Historical Sites
Old Kirkland on Market Street
This cluster of brick buildings formed Kirkland's commercial district at the turn of the last century.
Architecturally striking, they stand as monuments to Kirkland's birth as a city and to its founders who had hopes of great prosperity for the area.
These buildings were located about a half-mile from the center of town because the Kirkland Land and Improvement Company, whose founders wanted to transform Kirkland into the “Pittsburgh of the West,” withheld all property near the lake from sale in order to make the land beyond more valuable.
Peter Kirk Building, 1891
620 Market Street (formerly called Piccadilly)
This is the only surviving building directly linked to City Founder Peter Kirk, whose office was located on the second floor. The Peter Kirk building is a highly distinctive and well-preserved example of picturesque Victorian era commercial design.
The Kirkland Art Center and Gallery now makes its home here offering classes and innovative art shows. Visit the Kirkland Arts Center.
Sears Building, 1891
701 Market Street
Named after Joshua Sears, this Italianate building was designed to house a bank that could handle the large payrolls expected at the steel mill. But the mill failed before the bank even opened. Joshua Sears was a Boston banker who had invested heavily in both the land company and the steel works.
Heritage Hall Building
Corner of Market Street and Lake Avenue West
This Greek Revival building was built in 1922 as a church and converted to office use in 1968. It is now the home of the Kirkland Heritage Society where a time capsule donated by the Kirkland Woman's Club includes early photographs of the building, city copies of handwritten documents on church history and the building's chronology. The hall is also available for rent.
Campbell Building, 1891
700 Market Street
A grocery store originally opened in this beautiful Italianate building. It later became the Kirkland Masonic Temple in 1922.