5. At NW Vernon Place

The 5300 block terminates in a facing pair of bank buildings. Indeed the ornate crest of the taller structure on east northeast corner, now the Starlight Hotel, is emblazoned with the words "Bank Building," and it was built in 1902 for Ballard's home-grown Scandinavian American Bank. Across Ballard Avenue, the sculpted cornucopia on the neo-classical pediment has advocated "Thrift" since 1914, although the original Ballard Savings & Loan Association passed on years ago.

A short walk west on Vernon to NW Shilshole will lead you to a sturdy brick house that was actually built in 1913 as the administrative office of the Stimson Mill which once took up much of the Salmon Bay waterfront. The building was designed by Spokane-based architect Kirtland Cutter, who was responsible for such Seattle landmarks as the Rainier Club and the Stimson-Green Mansion.

Courtesy Walt Crowley

Courtesy Walt Crowley