2153henryjamesWondrous, Moist, Ethereal Wildness. These were British author Henry James’ exact words after visiting Seattle in 1905, the same year that this dear cottage was built. The home has witnessed Seattle’s humble beginnings and watched the town grow into the great city that it is today. Those beginnings were not lost on the author of The Bostonians and Portrait of a Lady, who famously visited Queen Anne that year, perhaps even strolling past this brand new well-built home while visiting his nephew, Edward Holton James. Edward lived on the west side of the hill, in the original home at 1425 Willard Ave West, just 5 blocks or a 4-minute stroll from this darling cottage.
What did Henry James think of Seattle? On March 12, 1906, he wrote to his nephew Edward James, with his impressions:

“Of Seattle I remember most tenderly your verandah and its view, and the sense of your wondrous moist, ethereal wildness; and then the dear little kindly lodging clubs; and the exquisite impression of the mystic lake in the hills, with the woods and the club-houses hanging over it.”

2153-sketchWe believe “lodging clubs” refers to the University Club at 1104 Boren Avenue, where James most likely stayed, and the “mystic lake” is perhaps Lake Union. After returning to England, James wrote The American Scene (1907) about the Eastern United States. Unfortunately, Henry James died before he could finish his novel on the Western United States, but who knows? With all this inspiration, perhaps the next Great American Novel will be written in the den at 2153 8th Avenue West. This wonderful home is waiting for you to continue the story in your own way.