Captain William Rankin Ballard (August 12, 1847 – February 4, 1929) was a Seattle pioneer, banker,[1] and land developer.[2] He was one of the founders of the city of Ballard, Washington (incorporated in 1890) which was later annexed to the growing city of Seattle, Washington in 1907.[3] As acting manager of the Seattle National Bank in the early 1890s, he facilitated the construction of what is now known as the Interurban Building in the Pioneer Square neighborhood.[4]
William Rankin Ballard was born to Levi Ward Ballard (founder of Auburn, Washington[5]) and Phoebe Anne McConnell[6] August 12, 1847. He married Estella Thorndike on November 12, 1882 in Seattle,[6] and died in Seattle February 4, 1929.
The title Captain derives from his command of the boat Zephyr[7] that operated between Seattle and Olympia to the south.
Ballard High School was named for Capt. Ballard.
References
^An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, Hines, Rev. H.K., pp.453–454, accessed November 1, 2008
^Ballard Avenue, Department of Neighborhoods, Seattle, Washington. Accessed May 23, 2008.
^History of Ballard, Ballard Chamber of Commerce.Accessed online May 23, 2008.
^"Seattle National Bank: A Strong Financial Institution Open for Business". The Seattle Post-Intelligencer. February 19, 1890. Retrieved March 10, 2021 – via Chronicling America.
^Auburn beginnings: Slaughter Post Office opens on January 21, 1867, HistoryLink.org, Accessed November 1, 2008
^ abBALLARD-L Archives, Rootsweb. Accessed online May 23, 2008.
^Walt Crowley, Seattle Neighborhoods: Ballard – Thumbnail History, HistoryLink, March 31, 1999. Accessed online May 23, 2008.
