Parsons, William, House
historic place
The William Parsons House, also known as the Harvard Mansion, is a historic place located on Harvard Avenue East in Seattle's King County. This Neoclassical style house was constructed in 1903 by contractor Edward Duhamel. When completed, it was a prominent landmark on the north end of Capitol Hill. William Parsons, a leading financier in the Pacific Northwest, purchased the house in 1909. He lived here until 1935. Parsons was instrumental in establishing the Washington-Alaska Bank in Fairbanks during the Gold Rush. He later organized the largest financial institution in the region, the Seattle-First National Bank, becoming its chairman. The house was designated a City of Seattle landmark in 1990 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. It remains a significant example of early 20th-century residential architecture and reflects William Parsons' important contributions to regional finance.