Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 2327 N 54th ST N / Parcel ID 9550203410 / Inv #

Historic Name: Common Name: Style: Arts & Crafts - Craftsman, Colonial Neighborhood: Wallingford Built By: Year Built: 1922   Significance This house was built in 1921-22. Construction was completed utilizing “day work” under the direction of the owners, Theodor and Belle Omdal. The designer of the structure is not known. The detached garage was added to the site in 1922, according to the permit record. The building is significant because it has survived nearly intact and exemplifies the eclectic approach to detailing of North End bungalows in the boom years following the First World War.   Appearance This building is a one story, clapboard clad frame residence on a concrete foundation over a full basement. The timber trellis at the entry might be described as a craftsman element, and the hipped roof and ganged double hung windows are not elements that would be considered highly unusual on a craftsman style structure; however, the colonial character of this small house is established by the Tuscan column supporting the northeast corner of the entry trellis, the enclosed roof overhangs, the half circle attic window in the front gable, and the cornice returns that make the front gable into a type of pediment. The front gable marks a wing of the structure that projects toward the street from the western half of the north elevation. A window group consisting four double hung units is centered in the street side of this wing. Each unit includes an upper sash divided into six lights (2 x 3) and an undivided lower sash of the same size. Three similar windows are grouped together in the north elevation at the front porch, to the east of the projecting wing,, although the upper sash of each of these units is divided into four lights rather than six. (These latter units may have replaced windows configured to match the units at the projecting wing.) Two single units of the same height and width are asymmetrically situated on the east elevation with two smaller windows. A chimney stands along the west elevation near the northwest corner of the house; its cap has been modified slightly in recent years but it otherwise appears unaltered. Flanking the chimney are two double-hung windows the same height to those at the north elevation. The upper sash of each of these units is divided into eight lights (2 x 4); the lower sash is undivided. Three similar windows are assembled in one opening near the center of the west façade. Further to the south, a gabled bay projects from the southwest corner of the building. The gable is similar in configuration to that facing the street, although unlike the wing projecting to the north, the bay at the west elevation appears to be supported by large knee braces attached to the foundation. A single double hung window, similar to the others at the west elevation, is centered in the west wall of the bay but is mounted high in the wall so that nearly half its height extends above the cornice returns and into the gable. It is not clear if this structure is an original feature of the house or a later modification. The deck at the back of the house, and the kitchen were altered and improvements made to the foundation by the current owner in 2002-03. In addition, it appears that a chimney has been removed from the back of the house, a metal rail has been added at the entry, and at least one window has been added to the basement. Despite these changes, no significant modifications to the structure are immediately apparent from the street.

Detail for 2327 N 54th ST N / Parcel ID 9550203410 / Inv #

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: Cladding(s): Brick, Wood, Wood - Clapboard Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured Roof Type(s): Gable, Hip Roof Material(s): Asphalt/Composition-Shingle Building Type: Domestic - Single Family Plan: Rectangular Structural System: Balloon Frame/Platform Frame No. of Stories: one Unit Theme(s): Architecture/Landscape Architecture, Community Planning/Development Integrity Changes to Plan: Slight Changes to Windows: Intact Changes to Original Cladding: Intact Major Bibliographic References City of Seattle DCLU Microfilm Records. King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives.

Photo collection for 2327 N 54th ST N / Parcel ID 9550203410 / Inv #

Photo taken Sep 21, 2004