1980), and the current name McKellar was given in 1981. Miller also built the residences at 909 (1911) and 915 (1922) North M Street.

26. 815 North L Street (1925)

This 1925 English Revival Cottage is almost Storybook in style, with its faux thatched roof. It was the home of Fred J. and Elizabeth Stabbert. Mr. Stabbert operated a plaster business. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and also served as the director of the Tacoma Rescue Mission.

27. 901 & 903 North K Street (1892)

These two handsome Queen Anne homes are all that remains of twelve similar homes nicknamed “the twelve apostles.” Sadly, the Tacoma Housing Authority razed the other 10 “apostles” in the 1960s. They were designed by architects Bullard & Haywood in 1892 for Tacoma tycoon Allen C. Mason. Lemuel T. Root was the building contractor for the houses, and was responsible for more than sixty residences in Tacoma.

28. 1012 North 9th Street (1888)

Although altered, this 1888 residence is thought to be the only remaining house known to have been designed by Katherine Lockwood Squire, architect for the Tacoma Building Association. Squire was Washington’s first professional female architect in Washington State and designed more than two-dozen buildings in Tacoma.

29. 1001, 1005 & 1009 North 9th Street (1925)

All three of these Craftsman houses were built in 1925.1005 was the home of Steve G. Victor, a native of Marmara, Greece. He worked at the Pacific Oyster and Fish Company at Tacoma’s Crystal Palace Market. Steve and his brothers purchased the business in 1928, renaming it the “Victor Brothers Fishmarket.” Steve was particularly active at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, and was a co-founder of the organization.1009 was the home of William and Mina Gray. William was involved with the Tacoma Kenworth Company, a commercial truck sales firm.If you are enjoying the North Slope Historic District Walking Tour, turn right (East) onto J Street, and return to starting point.

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Tacoma's North Slope Historic District

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