Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 9715 8th AVE / Parcel ID 3626039232 / Inv #

Historic Name: Skotdal Farmhouse Common Name: Skotdal Farmhouse Style: Vernacular Neighborhood: Broadview-Bitter Lake-Haller Lake Built By: Year Built: 1907   Significance In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance. The Skotdal Farmhouse was constructed about 1907. In 1890, newlyweds Anders (1859-1917) and Annie (b. 1868) Skotdal emigrated from Norway to Washington state. Within two years the Skotdals moved to Ballard. By 1897 they established City Dairy at the northwest corner of Crawford (renamed NW 59th St) and 2nd Ave E (9th Ave NW). Ten years of urban sprawl forced the Skotdals to relocate their herd of cows. In 1907, the year Seattle annexed the town of Ballard, the Skotdals purchased 10 acres a few blocks north of the Ballard city limits (soon to become Seattle city limits). Skotdal had a farmhouse built for the family of five (Anders, Annie, and three sons ages 16, 11, and 9). The approximate boundaries of the farm included the area from 97th and 102nd avenues and 8th and 12th streets NW. The just completed Everett Interurban ran from Ballard through north King County along Greenwood Avenue, just eight blocks from the Skotdal Farmhouse. Upon the 1917 death of Anders, son Ole Skotdal (1890-1952) took over the dairy farm. After running it for about four years, he sold the herd and joined the teamsters to become a truck driver. The Skotdals remained on the land until they sold out in 1930. This is one of the few remaining farmhouses in Seattle. Later occupants. In 1928 George and Ida Lawrence resided at 9507 8th Avenue NW. George Lawrence worked for Todd Dry Docks as a rigger. In 1930, Emil L. and Frida Mikkelsen purchased the house and dairy which was one of the locations for Charmed Land Diaries. They lived there until World War II. By the mid 1950s Boeing employee Howard M. King and his wife Charlotte moved in and occupied the house into the 1960s. Variant addresses. This building has gone through a number of address changes; 9727 8th av NW (Polk 1919); 9601 8th av NW (Polk 1920); 9605 8th av NW (Polk 1921); 9507 8th av NW (Polk 1922-1923); 9711 8th Ave NW (Polk 1934-1942); 9707 8th Ave NW (1937 King County Assessors Property Record Card). Sometime between 1938 and 1955 the King County Property Record Card address was changed to 9715 8th Ave NW which is the current address posted on the house. This is one of the few unaltered farmhouses that exist within the city limits of Seattle. The residence appears to meet City of Seattle Landmark criteria due to the age of the structure (about 100 years old) and minimal alterations. Sources: "Ole Skotdal, Old Ballard Resident, Dies" Seattle Times January 16, 1952 Newspaper index. Seattle Room, Seattle Public Library, Downtown Branch. "Mrs. Ole Skotdal" [obituary] Seattle Times September 30, 1949 Newspaper index. Seattle Room, Seattle Public Library, Downtown Branch.   Appearance The vernacular front gable Skotdal Farmhouse was constructed about 1907. The east elevation has a full width porch with heavy square posts supporting a hip porch roof. Double hung windows. A shed addition on west elevation.

Detail for 9715 8th AVE / Parcel ID 3626039232 / Inv #

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: Cladding(s): Shingle Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured Roof Type(s): Gable Roof Material(s): Asphalt/Composition Building Type: Domestic - Single Family Plan: Rectangular Structural System: Balloon Frame/Platform Frame No. of Stories: one & ½ Unit Theme(s): Architecture/Landscape Architecture Integrity Changes to Plan: Intact Changes to Original Cladding: Intact Changes to Windows: Intact Major Bibliographic References King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives. Polk's Seattle Directories, 1890-1996. Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Seattle, Washington. (New York, Sanborn Map Company, 1949-1950 update) 11 volumes. Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Seattle, Washington. (New York, Sanborn Map Company, 1929-1930) Volumes 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

Photo collection for 9715 8th AVE / Parcel ID 3626039232 / Inv #

Photo taken Nov 23, 2004