426:
Lyon case was still unsolved with a reward now reaching $ 5,000 but revelations in the ensuing inquisition would soon prove them correct. California authorities revealed through questioning that James B. McNamara had confessed to being in
Seattle on the night of the explosion, having checked into a cottage in the rear of 1020 6th Ave on August 19 under the alias of J.B. Bryce but referring to himself as "Petervitch". He would spend the following week in the city buying supplies and building a bomb that could be detonated by electric spark and while posing as an amateur miner, attended explosive classes and even took pieces of his device to an electric shop directly across the street from the Lyon Building for repairs. He would use the knowledge gained in Seattle to carry out the bombings in Los Angeles. McNamara also confessed to having acted alone in the bombing, despite evidence that he was being shadowed by an accomplice and had support from local iron workers union leadership; the motive being retaliation against Stone & Webster's non-union labor policies.
433:, J.H. McCormick, the keeper of the lodge McNamara had stayed at under an alias, offered damning testimony of his comings and goings from his room that coordinated with both the Seattle and LA bombings: that he had witnessed much suspicious behavior from the man, him returning from the scene of the explosion as well as the discovery of an alarm clock (of the type used in other bombings) stashed behind a wall in his room after he had left on September 18. McNamara and his accomplices would plead guilty to all charges by the end of 1911, but the investigation into higher-ups in the conspiracy continued and several Seattle union leaders would eventually face charges.
327:
442:
78:
356:"We had planned a skyscraper for this corner costing $ 400,000 or more but we will not build until we know what move the city of Seattle will make next. When we improved this property 16 months ago the city officials informed us that the street line would remain as it then was. Since then the city has widened the street and we are now tearing down the work constructed less than two years ago." - R. Auzias Turenne, June 1908
62:
1141:
404:
sidewalks. The Lyon
Building's windows had not yet been installed so the explosion vented freely. The wooden floors had recently been installed though and had all been blown loose. After the dust had settled it was discovered by the police that several 6-inch deep holes had been bored into the basement wall of the elevator shaft and surrounding columns where
85:
309:(1829-1893), 8th mayor of Seattle (1875–76) and one of the city's leading businessmen in the 19th century as a partner in the Schwabacher Brothers hardware company. Gatzert had his home constructed in 1875 during his term as mayor and it was one of the most elegant houses in the city at the time. The Gatzerts would play host to president
425:
of
October 1, 1910, which killed 20 non-union newspaper employees and raised questions among local law enforcement of whether the two bombings were related and whether the suspects hadn't fled the city immediately. By the time the McNamara Brothers were arrested for the LA bombings in April 1911, the
417:
offered a reward of $ 250 to catch the culprits, with Stone & Webster contributing an additional $ 2,500 soon after. About a week after the explosion a civilian thwarted an alleged bombing attempt on a
Chinese-owned business in Pioneer Square by several men matching the description of the Lyons
342:
with a working title of "The New Hotel
Seattle" and elaborate perspective drawings were published in local newspapers, but because of the odd slope of Third Avenue at the site and the city's constant delays in regrading it, the project stalled before the hotel could even get an official name. After
313:
at the home during his visit to the city in the Fall of 1880. In 1892, following the lead of other wealthy
Seattleites, Gatzert and his wife Barbetta purchased an entire block on First Hill with plans to build a new mansion after returning from a vacation to Europe but Gatzert would die on the boat
263:
only 1 month after. The Lyon
Building was luckily not destroyed due to its substantial construction, and after little delay, it was completed in 1911 and soon became one of Seattle's most popular office addresses for lawyers and judges due to its proximity to Seattle's public safety complex and the
412:
A police investigation was immediately begun but there was little physical evidence found. A disgruntled laborer was suspected in the attack and according to Police chief
Charles Wappenstein there were reports of at least 5 "roughly dressed" men seen near the building the evening of the explosion.
394:
engineering corporation who were known as an "open shop" firm, meaning they used non-union labor on all their jobs; a point of contention amongst national labor unions that would make them a target of union activists. Demolition of the old
Gatzert House and the warren of surrounding shops began in
473:
R. Auzias de
Turenne died in 1941 and ownership of the Yukon Investment Company and its properties including the Lyon Building was passed to his son Leon. During this time the corner was occupied by the Hi-Hat Waffle bar, a popular breakfast spot for courthouse employees and lawyers. Leon died in
461:
in the building, Cercle Tobiac No. 301. Building owner Auzias-Turenne, with strong French-Canadian connections, became its president. Another club opened in the building relevant to its owner was the Alaskan Square Deal League, a place where "All Alaskans were invited to call and make this office
351:
for $ 150,000. Turenne soon formed the Yukon Investment Company that would be in charge of developing new buildings and properties around the city. Due to continuing uncertainty about the regrading and widening of Third Avenue, the Third and James property remained unimproved and the increasingly
403:
On the night of August 31, 1910, an explosion shook the unfinished building just as nearby theaters were letting out, throwing pedestrians to the ground and shattering nearly every window, including those of a passing street car, in a two-block radius, sending shards of glass raining to the
408:
had been placed. Though over $ 5,000 in damage was caused by the explosion there were no deaths, no fire was caused by the explosion, and the location of the bomb in a non-vulnerable area in the building prevented any major structural damage and was confined to the basement. The building's
322:
on the site. After Gatzert's passing, his widow moved out of the house and later out of the city all together. Their old home was turned into lodgings and the grounds around it would gradually be filled in with a hodgepodge of small brick buildings, rendering the old house unrecognizable.
557:
485:. Instead of demolishing the building, the basement level at James Street, previously used for retail, was rebuilt to accommodate the station facilities. By the 1990s the building was owned by King County at which time it was nominated for inclusion in the
462:
their headquarters". Architect Graham would locate his office in the building not long after completion, the first of several architects who would over the years including William Mallis, Joseph Cote and Stoddard & Son. Seattle's
365:
In February 1910 during a whirlwind of new construction in the city, the Yukon Investment Company announced that they were finally ready to build; proposing a substantial $ 500,000 building on the site. They commissioned architects
409:
construction, which had already been delayed by two months due to material shortages, had to be delayed further to completely rebuild the elevator shaft and most of the plumbing that had been mangled in the explosion.
508:
489:
and it was officially listed on June 30, 1995 and one year later became a city of Seattle landmark. During this time the building was converted into housing and a center for services for the homeless by the
1080:"Lyon Building - 607 Third Avenue: Redecorated, carpeted offices in various sizes and exposures. Near county/city offices. Older building beautifully maintained, caring management, Competitive rentals".
457:
was built across the intersection of James Street. In September 1911 the L'alliance Nationale, the strongest French-Canadian fraternal society on the continent, opened their first Pacific Coast
1176:
1181:
494:. It was sold in November 1995 for $ 1,500,000 to the Lyon Building Limited Partnership who transferred it to the DESC in 2012, who are the current owners and tenants of the building.
1171:
334:
The property was purchased from the Gatzert Estate for $ 70,000 in September 1901 by a syndicate headed by William E. Stevens of the Stevens Hotel Company (which managed the
1161:
390:
in honor of the French heritage he and many others involved in his investment company shared. The contract for construction was soon awarded to the nationally renowned
1166:
77:
284:
on June 30, 1995 and was designated a Seattle landmark on August 16, 1996. In 1997 it was converted to residential use as a shelter and services center for the
449:
The Lyon Building was finally completed in March 1911. Among the first tenants to move in was the Brown-Powell Liquor Company's restaurant and the Seattle
669:"The Old Bailey Gatzert house, thoroughly renovated, has furnished rooms to let by day, week or month. Corner James & Third. Board if Desired ".
114:
474:
1957 but the company continued to operate into the late 1980s and the Lyon Building was always kept up to date with modern office space needs.
837:"Dynamite Used in Attempt to Wreck Building; Effort of Miscreant, Believed to Be Disgruntled Laborer, Results in $ 3,000 Loss to Lyon Block".
343:
having refused several offers, in May 1905 W.E. Stevens' syndicate sold the property to capitalist Raymond Auzias de Turenne, then the French
315:
533:
486:
281:
39:
255:
engineering firm, whose use of non-union labor would make the yet unfinished building the target of a bombing by notorious union activist
867:"Amateur Sleuth Foils Bomb-Throwers' Plan: Plot to Blow Up Chinese Mercantile House Overheard by Hotel Guest, Who Sets Police On Track".
491:
289:
1145:
467:
441:
386:
styles. A special feature of the building would be an interior court as wide as Third Avenue. Turenne named the building after
326:
478:
was founded on the building's fourth floor in 1973 by Dr. Michael A. Pastore to provide higher education for working adults.
450:
379:
319:
182:
1110:
418:
buildings suspects but they were able to escape before police arrived. This incident was later found to be unrelated.
475:
269:
481:
In the 1980s the Lyon Building was chosen as a site for one of the entrances to the Pioneer Square Station of the
503:
422:
383:
260:
48:
458:
305:
The double lot at the Northwest corner of Third Avenue and James Street was originally the site of the home of
172:
930:"Seek Dynamite "Higher-Ups" Clew; Federal Detectives Work on Lines in Connection With Lyon Building Affair".
482:
454:
378:, which would be shorter than the previous buildings planned there. The resulting design was a mixture of
277:
273:
265:
807:"Work Commences On Two Big Buildings: Construction of Lyon and McCormick Blocks Begins Simultaneously".
538:
445:
The future site of the King County Courthouse c.1911, the recently completed Lyon Building is at center.
338:, among others), who intended to build a 10-story fireproof hotel on the site. Plans were prepared by
960:"The Crime of the Century Is Solved; McNamaras Confess to Outrages; Dynamiters Fight for Life Ends".
371:
339:
310:
102:
268:. It was the founding location of many foreign consuls, social and political clubs as well as the
236:
391:
252:
590:
Strachan, Margaret Pitcairn (January 7, 1945). "Early-Day Mansions - No. 19 - Bailey Gatzert".
729:"Four Big Sales Real Estate; Lot at Third Avenue and James Sold to Alaska Man for $ 150,000".
256:
975:
Hedrick, P.C. (October 6, 1911). "Evidence Points to James B. McNamara In Seattle Outrage".
367:
248:
229:
314:
before making it back home in April 1893. That property would eventually be donated to the
625:
247:, reflecting the French heritage of the company's owners. It was designed by the firm of
463:
306:
61:
195:
1155:
414:
405:
335:
244:
240:
430:
387:
285:
608:
352:
ramshackle corner was beginning to be seen as a public nuisance and a fire trap.
1095:
Schulz, Blaine (January 25, 1984). "'City U' Puts Emphasis On Computer Skills".
453:
Club. The upstairs offices became a popular address for lawyers even before the
344:
466:
was located in the building for about a year and the local headquarters of the
243:. It was built in 1910 by the Yukon Investment Company and was named after the
375:
348:
129:
116:
684:"Ten-story Hotel to Be Built: Will Be at Corner of Third Avenue and James".
558:"Lyons Building Landmark Designation: Seattle City Council Ordinance 118236"
1140:
232:
714:"Stevens at the Head: Assumes Management of Stevens Hotel Company".
509:
National Register of Historic Places listings in Seattle, Washington
440:
325:
528:
421:
Exactly 30 days after the Lyon Building bombing was the infamous
251:
in the Chicago school style of architecture and was built by the
777:"Building Maintains Remarkable Growth: Big Building Planned".
330:
The Gatzert corner during the 3rd Avenue regrade c.1903-4.
272:. The building's basement now serves as an entrance the
395:
March and the building was begun the following month.
228:
is a historic building located at 607 Third Avenue in
945:"Seattle Man is a Vital Witness in Dynamite Case".
762:"Handsome New Office Building at Third and James".
470:were located in the building throughout the 1910s.
214:
206:
201:
188:
178:
168:
153:
145:
108:
97:
1177:Chicago school architecture in Washington (state)
822:"Nitro-Glycerin is Exploded in Lyons Building".
699:"Real Estate and Building News: The New Hotel".
649:
647:
1182:National Register of Historic Places in Seattle
882:"Lyon Building Outrage May Now Be Cleared Up".
429:At the nation-wide bombing conspiracy trial in
552:
550:
548:
292:, who are the current owners of the building.
16:Historic building in Seattle, Washington, U.S.
8:
895:
893:
852:"$ 2,500 More Reward for Lyon Dynamiters".
1172:Buildings and structures completed in 1910
585:
583:
581:
579:
577:
575:
60:
1162:1910 establishments in Washington (state)
900:"Seattle Man Accuses James B. McNamara".
744:"Transfers of Month May Set New Record".
40:U.S. National Register of Historic Places
1167:1910s architecture in the United States
915:"Seattle Agent of Association Called".
757:
755:
654:"Gatzert Home Is Held to Be a Menace".
520:
399:Labor disputes and the McNamara bombing
1050:"Exchange to Move; Market Is Steady".
1020:"French Fraternal Society Organized".
620:
618:
603:
601:
529:"National Register Information System"
23:
1115:King County Department of Assessments
990:"Patricians' Club At Banquet Board".
316:Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle
280:. The Lyon Building was added to the
84:
7:
534:National Register of Historic Places
487:National Register of Historic Places
282:National Register of Historic Places
1111:"Assessor's Report for 601 3rd Ave"
841:. September 1, 1910. pp. 1, 3.
632:. Downtown Emergency Service Center
1084:. September 18, 1983. p. C19.
374:office building clad in brick and
173:Graham, John, Sr.; Myers, David J.
14:
1024:. September 17, 1911. p. 13.
492:Downtown Emergency Service Center
290:Downtown Emergency Service Center
66:Viewed from the southeast in 2007
1139:
994:. December 14, 1910. p. 12.
919:. December 19, 1911. p. 15.
856:. September 4, 1910. p. 21.
796:. February 16, 1910. p. 22.
781:. February 13, 1910. p. 34.
718:. September 22, 1902. p. 4.
703:. November 30, 1901. p. 10.
688:. September 24, 1901. p. 4.
83:
76:
871:. September 5, 1910. p. 7.
826:. September 1, 1910. p. 1.
748:. February 9, 1910. p. 11.
245:city in France of the same name
1069:. January 30, 1914. p. 5.
1054:. October 2, 1912. p. 14.
1052:The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
1039:. December 6, 1911. p. 9.
1035:"Alaska Square Deal League ".
992:The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
964:. December 2, 1911. p. 1.
962:The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
949:. October 10, 1912. p. 6.
947:The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
934:. January 13, 1912. p. 7.
932:The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
904:. October 29, 1912. p. 5.
824:The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
809:The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
288:and at-risk by the non-profit
259:, who would commit the deadly
190:
1:
1009:. April 21, 1911. p. 10.
886:. April 11, 1911. p. 13.
766:. March 12, 1911. p. 39.
673:. March 31, 1902. p. 10.
811:. April 5, 1910. p. 14.
21:United States historic place
658:. June 22, 1908. p. 8.
1198:
792:"Notice to Contractors ".
476:City University of Seattle
437:Completion and later years
270:City University of Seattle
733:. May 4, 1905. p. 5.
504:List of Seattle landmarks
423:Los Angeles Times bombing
261:Los Angeles Times bombing
189:NRHP reference
71:
59:
55:
46:
37:
30:
26:
609:"NPGallery Asset Detail"
318:who would construct the
301:Before the Lyon Building
179:Architectural style
130:47.602833°N 122.331889°W
1097:The Seattle Daily Times
1082:The Seattle Daily Times
1067:The Seattle Daily Times
1037:The Seattle Daily Times
1022:The Seattle Daily Times
1007:The Seattle Daily Times
977:The Seattle Daily Times
917:The Seattle Daily Times
902:The Seattle Daily Times
884:The Seattle Daily Times
869:The Seattle Daily Times
854:The Seattle Daily Times
839:The Seattle Daily Times
794:The Seattle Daily Times
779:The Seattle Daily Times
764:The Seattle Daily Times
746:The Seattle Daily Times
731:The Seattle Daily Times
716:The Seattle Daily Times
701:The Seattle Daily Times
686:The Seattle Daily Times
671:The Seattle Daily Times
656:The Seattle Daily Times
592:The Seattle Daily Times
1146:Lyon Building, Seattle
1005:"Law Firm Announced".
483:Seattle Transit Tunnel
455:King County Courthouse
446:
358:
331:
278:Seattle Transit Tunnel
274:Pioneer Square station
266:King County Courthouse
135:47.602833; -122.331889
979:. pp. 1 & 2.
539:National Park Service
444:
354:
329:
215:Designated SEATL
1148:at Wikimedia Commons
1065:"Valkmar Elected ".
370:to design a 6-story
392:Stone & Webster
372:reinforced concrete
340:Saunders and Lawton
320:St. James Cathedral
311:Rutherford B. Hayes
253:Stone & Webster
126: /
103:Seattle, Washington
447:
368:Graham & Myers
332:
249:Graham & Myers
149:less than one acre
1144:Media related to
560:. City of Seattle
361:The Lyon Building
257:James B. McNamara
222:
221:
202:Significant dates
1189:
1143:
1127:
1126:
1124:
1122:
1107:
1101:
1100:
1092:
1086:
1085:
1077:
1071:
1070:
1062:
1056:
1055:
1047:
1041:
1040:
1032:
1026:
1025:
1017:
1011:
1010:
1002:
996:
995:
987:
981:
980:
972:
966:
965:
957:
951:
950:
942:
936:
935:
927:
921:
920:
912:
906:
905:
897:
888:
887:
879:
873:
872:
864:
858:
857:
849:
843:
842:
834:
828:
827:
819:
813:
812:
804:
798:
797:
789:
783:
782:
774:
768:
767:
759:
750:
749:
741:
735:
734:
726:
720:
719:
711:
705:
704:
696:
690:
689:
681:
675:
674:
666:
660:
659:
651:
642:
641:
639:
637:
622:
613:
612:
605:
596:
595:
587:
570:
569:
567:
565:
554:
543:
542:
525:
468:Democratic Party
192:
164:
162:
141:
140:
138:
137:
136:
131:
127:
124:
123:
122:
119:
101:607 Third Ave.,
87:
86:
80:
64:
49:Seattle Landmark
24:
1197:
1196:
1192:
1191:
1190:
1188:
1187:
1186:
1152:
1151:
1136:
1131:
1130:
1120:
1118:
1109:
1108:
1104:
1094:
1093:
1089:
1079:
1078:
1074:
1064:
1063:
1059:
1049:
1048:
1044:
1034:
1033:
1029:
1019:
1018:
1014:
1004:
1003:
999:
989:
988:
984:
974:
973:
969:
959:
958:
954:
944:
943:
939:
929:
928:
924:
914:
913:
909:
899:
898:
891:
881:
880:
876:
866:
865:
861:
851:
850:
846:
836:
835:
831:
821:
820:
816:
806:
805:
801:
791:
790:
786:
776:
775:
771:
761:
760:
753:
743:
742:
738:
728:
727:
723:
713:
712:
708:
698:
697:
693:
683:
682:
678:
668:
667:
663:
653:
652:
645:
635:
633:
626:"Lyon Building"
624:
623:
616:
607:
606:
599:
589:
588:
573:
563:
561:
556:
555:
546:
541:. July 9, 2010.
527:
526:
522:
517:
500:
439:
401:
363:
303:
298:
218:August 16, 1996
160:
158:
134:
132:
128:
125:
120:
117:
115:
113:
112:
93:
92:
91:
90:
89:
88:
67:
51:
42:
33:
22:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1195:
1193:
1185:
1184:
1179:
1174:
1169:
1164:
1154:
1153:
1150:
1149:
1135:
1134:External links
1132:
1129:
1128:
1102:
1087:
1072:
1057:
1042:
1027:
1012:
997:
982:
967:
952:
937:
922:
907:
889:
874:
859:
844:
829:
814:
799:
784:
769:
751:
736:
721:
706:
691:
676:
661:
643:
614:
597:
571:
544:
519:
518:
516:
513:
512:
511:
506:
499:
496:
464:stock exchange
438:
435:
400:
397:
380:Chicago school
362:
359:
307:Bailey Gatzert
302:
299:
297:
294:
220:
219:
216:
212:
211:
208:
204:
203:
199:
198:
193:
186:
185:
183:Chicago school
180:
176:
175:
170:
166:
165:
155:
151:
150:
147:
143:
142:
110:
106:
105:
99:
95:
94:
82:
81:
75:
74:
73:
72:
69:
68:
65:
57:
56:
53:
52:
47:
44:
43:
38:
35:
34:
31:
28:
27:
20:
15:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1194:
1183:
1180:
1178:
1175:
1173:
1170:
1168:
1165:
1163:
1160:
1159:
1157:
1147:
1142:
1138:
1137:
1133:
1117:. King County
1116:
1112:
1106:
1103:
1099:. p. H2.
1098:
1091:
1088:
1083:
1076:
1073:
1068:
1061:
1058:
1053:
1046:
1043:
1038:
1031:
1028:
1023:
1016:
1013:
1008:
1001:
998:
993:
986:
983:
978:
971:
968:
963:
956:
953:
948:
941:
938:
933:
926:
923:
918:
911:
908:
903:
896:
894:
890:
885:
878:
875:
870:
863:
860:
855:
848:
845:
840:
833:
830:
825:
818:
815:
810:
803:
800:
795:
788:
785:
780:
773:
770:
765:
758:
756:
752:
747:
740:
737:
732:
725:
722:
717:
710:
707:
702:
695:
692:
687:
680:
677:
672:
665:
662:
657:
650:
648:
644:
631:
627:
621:
619:
615:
610:
604:
602:
598:
594:. p. 29.
593:
586:
584:
582:
580:
578:
576:
572:
559:
553:
551:
549:
545:
540:
536:
535:
530:
524:
521:
514:
510:
507:
505:
502:
501:
497:
495:
493:
488:
484:
479:
477:
471:
469:
465:
460:
456:
452:
443:
436:
434:
432:
427:
424:
419:
416:
415:Marion E. Hay
410:
407:
406:Nitroglycerin
398:
396:
393:
389:
385:
381:
377:
373:
369:
360:
357:
353:
350:
346:
341:
337:
336:Hotel Seattle
328:
324:
321:
317:
312:
308:
300:
295:
293:
291:
287:
283:
279:
275:
271:
267:
262:
258:
254:
250:
246:
242:
241:United States
238:
234:
231:
227:
226:Lyon Building
217:
213:
210:June 30, 1995
209:
207:Added to NRHP
205:
200:
197:
194:
187:
184:
181:
177:
174:
171:
167:
156:
152:
148:
144:
139:
121:122°19′54.8″W
111:
107:
104:
100:
96:
79:
70:
63:
58:
54:
50:
45:
41:
36:
32:Lyon Building
29:
25:
19:
1121:February 18,
1119:. Retrieved
1114:
1105:
1096:
1090:
1081:
1075:
1066:
1060:
1051:
1045:
1036:
1030:
1021:
1015:
1006:
1000:
991:
985:
976:
970:
961:
955:
946:
940:
931:
925:
916:
910:
901:
883:
877:
868:
862:
853:
847:
838:
832:
823:
817:
808:
802:
793:
787:
778:
772:
763:
745:
739:
730:
724:
715:
709:
700:
694:
685:
679:
670:
664:
655:
636:February 18,
634:. Retrieved
629:
591:
564:February 18,
562:. Retrieved
532:
523:
480:
472:
448:
431:Indianapolis
428:
420:
411:
402:
388:Lyon, France
364:
355:
333:
304:
225:
223:
118:47°36′10.2″N
18:
345:Vice-consul
133: /
109:Coordinates
1156:Categories
515:References
451:Patricians
384:Beaux-arts
376:terracotta
349:Dawson, YT
237:Washington
413:Governor
169:Architect
498:See also
286:homeless
230:Downtown
196:95000806
98:Location
296:History
276:of the
233:Seattle
159: (
459:cercle
154:Built
1123:2021
638:2021
630:DESC
566:2021
382:and
224:The
161:1910
157:1910
146:Area
347:at
191:No.
1158::
1113:.
892:^
754:^
646:^
628:.
617:^
600:^
574:^
547:^
537:.
531:.
239:,
235:,
1125:.
640:.
611:.
568:.
163:)
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
