Wedge Historic District Walking Tour
Description
This is a tour of the historic Wedge District.
This tour was curated by: Historic Tacoma
Historic Tacoma’s mission is to promote, conserve and enhance Tacoma’s architectural character. We advocate for the recognition and reuse of our historic places and connect people with preservation resources. Historic Tacoma empowers supporters and community members to become active partners in saving Tacoma’s heritage.
This impressive home was built in the year 1909 for William A. Taylor, a local newspaper pressman. The residence has predominately Craftsman details with the broad gable end, exposed rafter tails and basic rectangular shape. The shingled walls and half timbering in the gable end are common for the style.
This Colonial Revival styled house was built in 1899 for Aaron R. Titlow. Titlow, a prominent lawyer, worked for the National Bank of Commerce. He was also the financier of the Hesperides Hotel (1911) at Titlow Beach. Mr. Titlow purchased the beachfront property in 1903 and immediately requested annexation to Tacoma, which would provide sewage and water services.
Architect Silas Nelsen, and his wife Gerda, owned two building lots on South Sheridan, and had originally planned to build the garage before the home was constructed. Silas then decided to build a small cottage (407 South Sheridan Avenue) on the future garage foundation and live in the petite residence with his wife and young daughter while his larger home was under construction during the late 1920s.
Architect Silas Nelsen, and his wife Gerda, owned two building lots on South Sheridan, and had originally planned to build the garage before the home was constructed. The Colonial Revival house at 405 South Sheridan Avenue was selected as one of the ten most beautiful homes in Tacoma by the Tacoma Society of Architects in 1931.
The architectural firm of Russell & Babcock built this Swiss-styled house for Worthington W. and Ida Pickerill in 1906. Mr. Pickerill was president of the Washington Automobile Company. The couple lived in the house through 1912. The house had a series of owners. From 1919–1923, Benjamin and Anna Snyder resided here. Benjamin was an engineer.
Turn left onto Division AvenueThe Berg Apartments were built in 1916 by Gus Berg. Gus was a resident of the Wedge neighborhood and lived at 520 South Sheridan Avenue. Mr. Berg, born in Sweden, had lived in Tacoma since 1888.
416 South M Street built around 1922, this Craftsman house was home to Glenn O. Portrude from the mid 1930s until the late 1940s. A native of Jackson, Michigan, Glen moved to Tacoma in the year of 1898. He had career as an engineer for the Northern Pacific Railroad until his retirement in the year 1950.
Built around the year of 1916, this Craftsman house was home to John G. and Anna Liljebeck from the 1920s until the 1950s. John, a native of Sweden, lived in the city of Tacoma for more than thirty years. He worked as a paving contractor in the firm of Anderson & Liljebeck.
Built in 1918, the Nason Apartments was designed with six apartment units. Each originally had two entrances so that “tradesmen may deliver their goods at the rear without disturbing the tenants in front.” The apartments had polished fir floors and painted beam ceilings. The kitchens and dining rooms had built–in sideboards and cupboards of natural fir.
Turn left onto Sixth AvenueThis apartment building, was constructed in 1910, it is Neoclassical in style. The Neoclassical style utilizes some of the same design elements as the Colonial Revival style, although proportions are often different. Facades are generally symmetrical. Porches are monumental in scale, reaching the full double–story height of the building
This home was built in the year of 1904, this residence was the home of Andrew and Bertha Tweeden. Andrew Tweeden and his business partner, Adelbert U. Mills, designed and built the house themselves. Tweeden and Mills were partners in the Northwest Bridge Company from the year 1899 until 1909.
This residence with Colonial Revival detailing was built in the year 1901 by Edward Cook Hill for Robert L. Vance. Vance was the proprietor of the North Pacific Lunch Room and served as the county's treasurer as well. The house has had numerous owners and renters throughout the years.
This Craftsman residence was designed and built by George F. Murray in the year 1919. His father was an agent for Hudson's Bay Company store in the city of Steilacoom. George was born at Muck Creek (near Spanaway), and with the exception of time spent at Portland College, he lived in the area all his life.
This Free-Classic Styled Victorian was built in the year 1901 for James Carter and Gladys Todd. The house was built by general contractor Edward C. Hill, brother of prominent Tacoma architect Frank. D. Hill. James, a native of lowa, moved to Tacoma at age 29 and started the Ship Chandlery Company
This Craftsman house was built in 1909 by Carl Johnson, local carpenter and Swedish immigrant. Carl was a member of the Carpenters' Union the Local #70. His wife, Hannah, was from Waverly, Nebraska. This home built by Johnson was later purchased by the Gheri couple in 1971.
This American-Foursquare house was built by H. Lundgren in 1910 for John and Lydia Hartman. Home builder Hokan Lundgren was a Swedish born immigrant who came to the United States with his wife, Elsa, in the year of 1901. Lundgren built a vast amount of homes located in the North Tacoma area.
Turn right at the corner of South 5th Street.This house was built and established for a couple by the name of John and Alfrida Peterson in the year of 1910. John and his brother Peter both were Swedish immigrants who arrived in the city of Tacoma in the year 1891.
At the corner of Sixth Avenue and South Ainsworth, turn northA number of buildings typically of the early 20th century design aesthetic included built-in ice boxes, medicine cabinets, ironing boards, cupboards and linen closets. The Bungalow Courts, were built in the year 1927 and they were designed to serve as seventeen apartments.
The first historic building on the Wedge Historic District walking tour is located at 1619 Sixth Avenue in Tacoma. This Gothic Revival style First United Presbyterian Church was designed in 1922 by two architects who were brothers, Stanley T. and Frederic Shaw. Historically this building has been a place for the community to gather.