Snapshot in Time: One of Seattle’s First Pioneers and Undertaker

…and one of Magnolia’s first settlers.

by Monica Wooton
President Magnolia Historical Society


Then…

Around 1875, Ole Shillestad (aka Schillestad) emigrated from Norway to Illinois and stayed one year before coming to Seattle as one of the earliest pioneers. He was skilled at wood working. He and wife Regina settled here with their three young children.

South side of Salmon Bay, later part of Seattle, 1889
Drawing by Alfred Schillestad, Courtesy MOHAI (Cirelli Collection, Image No. 2002.50.169)

It was the early days of a wet pioneer town and very primitive a Seattle where Yesler’s mill was the center of the action. Ole opened a business across the street: ”Cabinets, Upholstering and Undertaking”.  With Theodore Coulter, Shillestad became one of Seattle’s first undertakers. When his partner died, he continued on in the business until he retired in 1888. Most surprising, was his move to the shores of Salmon Bay outlaying in early unpopulated Magnolia in a house he built in the late 1890’s. It was simple, except it had fine details of special moldings and dentils under the eaves. The address was simply “South Shore of Salmon Bay”. This house was on many acres which Ole farmed in his late years. He is listed in the City Directory as “fruit grower” according to HistoryLink.

Shillestad sold some of his land to the Army for Fort Lawton and some he sold to build the Locks. The house was reportedly moved when the locks were built and the water level rose enough that the original apple orchard was harvested from a rowboat.


A winter scene at the Ole Shillestad property circa 1890. The house to the right and the orchard is covered in snow in front of the barn to the left.
Discovery Park Archive, Courtesy of Glades Shillestad Kaysner.

This property was the subject of his son Alfred’s sketch books which are at the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI).  This land became the property of a succession of caretakers including the parents of Magnolian Monty Holmes.

“Monty Holmes told the story of the land his family was asked to tend in 1928 at the permanent address 3050 West Commodore Way. It was more a handshake deal than a rental agreement. Ole Shillestad place was a grand 1880s home. Fifteen acres came with the house—more than the usual few lots many subsistence farmers had in those days. The house was built with care and attention to detail. Shillestad had a penchant for architectural flourishes and artistic touches: painted and molded plaster around the lights, fancy molding, and quality materials of the day were built in the home.

“…Monty’s family was lucky to have the 15 acres to work. They had 24 fruit trees which
included Black Bing and a smaller variety of pie cherries, yellow and Italian prunes, Bartlett pears, Gravenstein, Red Delicious and Crab apples. The garden had just about everything, including cabbage, corn, spinach, tomatoes, and “the best radishes!”

“…Fishing near the Locks provided added fare to the table also. Monty says his mother
always announced the “table was set” when the tide went out—and Monty and his sister
went out to gather the bounty: clams, mussels, and fish.

“…When Monty’s dad went to work as a fisherman and was gone from home full time, the rest of the family had to keep things running smoothly and get in the winter stocks. Monty remembers fondly that “in a good summer of a good year my mom set a goal of canning 500 jars of food for the coming winter and it was all done over a hot wood stove.”

“…In 1944, Shillestad offered the Holmes the property for $10,000 (about $750 an acre). But, they could not afford it, and the land was broken up into lots and sold. The farming days on the Shillestad property were over…”


Now…

This winter and for over 60 winters past on Tuesday, December 18th , at 8:00 p.m., the Christmas ships stop in the Ballard Locks to carol as they pass by the Shillestad property where the Lockhaven Condos now reside on the Magnolia side of the Locks (south side).  Directly across the canal survives another house that Ole Shillestad built for in-laws (his wife’s sister Anna Brygger and husband John, early pioneers of Seattle and Ballard). It is left in the form of  the Lock Spot Tavern (aptly named) which occupies the old house and added on space. Anyone interested in the early days along Commodore Way, can browse through the sketches in the Michael Cellini Collections at the new MOHAI archive The Sophie Frye Bass Library in the Georgetown section of Seattle, located at 5933 6th Avenue South. Call 206-324-1126 ext 137 or ext 237 to make an appointment.

Sources: HistoryLink By Jody Hendrickson, October 16, 2007, The Schillestad Family: Sketches of Salmon Bay Life, HistoryLink.org Essay 8334;
Seattle Times, Now and Then, April 26th, 1992, “Before the Locks”, Paul Dorpat;
Magnolia: Memories & Milestones, 2001, Magnolia  Community Club, “Rural Magnolia: A Pastoral Place”, Monica Wooton.
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