This month marked the passing of two under celebrated icons of West Seattle. They could not have been more different in scores of ways; probably attributing to their individual uniqueness. One a woman, the other a man; one sort of laid back, the other a type-A personality; one operating in a close circle of friends, the other erudite mixer in the broad community. If their paths seldom crossed, they surely ran raggedly parallel. Both had a vision and a passion for the value of history in their unique communities.
Elliott Couden
Elliott Couden, 93, when he died early this month, was a resident of West Seattle. Arriving in Seattle from the east in 1936, he was a stock broker and began a career in real estate in 1941. He set up shop in the north outskirts of White Center prior to World War II. The area was rustically devoid of sidewalks or curbs, had no bank or post office and generally suffered a unenviable reputation and the unearned title, “Rat City.” Couden sold auto license plate, insurance and real estate from his office.
Doing business in an area where few geographical boundaries could exist between ethnic groups and first generation immigrants, Couden was well aware of the discrimination rampant in the availability of affordable housing. In a real estate industry locked into a strict unwritten color barrier, he was among the first to entertain purchase offers and rental applications by ethnic minorities. Couden became a passionate champion of the Fair Housing Act embodied in the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1968.
During those years, I certainly was aware of his renegade status and alienation in the real estate business, but knew him personally, only as an occasional advertiser in the West Seattle Herald. It was always a treat to call on him.
Later, I became aware of his great passion for Southwest Seattle beginnings. He joined with others anxious to assemble memorabilia, publications, post cards, letters, documents, etc. which in aggregate, would preserve the rich history of the area. Together, they organized the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, which became the instrument for developing The Log House Museum: Southwest Stevens Street and 61st Avenue Southwest.
Built as a carriage house in the early 1900s the building was converted to a residence and finally became the museum in 1997 after an arduous effort on the part of volunteers and organizers.
This is where Elliott and Doris Nelson got on parallel tracks.
Doris Nelson
The main house, a half block north on 61st was built in true pioneer log cabin style, which eventually became the Homestead Restaurant. The William J. Bernard family built and resided in the house from 1904 to 1907. It became an overnight retreat of the Seattle Driving and Auto Club until 1950 when Swend Neilson made it a restaurant and gave it the Alki Homestead handle. Adele Foote took over as proprietor five years later. She referred Doris to the Herald print shop when she sold the Homestead in 1960. Early on, Mrs. Nelson lived upstairs with her two children. She certainly added the crowning éclat which provided its world class reputation. Doris Nelson died earlier this month at 80. Her Alki Homestead had a world-wide reputation for the quality of its simple menu and unique ambiance supporting a glimpse of Seattle’s early history.
I had a pleasant relationship with Mrs. Nelson as her printer at the Herald. We provided her with stationary, business cards, menus and inserts for special holidays. The present menu cover was created in so-called “hot-metal”. The Log Cabin photo was reproduced in a type-high copperplate engraving and the restaurant title arrayed above it in a somewhat irregular arc was anchored by pouring molten Linotype metal around it. Though I continued to notice the frailties of the design through years as a customer and a co-owner of the West Seattle Business Directory, Mrs. Nelson never seemed to notice and kept it as her logo permanently.
In her will Mrs. Nelson has granted the Historical Society an option to buy the West Seattle landmark, but she was clear in her wish that it remain a restaurant. She stipulated a price of $2 million, with a substantial portion to be returned to the society for maintenance and repairs. Whether the Southwest Seattle Historical Society can raise the cash before the offer expires in 60 days remains to be seen.
If the Historical Society bows out, the Homestead will be appraised and offered for sale. Its historical landmark status does restrict future use and changes. Acknowledging the value of the building as a top-rated restaurant, it is no surprise that it already has attracted more than a little interest by potential buyers.
The Historical Society worked closely with Doris Nelson since its founding in 1984, It helped develop landmark status for the Homestead. This relationship, certainly influenced Mrs. Nelson’s offer to the society in her will.
The memory of Doris Nelson’s classy appearance capped by the unique up-do of her graying hair will never be erased. She was a gracious hostess who knew most of the local guests by name and got introductions to their relatives and business associates from all corners of the world. When I met with her at the Herald and later at West Seattle Associates in her pink car and suits, she always knew exactly what she wanted in the way of printing and advertising and we were happy to deliver it . . . on time.
My wife Betty counted on Mrs. Nelson to provide a proper backdrop for all manner of family occasions—anniversaries, graduations, birthdays and friends from out of town. They shared a love of antiques and we always enjoyed the collection which adorned the Homestead entry. I happily participated in scores of Kiwanis dinners (wives invited), marking officer installations and other events. I especially recall our celebration of the late Oscar Weber’s 104th birthday. We had lots of company. Bottom line, Doris Nelson created a symbol for West Seattle as unique as the Space Needle or the ferry Kalakala.
Some of the information herein is enthusiastically attributed to great stories written by Providence Cicero and Judy Chia Hui Hsu for the Seattle Times.
