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Summary for 4200 36th AVE / Parcel ID 7950301800 / Inv #

Historic Name: Common Name:
Style: Art Deco Neighborhood: North Rainier Valley
Built By: Year Built: 1951
 
Significance
In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance.
Built in 1951, the building functioned as the Rainier Community Hall. The building contained an entrance hall, stage, hardwood floor, and office. Seattle architect, Howard Riley, designed the building. By 1968, the building was known as the Rainier Genesee Community Center. The North Rainier Valley consists of a depression created by glaciation between the ridges of Beacon Hill and Mount Baker. The valley derives its name from Mount Rainier because of stunning views of the mountain. The area’s growth followed the early streetcar line, which was completed to Columbia City in 1890. The North Rainier Valley includes the area north of Columbia City and contained many early vegetable farms. Commercial development followed along the streetcar line, with housing built nearby. During the first decades of the 20th century, the area between Massachusetts and Atlantic Streets was home to Seattle’s largest Italian enclave, “Garlic Gulch.” Dugdale Ball Park opened on the corner of Rainier Avenue and McClellan Street in 1913, and was succeeded by Sick’s Stadium in 1938. World War II precipitated a surge in housing development, including the public housing project, Rainier Vista, in 1943. Following the war, the area attracted a mix of African-Americans, Asians, and Filipinos. Today this diverse, low-to-middle income neighborhood is unique within Seattle with its long narrow form focused on the Rainier Avenue transportation corridor.
 
Appearance
Built in 1951, this Art Deco-influenced commercial block is oriented to Thirty-Sixth Avenue South on a sloped site. This 4157 square foot, single-story building features a rectangular plan, measuring approximately 48’ by 83’, with a canted front corner entrance. A poured concrete foundation supports the concrete block superstructure. A flat roof with parapet shelters the building. Three grooves run horizontally at the cornice level. Projecting buttresses accent the sidewalls.

Detail for 4200 36th AVE / Parcel ID 7950301800 / Inv #

Status: Yes - Inventory
Classication: Building District Status:
Cladding(s): Concrete - Block Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured
Roof Type(s): Barrel Vault Roof Material(s): Unknown
Building Type: Social - Meeting Hall Plan: Rectangular
Structural System: Concrete - Block No. of Stories: two
Unit Theme(s):
Integrity
Changes to Plan: Slight
Changes to Original Cladding: Intact
Changes to Windows: Slight
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) "North Rainier Valley Historic Context Statement."

Photo collection for 4200 36th AVE / Parcel ID 7950301800 / Inv #


Photo taken Nov 17, 2003

Photo taken Nov 17, 2003
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