Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 2337 19th AVE / Parcel ID 9122000665 / Inv #

Historic Name: Common Name: Style: Vernacular Neighborhood: Beacon Hill Built By: Year Built: 1928   Significance In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance. Begun in 1928 and finished in 1935, this building was owned by Victor Matheson. Nelson F. and Marguerte E. Smyth moved into the residence in 1931. Mr. Smyth worked as a tile setter. The Smyth's remained in the residence through 1954. In 1943, Robert Oliver lived in 2337-1/2. By 1958, John K. Wong lived in the building. Beacon Hill is a long north-south tending ridge located southeast of downtown Seattle and stands 350 feet at its highest point. The hill’s steep topography deterred substantial Euro-American settlement through the early 1880s. Then, development of the area was stimulated by the introduction of streetcar lines in the 1890s, its proximity to Seattle’s main industrial area to the west, and the regrading of the hill’s north end in the early 1900s. Originally acquired by the City in 1898, Jefferson Park was integrated into Seattle’s Olmsted system of parks, and the Olmsted Brothers prepared a plan for the park in 1912. The first public golf course west of the Mississippi opened at Jefferson Park in 1915. Jefferson Park has exerted a profound positive influence on the development of the Beacon Hill neighborhood. Because of its proximity to the International District, Japanese and Chinese families moved to Beacon Hill starting in the 1920s. World War I and II stimulated a surge in housing development associated with wartime industry. The construction of Interstate 5 in the 1960s and Interstate 90 in the 1980s sliced through the neighborhoods and contributed to Beacon Hill’s relative isolation. Today, Beacon Hill is an ethnically diverse working class community, which has a mixed Asian, Chicano, African American, and Caucasian population.   Appearance Built in 1928, this Tudor Revival style, single-family dwelling stands on a rectangular lot. The building is oriented to Nineteenth Avenue South on a sloping site above street level. This 983 square foot, one-and-a-half story house with a full daylight basement features a nearly square plan, measuring approximately 34’ by 32’, with a small front stoop. A poured concrete foundation supports the wood frame, brick-clad superstructure. Herringbone pattern brickwork accents the gable end. Asphalt composition roofing covers the gable front and wing roof. Nearly flush gables and eaves with prominent rake trim and an upturned eave over the stoop define the roofline. Wood sash multiple-pane windows provide day lighting. A short flight of stairs leads to the front stoop. An exterior gable end brick chimney services the building. Its intact state and herringbone patterned brickwork set this building apart as a distinct example within the Beacon Hill neighborhood.

Detail for 2337 19th AVE / Parcel ID 9122000665 / Inv #

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: Cladding(s): Brick Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured Roof Type(s): Gable Roof Material(s): Clay Tile Building Type: Domestic - Single Family Plan: Rectangular Structural System: Balloon Frame/Platform Frame No. of Stories: two Unit Theme(s): Integrity Changes to Original Cladding: Intact Changes to Windows: Intact Changes to Plan: 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. City of Seattle. Survey of City-Owned Historic Resources. Prepared by Cathy Wickwire, Seattle, 2001. Forms for Ravenna Park structures. Tobin, Caroline. (2004) "Beacon Hill Historic Context Statement."

Photo collection for 2337 19th AVE / Parcel ID 9122000665 / Inv #

Photo taken Oct 31, 2003 Photo taken Oct 31, 2003 Photo taken Mar 08, 2004 Photo taken Mar 08, 2004 Photo taken Mar 08, 2004