House constructed by Long Building Company, Seattle, circa 1920 (MOHAI 13182)

J. Stanley Long (1883-1959) was a contractor who built homes in Seattle neighborhoods for more than 50 years. Born in Ohio, Long studied law in Chicago, and moved to Seattle in 1906. In Seattle, rather than practicing law, Long focused his energies on the growth potential of the local housing market.
Long built and sold his first house in 1906. In the 1910s his business, Long Building Company, developed residential neighborhoods on Seattle's First Hill, building bungalow-style Craftsman homes popular at the time. In the 1920s, Long adapted to the changing taste for revival styles; in 1926, hundreds came to the open house for "Victoria Village," 25 Tudor and French-Norman style homes built by Long in the Montlake neighborhood, on what is now E. Blaine Street between 19th Avenue E. and 22nd Avenue E. In a 1927 project sponsored by the Seattle Times and Home Owners Institute, Inc., Long built a "Master Modern Home" on Lake Washington Boulevard near 24th Avenue North, part of the "Varsity Villa" group of eight houses developed by Long in the neighborhood, and built in English and Spanish styles. Long also built the Blackstone Apartments, opening at 222 Summit Avenue in the Capitol Hill neighborhood in 1927, and the Fairhome apartments at 615 14th Avenue North in 1928.
Long continued to be active as a builder until 1956. Long was also active in many local professional and civic organizations. He was a longtime member and director of the National Association of Home Builders, president of the Seattle Master Builders' Association, member of the board of directors of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce, president of the Rotary Club, and a trustee of Seattle General Hospital.

This photograph is part of an album depicting houses built by the Long Building Company in the early 20th century.
Handwritten in top left corner: #46
Embossed with photographer's stamp in lower left corner, probably for Lorin B. (L. B.) Waters

Caption information sources: Long, Stanley (1883-1959) by John Caldbick, HistoryLink.org Essay 9081; "Victoria Village Attracts, Crowds View Modern Homes," Seattle Daily Times, August 27, 1926, p. 30.; "Varsity Villas to be Sold by Agents," Seattle Daily Times, January 8, 1928, p. 31.
Subjects (LCTGM): Building construction--Washington (State)--Seattle; Houses--Washington (State)--Seattle; Real estate development--Washington (State)--Seattle