The Daylight Building, located at 1201-1213 N. State St, is a historical building located in Bellingham, Washington.
Daylight Building | |
  | |
| Location | 1201-1213 N. State St Bellingham, Washington |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 48°44′59″N 122°28′43″W / 48.74972°N 122.47861°W |
| Built | 1904 |
| Architect | Frank C. Burns |
| Architectural style | Revivalism |
| NRHP reference No. | 04001370 |
| Added to NRHP | December 15, 2004 |
History
editIt was designed by local architect Frank C. Burns and was completed in 1904. The exterior of the building was built out of sandstone and brick.[1]
Some early tenants of the building included a dressmaker, a dry goods store, a lawyer, a real estate agent, and a music school.[2][3][4]
From 1910 to 1926, the Union Printing company had its headquarters in the building.[5][6]
In early 1928, a Montgomery Ward branch opened in the building.[7] In July 1928, a large fire broke out on the basement of the building and damaged much of the stock of Montgomery Ward. Several apartments were also destroyed. The origins of the fire were undetermined.[8] The store reopened in September 1928 after repairs.[9] In December of the same year, an arsonist attempted to set fire to the building again.[10]
On December 13, 1933, 34-year-old man named Herbert E. Myers was found fatally stabbed at the entrance of the building. He died of his would en route to the hospital. The suspect was described as a large man who was previously seen arguing with Myers near a telephone booth. The case eventually went cold and no one was charged with Myers' murder.[11][12]
In 1944, the building was sold to N. A. Buchinoff, then owner of the Bellingham Upholstering Company.[13]
In June 1999, a thrift store named the Old Town Christian Ministries Thrift Store opened in the basement of the building.[14] The thrift store later closed in May 2003.[15]
In 2003, the basement level of the building was remodeled and a restaurant and live music venue named Nightlight Lounge was later opened.[16] The venue frequently held live music events, such as Chris Whitley, Johnathan Richman, The Thermals, and Canadian band Cuff The Duke in 2004.[17][18][19][20] The Nightlight Lounge closed permanently in 2010 due to failure to pay taxes.[21] In 2011, a nightclub named The Underground opened in the basement space.[22] The Underground closed it doors permanently on August 25, 2024, and is slated to be rebranded as a venue named Bar 211 under the same owners.[23]
The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 15, 2004.[24]
In May 2011, significant damage was done to Pel Meni restaurant, located on the ground floor of the building. The fire caused the evacuation of several apartments and businesses. The estimated damage was over $20,000.[25] Pel Meni later reopened and continues to operate.
References
edit- ^ "Daylight Building". City of Bellingham. City of Bellingham. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
- ^ "Dressmaking Parlor Moved," The Bellingham Herald, February 1, 1905, pg 3.
- ^ "Have Secured Larger Quarters," The Bellingham Herald, November 17, 1904, pg 4.
- ^ The Bellingham Herald, January 4, 1905, pg 5.
- ^ "Offices Will be in Daylight Block," The Bellingham Herald, May 31, 1910, pg 1.
- ^ "Building Occupied," The Bellingham Herald, July 19, 1926, pg 4.
- ^ "Branch Will Open," The Bellingham Herald, December 13, 1927, pg 10.
- ^ "Daylight Building Will Be Repaired; Estimate $14,000," The Bellingham Herald, July 24, 1928, pg 12.
- ^ "Hundreds Visit Montgomery Ward & Co.'s Premises," The Bellingham Herald, September 15, 1928, pg 9.
- ^ "Store Guarded All Night By Police," The Bellingham Herald, December 14, 1928, pg 1.
- ^ "Myers' Murder May Go Down In City History as "Perfect Slaying," The Bellingham Herald, November 27, 1934, pg 10.
- ^ "Police Obtain New Clues in Probe," The Bellingham Herald, December 15, 1933, pg 1.
- ^ Daylight Building Sale Announced," The Bellingham Herald, August 21, 1944, pg 5.
- ^ "Thrift Store grand re-opening," The Bellingham Herald, January 22, 1999, pg 6.
- ^ The Bellingham Herald, May 16, 2003, pg 34.
- ^ Stasiek, Tony "Daylight adds Nightlight," The Bellingham Herald, October 12, 2003, pg 55.
- ^ Stasiek, Tony "Change'll do you good," The Bellingham Herald, October 14, 2004, pg 39.
- ^ The Bellingham Herald, October 21, 2004, pg 36.
- ^ The Bellingham Herald, October 24, 2004, pg 15.
- ^ Stasiek, Tony "Eccentric Singer Johnathan Richman Plays the Nightlight," The Bellingham Herald, December 9, 2004, pg 31.
- ^ Fraley, Zoe "Wild Buffalo picks up shows from Nightlight," The Bellingham Herald, March 5, 2010, pg A2.
- ^ "Nightclub Coming to Downtown Bellingham," The Bellingham Herald, September 18, 2011, pg C1.
- ^ Smith, Alyse. "Bellingham's Underground Nightclub announces closure after 13 years of business". The Bellingham Herald. McClatchy Media Network. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
- ^ "Daylight Building". National Park Service. U.S Department of the Interior. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
- ^ Dills, Isabelle "Apartment residents escape safely," The Bellingham Herald, May 11, 2011, pg A1.