| Historic Name: |
Spencer, Laura, House |
Common Name: |
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| Style: |
Tudor |
Neighborhood: |
Capitol Hill |
| Built By: |
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Year Built: |
1900 |
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| Significance |
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In the opinion of the survey, this property is located in a potential historic districe (National and/or local). |
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The construction date for this simple builder’s Tudor is unclear, as the tax assessor’s date of 1900 seems to be too early for its appearance. It also notes that it was remodeled in 1926, so perhaps a small structure existed beforehand and was changed significantly at that time. This style was most common in the 1920s, a period when European Revival architecture overtook American residential design. It has a large lot with a two-car garage that matches the house in style and detailing; this was probably added about 1926 or shortly afterward. The owner of the house at that time was Laura Spencer, who purchased it in 1919 and may have owned it until 1959, when it was bought by the Sisters of the Holy Names who run nearby Holy Names Academy.
This is in Division #6, the last of the original Capitol Hill plats of James A. Moore, who gave the area its name. In 1900 Moore, who had already developed other Seattle neighborhoods, purchased and began platting 160 acres, roughly between 11th and 20th avenues, from Roy Street north to Galer. Before selling lots for construction, he graded and paved the streets (eliminating the dust that plagued many sections), installed sidewalks, water mains and sewer lines, and planned for street lights and telephone poles. Lots went on sale in 1901, heavily promoted to attract local business leaders as residents. This was the first part of Seattle developed in this way. Moore did not build houses for sale, but sold improved lots to builders or to people who then hired a builder to construct a home to their own taste. Covenants required that homes cost at least $3,000 to build and be at least 24 feet from the sidewalk. The 800 lots sold quickly to company owners, managers, executives, bankers, doctors, and attorneys. The lots grew in value by 300% over the next 12 years.
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| Appearance |
| This simple 2-1/2 story Tudor-style house has a steep wide gable roof with a prominent front gabled dormer set into the cornice. To the north of this the roof extends down to form an enclosed entry porch. Cladding is stucco with half-timbering on the upper levels. In the center of the roof is a small shed dormer, next to a tall brick chimney; a second chimney is at the south end. Windows are 8-over-1, mostly arranged in threes. The garage has a cross-gabled roof with half-timbering in the gable ends and pairs of six-light casements. |
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