4. West Side of the 100 Block of 1st Avenue S

The west side of the street features several significant buildings, beginning with the Schwabacher, designed by the ubiquitous Elmer Fisher and completed in 1890. Under the direction of Bailey Gatzert, Seattle's first and, to date, only Jewish mayor, the Schwabacher later became a major outfitter to Klondike Gold Rush prospectors. Many of these "sourdoughs" also found lodging at the adjacent Northern Hotel (architect Charles W. Saunders, completed 1889). The south end of the block is anchored by the elegant Maynard Building, designed by Albert Wickersham and completed in 1892. It stands on the site of Seattle's first bank, a safe owned by Dexter Horton, who went on to found Seattle First National Bank (since assimilated by the Bank of America).

Courtesy Walt Crowley