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Early Seattle resident Henry L. Yesler (1810-1892) had this house erected on the northeast corner of Front Street (later renamed 1st Avenue) and James Street. (See "Seattle Waterfront History, Chapter 3,"Accessed 05/26/2009) He lived separately from his wife, Sarah Burgert Yesler (1822-1887), for seven years (1851-1858) until she left her OH home to resettle in the tiny Washington Territory settlement in 07/1858. This first Yesler House was located where the Pioneer Building (1891) would later rise on Pioneer Square in Downtown Seattle, WA. Owner of the town's first lumber production facility, Yesler became a central figure in Seattle's economic and political development during the last half of the 19th century. His mill literally built the city and served as its first major employer.

The house had a false front obscuring its gable-front roof. A covered porch projected out on the front facade. Five paired columns supported the porch roof. Four steps led up to the porch. The building had a wood frame covered by clapboard siding. The house extended back behind the false front in two sections; the rear portion may have been added later than 1852. Frank R. Atkins wrote of Henry Yesler's first residence: "Yesler's first home was a modest one-story frame affair containing but five rooms...." (See Frank R. Atkins, Henry Yesler Home One of Early Show Places," Seattle Star, 08/07/1937.)

Demolished. The site was later occupied by the venerable Pioneer Building (1891).

PCAD id: 14004