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Summary for 1708 22nd AVE / Parcel ID 1822300155 / Inv #

Historic Name: Kreyscher/Edgell House Common Name:
Style: Vernacular Neighborhood: Mount Baker
Built By: Year Built: 1905
 
Significance
In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance.
The Kreyscher/Edgell House was constructed in 1905. William H. Kreyscher (b. ca 1866), born and raised in Pennsylvania by German parents, married Ann (b. 1858) about 1895. Ann, the daughter of German immigrants, also was born and lived until adulthood in Pennsylvania. They arrived in Seattle about 1900 with their four year old daughter, also called Ann. Architect and builder, Kreyscher was drawn to Seattle by its booming real estate market. Although he took commissions to design residences, Kreyscher devoted most of his time purchasing vacant land, building homes, and selling them to the influx of newcomers. During late winter of 1904-1905, he purchased four lots and on April 6 acquired a building permit (# 34095) to build "4 - 1 story frame Cottages," each measuring 24 x 36 feet. He went right to work. Apparently during construction, Kreyscher decided to increase the size of the residences. By July, he completed the houses, which had increased in size to 24 x 48 feet. Kreyscher continued constructing Seattle houses for another year when he sold his business and moved out of town. Kreyscher apparently sold the house to real estate agent Harvey J. Edgell who rented it. In 1910, two families lived in the house. Newlyweds Robert (b. ca 1872) and Hulda (b. ca 1871) Paterson who, in 1893, both immigrated to the United States, met and by 1909 had married and moved to Seattle. The other family, the Augustines with their newborn daughter were the other family living in the house. Henry Augustine, and his wife Hannah were also Swedes who had immigrated to the States in 1902 and married in 1909. Robert Paterson worked in a meat packing plant and Henry Augustine, a machinist, worked in a shipyard. In 1911, Edgell sold the house to Italian Tomasso 'Thomas' Scalzo (b. ca 1872). In 1905 he arrived in the United States. Two years later, Florence (b. ca 1895) immigrated from the same country and they soon met and married. The year they moved into the house Florence gave birth to their first child, Emma. By 1920, their household increased to five with the arrival of Joe (b. 1912) and Victor (b. 1920). At the time they moved into the house, Scalzo clerked for wholesaler Magnano & Company which continued for four years. For a year he was a teamster. In 1916, he established himself as a sewer contractor, which continued until he sold the house. In 1925 John Franzini purchased the house from Scalzo. The residence appears to meet City of Seattle Landmark criteria due to the age of the structure (about 100 years old), and minimal alterations. The two similar adjacent vernacular houses, designed and built by the same architect makes for a unique group of residences from this period.
 
Appearance
The Kreyscher/Edgell House has a hip roof with a hip dormer on the west elevation. The full width recessed porch with heavy posts supporting the roof on the west elevation. A three sided bay window is located on the south elevation. In 1913 the house was raised five feet for a foundation and basement. The house was reclad with shingles.

Detail for 1708 22nd AVE / Parcel ID 1822300155 / Inv #

Status:
Classication: District Status:
Cladding(s): Shingle Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured
Roof Type(s): Hip Roof Material(s): Asphalt/Composition
Building Type: Domestic - Single Family Plan: Rectangular
Structural System: Balloon Frame/Platform Frame No. of Stories: one
Unit Theme(s): Architecture/Landscape Architecture
Integrity
Changes to Original Cladding: Extensive
Changes to Plan: Intact
Changes to Windows: Intact
Major Bibliographic References
City of Seattle DCLU Microfilm Records.
King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives.
Polk's Seattle Directories, 1890-1996.

Photo collection for 1708 22nd AVE / Parcel ID 1822300155 / Inv #


Photo taken Jun 05, 2005
App v2.0.1.0