In the late 19th century, Smith Cove was being developed as an extension of Seattle’s port facilities. This continued into the new century with the construction of the Great Northern Railroad terminus in the Interbay area and other buildings nearby. On February 1, 1902, plans were filed with the Seattle Building Inspector for a two-story machine shop to be built of brick and to be known as the N & S Electric Company. It was at the western base of Queen Anne Hill, across from the railway terminus, on what is now 15th Avenue West.

This image shows a group of workmen across the street from the new N & S Electric Company and the Proctor Boat Company at the site of the N & S Landing. A blurred Ballard Line streetcar can be seen leaving the right side of the picture.

Caption information source: “Brief News of the City”, Seattle Post-Intelligencer (published as The Seattle Post-Intelligencer), February 2, 1902, page 8.
Caption information source: Polk’s Seattle City Directories, 1902 – 1910.