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.

Sherman L. Blair designed this Four-Square in 1905 for W. A. Stewart, long time county Auditor and Deputy Auditor. The house was fully restored by architects Valerie Sivinski and Tim McDonald, who were instrumental in the formation of the North Slope Historic District. Valerie served as the Historic Preservation Officer for the City of Tacoma and co-founded the firm Artifacts Consulting with historian Michael Sullivan. Valerie was killed in 2000 while conducting preservation-related work. The park at North K and N. 8th St. was later named in her honor. The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation developed the Valerie Sivinski Washington Preserves Fund to help provide funding for local communities to preserve their heritage. The Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation gives an annual Valerie Sivinski Award for Outstanding Rehabilitation as well.

Who was Sherman Blair?

Sherman Blair, a prominent building contractor, was a native of Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. He moved to Tacoma between 1902 and 1903. He worked in construction as both a designer and a contractor until his unexpected death in 1918, at age 60. Mr. Blair served as construction superintendent for Tacoma’s First United Methodist Church. The church, dedicated in 1916, was considered Tacoma’s best example of Ecclesiastical Gothic Revival. The building was demolished by the Multi-Care Health System in early 2007. Blair specialized in upper-middle class houses built in Tacoma’s North End. He was the contractor for at least three more elaborate residences designed by prominent architect George W. Bullard, including Bullard’s own residence at 75 West Road, Prospect Hill.

Other homes built by Sherman Blair:

• 1220 North 5th Street (1906)
• 520 North Ainsworth Avenue (1907)
• 516 North Cushman Avenue (1915)
• 520 North Cushman Avenue (1907)
• 524 North Cushman Avenue (1907)
• 810 North Cushman Avenue (1908)
• 515 North I Street (1909)
• 721 North L Street (1905)
• 1017 North L Street (1908)
• 417 North M Street (1906)
• 817 North Sheridan Avenue (1906)

A Walking Tour of the North Slope Historic District. Tacoma, WA. Historic Tacoma Press, 2008.