Whispers of yesteryear linger within these log walls. This is the Alki Homestead. It stands as one of Seattle’s three surviving log structures all located in West Seattle.
Let’s step back to 1903. Soap magnate William J. Bernard commissioned Fred L. Fehren to build a country retreat. The result was Fir Lodge a testament to rustic elegance crafted from Douglas fir logs.
Imagine driving to West Seattle from downtown Seattle back then. It was a two-day adventure in those new-fangled automobiles. Finding Alki Beach too remote Bernard sold Fir Lodge to the Seattle Auto Club in 1907. It became their first clubhouse until 1911.
The building transitioned through various roles. It served as a residence a boarding house and even an antique store. Then in 1950 the Alki Homestead Restaurant was established here.
Designated a Seattle historical landmark in 1995 the Alki Homestead faced a devastating fire in 2009. Ten years of uncertainty followed. In 2014 Mercer Island real estate investor Dennis Schilling purchased the building. Restoration was completed and in 2019 it reopened as Il Nido a delightful Italian restaurant.
But before Il Nido there was Doris Nelson. She ran the Homestead turning it into a beloved family destination. People remember the old-fashioned dining room decorated with antiques. The simple down-home cooking was served family style. Fried chicken became a legend here.
The Alki Homestead became more than just a restaurant. It was a repository of memories. Locals recall the cozy atmosphere that transported them to simpler times. Even as Alki modernized the Homestead remained a steadfast reminder of Seattle’s past.
Strange tales have swirled around the Alki Homestead. Some employees spoke of otherworldly experiences even before the fire. The scent of a woman’s perfume would appear. Doors seemed to move on their own. Chairs rearranged themselves overnight. Some believed Doris Nelson’s spirit lingered. Others attributed the strange events to the Duwamish Tribe whose land was taken by settlers.
In 2013 paranormal investigators armed with high-tech equipment explored the Homestead. They sought the spirits that might roam its interior.
One investigator recounted hearing loud footsteps upstairs when no one was there. Another time a muffled feminine voice was recorded saying sick. Some say the building emits abnormal electromagnetic field readings.
The Alki Homestead isn’t just a building. It is a vessel of stories. It is a testament to Seattle’s evolving identity. It is a place where the past whispers to the present.