Last updated: June 18, 2024
Place
J.H. Ballinger Estate
Olmsted Archives
Quick Facts
Location:
Seattle, WA
Significance:
Olmsted Designed Estate
OPEN TO PUBLIC:
No
J.H. Ballinger’s garden, known as Belfagio, is one of the best preserved Olmsted Brothers landscapes in Washington’s The Highlands neighborhood. Inspired by Italian hillside gardens, Olmsted Brothers partner James Frederick Dawson used strong axes and sloping vistas to capture the hillside.
Ballinger’s wife Alma took great interest in the design, writing to Dawson in April 1920 that “We are all working for the “finished whole” and your interest in the house as well as the grounds is very much appreciated.” The design would end up fulfilling Alma’s wishes, with perennial borders and shrub-lined lawns.
Dawson struggled with the landscape plan due to the property’s steep topography, draining issues, unrealistic expectations for access and the expanding size of the home on only 2.5 acres. Dawson had to adjust his layout several times to fit all the elements. Today the fountain vista is intact, though overgrown. Views of the on-site gardens and distant Puget Sound are still memorable.
Source: "J.H. Ballinger," Olmsted Online
For more information and primary resources, please visit:
Olmsted Research Guide Online
Olmsted Archives on Flickr
Ballinger’s wife Alma took great interest in the design, writing to Dawson in April 1920 that “We are all working for the “finished whole” and your interest in the house as well as the grounds is very much appreciated.” The design would end up fulfilling Alma’s wishes, with perennial borders and shrub-lined lawns.
Dawson struggled with the landscape plan due to the property’s steep topography, draining issues, unrealistic expectations for access and the expanding size of the home on only 2.5 acres. Dawson had to adjust his layout several times to fit all the elements. Today the fountain vista is intact, though overgrown. Views of the on-site gardens and distant Puget Sound are still memorable.
Source: "J.H. Ballinger," Olmsted Online
For more information and primary resources, please visit:
Olmsted Research Guide Online
Olmsted Archives on Flickr