Historic Homes of Tacoma Tour 2007

This weekend I went on the Tacoma Historical Society's homes tour. The homes (and 1 church!) chosen were great examples of the wonderful craftsmanship of historic homes and buildings typical in Tacoma, WA.

In order of the tour there was

1) Epworth LeSourd United Methodist Church.

Built in 1926 with a modified Gothic style and a pretty steeple. This lovely church was a whopping $90,000 to build and was dedicated on May 23, 1926. It holds about 600 people in the auditorium and up to 400 at tables in the social hall. The Epworth congregation was organized in 1889 by Reverend George Wilding. The actual building of the church was started by the Reverend David G. LeSourd. In 1972, Epworth united with LeSourd Methodist.

2) Wilson House

Built in 1906 the home cost $6,000 to build and was built for Thomas Wilson. George Gove designed the home and it was constructed by the Delmont-Miller Company.  This home has more than 4,000 square feet of living space.  Former residents include the Frank Ladenburg family (check out Sports Illustrated from the 1980's) , Percy Creath Smith and Dora Burge Smith.

3) Brix House

Built in 1907. This home was designed by John J. Evans and built by Berry & Spaulding Construction. The home was built for Anton H. and Minna Brix, founders of A.H. Brix Lumber Company. The Brix's belonged to Epworth Methodist Church. This home has 4,975 square feet of living space. Former residents include Herman Brix (aka Bruce Bennett - Olympic athlete and Hollywood movie star known for playing Tarzan), Victor N & Iva E. Sandstedt and Mrs. Era B. Gill.

4) Tweeden House

Built in 1904 and completed right before Christmas. The 5,774 square foot home was built for A.W. Tweeden and his wife and three girls. Mr. Tweeden was Vice President & Treasurer for the Northwest Bridge Company, Dredgers and General Contractors. There is a hitching post out front next to the street. Former residents include jewelery store owner Solomon J. Farber (who also owned the O.K. Loan Office in downtown Tacoma) ad Jay R. & Irene A. Merrick owners of Jay Merrick Jewelery.

5) Shroeder House

Built in 1890 for $2,000. The 3,551 square foot home was one of 11 homes in the first wave of construction on the North Slope. Sherman Shroeder applied for the building permit. In the 1920's a bakery was opperated out of the front of the house while a sheet metal shop was opperated out of the back of the house. Over the course of it's 117 year history due to the fact that it has been apartment several times, there have been numerous former residents.

6) Nichols House

Built in 1907 for $9,000. This 3,200 square foot home was built for William & Elzora Nichols. The home was designed by architect Ambrose J. Russell.  William Nichols was the general manager of the Pacific Coast Gypsum Company. In 1949, Dr. Philip & Dorothy Grenley purchased the home. Dr. Grenley was a noted urologist, medical researcher and teacher. He graduated from medical school at 18 and opened a practice in Tacoma in 1946.

7) Albertson House

Built in 1892 for Arthur Freeman Alberson. This home has 3,590 square feet. Many prominent Tacoma families have called this house home. Former residents include Edwin Miller (warden of McNeil Island Penitentiary & elder for Immanuel Presbyterian Church), George Hunt Walker (Pierce County Prosecutor), Dan Pratt, Thomas G. Hathaway, and Curt Hawkins (President of Pierce County Restaruant Association) and many more.

8) Lord House

Built between 1905 & 1906 by Sherman L. Blair for Dr. Lord, a Tacoma dentist. Mr. Blair built houses designed by architect George W. Bullard. Many of Bullard's homes can be found in the North Slope Historic District. This home has approximately 2,700 square feet of living space. Former residents include prominent young widow Mrs. May Heuston, and Weyerhaeuser official Richard Londgren (and his wife Anita). The current resident(s) are featured in the March 2007 edition of Sunset Magazine.

9) Proctor House

Built in 1890 by and for John G. Proctor. This home has 2,382 square feet of living space. Proctor Street in Tacoma was named after John G. Proctor. Mr. Proctor, his wife Zellah, and their three daughters called this home. They also were a prominent family at Epworth Methodist Episcopal Church. Former residents include County Commissioner John J. McDonald, and Brian Ebersole who served in the Washington State Legislature, was Speaker of the House, and also Mayor of Tacoma from 1996 to 2001.