In January 1889 , John Parkinson moved to Seattle , where he opened his first architectural practice after failing to secure a position as a draftsman . In March he entered a partnership with Cecil Evers , but this ended little more than a year later . Parkinson 's early projects included the Olympia Hotel , Olympia ( 1889 ; destroyed ) , the Calkins Hotel , Mercer Island ( 1889 ; destroyed ) , and several residences . After the Great Seattle Fire of 6 June 1889 , he secured several important business blocks , the Butler Block ( 1889 – 90 ; altered ) , and the Seattle First National Bank Building , later called the Interurban Building ( 1890 – 92 ) , an exemplary work of Romanesque Revival architecture
Great Seattle Fire
Great Seattle Fire
John and Donald Parkinson