Location: [[1146 ELK]] STREET (State) #Commercial Era: 1901/present Style: 2-story MASONRY ___ See also [[Briggs Second Block]] built on the other side of [[Excelsior Dye Works]] building # SANBORN REVIEW: [[Sanborn 1904]]: two story brick, two skylight boxes, (1146) [[Sanborn 1913]]: UNDERTAKER (1146) [[Sanborn 1930]]: SHOP (1146) [[Sanborn 1950]]: SHOP (1146) # DIRECTORY REVIEW: ([[POLK 1900]]: unlisted) ([[POLK 1901]]: [[Wilson & Briggs]], [[1146 ELK]]) ([[POLK 1905]]: [[Frank Briggs' Piano Co|Briggs Piano Co]], [[1146 ELK]]) [[POLK 1915]]: [[A. G. Wickman|WICKMAN ANDERS G]] (HULDA), Undertaker and Funeral Director, Undertaking Parlors and Chapel [[1146 ELK]], Tel 254, h 1144.5 Elk) ([[POLK 1927]]: Mark Homer Mortuary, [[1146 ELK]]) # NEWS AND LITERATURE REVIEW: Visible in [[1902 Hann Panorama]] (gb0644.2) “He was also a student in the high school of Aberdeen, South Dakota, but at the age of sixteen years put aside his textbooks and came to Whatcom, where he entered upon his business career in the employ of R. I. Morse, a hardware merchant, for whom he acted as a salesman until 1901. He then turned his attention to the piano business, entering into partnership with E. I. Wilson, under the firm name of the [[Wilson & Briggs]] Music Company. They established their store at [[1146 ELK]] street and entered upon a successful career. The following year Mr. Briggs purchased his partner's business, and has since continued the business under the name of the Briggs Piano Company. He now has a well equipped establishment, carrying a fine line of pianos and other musical instruments, together with musical specialties, and his patronage has increased until it has now assumed profitable proportions. While in the employ of Mr. Morse Mr. Briggs saved his earnings and made investments in real estate in Whatcom and also in Everett. He erected three modern residences in this place, and has thus contributed to the improvement of the city as well as to his individual prosperity. In business circles he is held in the highest esteem by all with whom he has come in contact, and he maintains a high credit standing with the eastern manufacturers, among whom he is known as a large buyer and an entirely reliable business man. He also holds extensive interests in mining prospects at Mount Baker, at Stalie creek and in the Mathew country districts.” (page 330, [[1903 HISTORY OF THE PUGET SOUND COUNTRY]].) ([[2014 NRHP Registration form “Downtown Bellingham Historic District”]]: Cultural: 1146 N. State St. first housed [[Frank Briggs' Piano Co]]. from 1901 - ca.1906. Then follow undertakers, embalmers & funeral directors (various combinations of Bingham, Stokes, [[Wickman]], Whitfield and Mark) from 1908-1927. The next listing found was the Foursquare Gospel Church 1932-1936; then the Parker Tent & Awning Co from 1939-1945; the Johnson-Squires Tire Co, dealers, in 1947; and Bargreen & Von Bargen, restaurant equipment from 1948-1952. After a vacancy from 1954-1955, the building was occupied by the Bob Martin photography studio from 1956-1963+. 1144 1⁄2 N State St. began as a residence before 1901, then furnished rooms from 1903-1917, and housed short term single occupants from 1931-1963+. 1144 N State St. had up to four apartments listed from 1948-1963+.” (Downtown Bellingham Historic District, 2014, page 62) ___ [[©2026 NEW WHATCOM PRESS]]