In the late 1990s developer and educator Don Logan purchased what he describes as "the first house on Capitol Hill coming up from downtown." His generous restoration of this now landmark home was dear to both his heart and wallet.
	COURTESY OF WASHINGTON STATE ARCHIVE
	COURTESY OF CHAD BROWN

Fittingly, the University of Washington graduate taught history and economics. The latter interest had him prudently investing in local real estate in his 20s. The former enthusiasm had him taking on the Tacky Tavern and the neglected McDonald home behind it. Logan bought the property at 1708 Bellevue Ave. because he needed some parking for a nearby apartment house he owned. Soon, however, he was smitten, and the thrill of restoration "just took off like topsy. I'm out of control. My son (an accountant) thinks I'm crazy!"

Arthur McDonald built the home in 1899. In the 1920s the family added a storefront on the sidewalk for their clothes-pressing business. After Prohibition in the 1930s, the McDonalds moved the cleaners into the basement of the home and opened the Olive Way Dinette Beer Parlor in the storefront. Logan notes, "You could get a beer and have your shirt pressed at the same time."

The last tavern there was the notorious Tacky. It was closed only months before Logan bought the property in 1998. Soon after, with the help of architect Paul Aiello, the history teacher began his imaginative restoration. For the tower, Logan decided to swallow the expense of adding windows. "As a kid I always fantasized the 'Little People' being up in the turrets," he explained to Aiello. "The 'Little People' need a window."

Vol. 1 and Vol. 3 of Paul Dorpat's books, "Seattle Now & Then," are $19.95 each from Tartu Publications, P.O. Box 85208, Seattle, WA 98145.