| Historic Name: |
Columbia City Post Office |
Common Name: |
New Freeway Hall |
| Style: |
Vernacular |
Neighborhood: |
Columbia City |
| Built By: |
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Year Built: |
1910 |
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| Significance |
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This one-story frame store building was probably constructed in 1922, by Theodore D. Weed, adjoining his store building at 5000 Rainier Avenue South. Theodore D. Weed was a resident of Columbia City, beginning circa 1905, when he was listed in city directories as a building contractor and carpenter. He owned and operated the City Sash and Door Company, located at 5000 Rainier Avenue S. from 1910 through the late 1920s. Weed resided in Columbia City, at 3839 S. Edmunds. He was the owner of the building at 4906-08 Rainier Avenue S. when it was remodeled in 1929 and renamed the Weed Building. During the 1920s and 30s Weed owned four commercial buildings in the 4900 and 5000 block of Rainier Avenue S. Its brick façade, with two storefronts and parapet inscribed “Post Office”, is still extant and contribute to the architectural character of the district.
In 1922, under Weed’s supervision, a brick veneer was added to the storefront at 5000 Rainier Avenue South, the subject building may have been constructed at that time, or if constructed previously, was given a brick front. It may have been designed by architect John L. McCauley, who was a resident of Columbia City and designed at least seven buildings in the district. The building has a parapet with a centered inscription reading “Post Office.” It was the location of the Columbia Station Branch of the U.S. Post Office from the mid-1920s through the early 1930s. It later was a furniture store owned by George Verhagen.
Radical Women and the Freedom Socialist Party are affiliated community organizations which have owned and occupied the building since 1985. The building houses administrative offices for both organizations, an international newspaper and publishing company, and several other activist community groups. The building’s current name New Freeway Hall evokes the organizations’ previous headquarters, Freeway Hall, located underneath Interstate 5 in the University District, from which the groups were evicted in 1984.
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| Appearance |
| This intact one and two story building is of frame construction and is supported by a concrete foundation. The building has a rectangular plan and a flat roof with a decorative parapet. The building is clad in brick veneer. The storefront configuration consists of two bays. The southern bay contains two plate glass windows with wood sash, and transom windows above. The northern bay consists of a central inset entry flanked by two expansive glass windows with transom windows located above. A modern metal marquee now covers the transom windows. |
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| Status: |
Yes - Inventory |
| Classication: |
Building |
District Status: |
LR |
| Cladding(s): |
Brick |
Foundation(s): |
Concrete - Poured |
| Roof Type(s): |
Flat with Parapet |
Roof Material(s): |
Asphalt/Composition |
| Building Type: |
Government - Post Office |
Plan: |
Rectangular |
| Structural System: |
Brick |
No. of Stories: |
one & ½ |
| Unit Theme(s): |
Architecture/Landscape Architecture, Commerce, Politics/Government/Law, Social Movements & Organizations |
| Integrity |
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Storefront: |
Intact |
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Changes to Windows: |
Intact |
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Changes to Plan: |
Intact |
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Changes to Original Cladding: |
Intact |
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| Major Bibliographic References |
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City of Seattle DCLU Microfilm Records.
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King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives.
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Polk's Seattle Directories, 1890-1996.
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Centennial History, Columbia City, Rainier Valley, 1853-1991, Pioneers of Columbia City. Seattle, Washington, 1992.
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