One of the more prominent construction firms in the Seattle area in the early 20th century was Sylliaasen & Sando. Founded by Christian T. Sylliaasen and Magnus G. Sando, during their thirty-two year partnership, the firm constructed a variety of notable building across the South Sound including Immanuel Lutheran Church (1912); the Madrona Lutheran Church; the William O. McKay Ford Automobile dealership (1923); the Highland Apartments (1924); the University Temple United Methodist Church (1927) University Methodist Episcopal Church (1927); and a remodel of the University of Washington Bookstore (1930). Outside the city, the firm constructed the Grays Harbor County courthouse (1911) in Montesano; and high schools in Montesano, Chehalis, and Raymond.
Sylliaasen was born in Lillehammer, Norway on November 27, 1860, and moved to Yankton, South Dakota, around 1880, where he worked as a contractor and builder. Following 20 years of contracting experience he came to Seattle in 1901, and later that year formed a partnership with fellow Norwegian, Magnus Sando. Sylliaasen and his wife Johanna lived at 15 Ward Street on Queen Anne Hill, where they raised one daughter and four sons. Some of Sylliaasen’s children were also involved in the building trades—city directories indicate that son Melvin was a structural engineer for John Graham & Company and eventually served as the Seattle City Engineer during the 1930s. His son Oscar was an electrician; and his son Vincent became an engineer and superintendent at Pacific Telegraph & Telephone Company. Christian Sylliaasen died in Seattle in 1933.
Census records indicate that Magnus Sando was also born in Norway in 1867, and arrived in the United States in 1889, at about age 22. He married Hilda Larson in Spokane, Washington in 1896, and began raising a family. He apparently arrived in Seattle around 1900, working as a carpenter. Hilda died in 1918 at age 40, leaving six children for Magnus to raise. At some point after 1920, he married his second wife, Olga. They resided at 2833 Broadway Avenue N., and had a seventh child. Magnus was a member of the Sons of Norway and died in Seattle in May of 1938.
