Mysterious Builder of Seattle Landmarks: Searching for My Father

by Paula Pederson, Wendy Wiley

After decades of believing her mother's tale that Danishimmigrant Hans Pederson left them penniless, author PaulaPederson Palmer uncovers the truth about her father's wealth andprolific contributions to Seattle, Washington. This historicalmemoir dispels the author's fear that she was a bastard child, butreveals her birth as the result of a scandalous liaison betweenterminally ill, recently widowed, Hans and his nurse 42 yearsyounger. Paula's mother was that young Ukrainian nurse fromCanada who inherited Pederson's estate when he died the yearafter they wed. Paula was one month old. The outraged familysued, resulting in a record-breaking 20-year lawsuit. Her coming of-age journey begins in Seattle then travels to Singapore,Shanghai, Honolulu, New York, New Jersey, and finally to Maine where she raised 5 children. She now spends winters in North Carolina.“Paula’s depictions of her mother and others is nuanced and complex; she allows the reader, who grows indignant toward their behavior, to also understand and sympathize with them. Finally, the larger story of immigrants reads familiar with so many of us...”CRAIG DIETRICH, People’s A Brief History“...like a long, newsy letter from a friend...precisely what makesthis book so charming and exceptional, and such an addictiveread. Dismissed by her mother as ‘a struggling young architect’killed in a car accident ‘left us penniless in the middle of the GreatDepression,’ Domka Huculak kept the identity of who fathered herdaughter a secret for 60 years until, at age 92, she finallydisclosed the truth. This revelation catapulted Paula on anincredible quest that not only would change her life, but changehow she would come to see herself. He was Hans Pederson, oneof the leading contractors in the American Northwest, whose farreachingvision left a distinctive imprint. But it is the author weget to know best in a story that begins in Shanghai and ends inMaine.”LAURIE BOGART MORROW, authorThe Hardscrabble Chronicles"Paula Pederson’s discoveries about her father Hans have filled an important gap in regional architectural history knowledge by revealing her father’s many accomplishments in the Pacific Northwest. The publication provides a partial list of a remarkable range and variety of buildings and infrastructure projects that he undertook during a long and successful career—commerce and institutions, hotels, theaters, apartments, schools, bridges and piers. Many of them are still standing, and that reflects on the knowledge and management skills of this prolific contractor.LARRY KREISMAN, Program Director, Historic Seattle

332 pages, Paperback

Published October 4, 2017

About the author

My memoir, MYSTERIOUS BUILDER OF SEATTLE LANDMARKS: Searching for My Father, was published in 2017 and I'm happy to say it's available on Amazon, Kindle, Ingram Spark, Baker & Taylor, Kobo and where books are sold.
Consumed with curiosity, the quest to find my father in spite of my mother's reticence became a passion later in life. After decades of believing my mother's tale that Danish immigrant Hans Pederson left us penniless, I uncovered the truth about my father's wealth and prolific contributions to Seattle. In the book, I discover my mysterious father's boom to bust life in the early 1900's, as I grapple with family secrets and heart-breaking deception.
My fiction and nonfiction writing includes two unpublished novels, this memoir and a weekly blog. I formerly enjoyed technical writing and editing posts pertaining to medical, environmental, and engineering issues. Earlier years included development work for schools and handicapped children. I graduated from Smith College with a degree in English Literature and spent one glorious summer as a seaside gardener in a resort on the coast of Maine.
I write about immigrants and pioneers who came by train to Northwestern North America, expatriates to the Far East, and my love for Maine. I believe fragments of the past help us to understand who we are. Hunting for my father's legacy and writing MYSTERIOUS BUILDER OF SEATTLE LANDMARKS: Searching for My Father, has shown me the timeless imprint family leaves on husbands, wives, daughters, sons, and grandchildren.
I started my life journey in Seattle, Washington, but have lived in Singapore, Shanghai, Honolulu, New York, New Jersey, Maine and North Carolina.

Reviews

[Ann Campanella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A historical memoir of sweeping scope!
Mysterious Builder of Seattle Landmarks: Searching for My Father is a fascinating story of Paula Pederson's quest to learn more about her father, who died scarcely a month after Paula was born. For unknown reasons, Paula's mother, who was decades younger than her husband, kept the truth about Hans Pederson from Paula. The author unravels the historical mystery of her father in mesmerizing prose allowing the reader to experience the journey of discovery along with her. I was captivated by this story!

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

At times intriguing. At times I was distracted by some of the editing/grammar errors. Ended a bit abruptly.

[Karen Imboden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lifetime Quest

Paula's obsession to learn about her biological father yields tons of information about him as well as her mother and their parents. Content is interesting and informative. Kindle book needs ability to move from chapters to table of contents and back.