Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 3301 YORK RD / Parcel ID 9834200615 / Inv #

Historic Name: Common Name: Style: Colonial - Colonial Revival Neighborhood: North Rainier Valley Built By: Year Built: 1921   Significance In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance. Built in 1921, the Larseen Apartments had three units by 1938 and five units by 1955 through 1968. In September 1912, on the date of the opening of Franklin High School, there were four elementary schools in the survey area. Listed from north to south, the elementary schools were Colman, Beacon Hill, York (renamed John Muir in 1921) and Hawthorne. All of these schools were built as a direct result of trolley lines making the North Rainier Valley and Beacon Hill accessible for residential development, and all of the schools were located close to trolley stops. In 1876, King County School District #18 was formed, covering the North Rainier Valley. This district merged with the Seattle School District in 1907 when the city annexed the North Rainier Valley. Prior to annexation, the district, also called the Columbia District, was six miles long along the streetcar line and one mile wide on either side of the track. York School was the earliest in the North Rainier Valley section of the survey area. The York Subdivision, platted in 1903 by George M. and Martha Taggart, was one of the early communities along the North Rainier Valley electric trolley line. The Taggart’s donated the land for the school. When it opened in 1903, the school was known as Wetmore School, named for the Wetmore family, early settlers whose home was in the area. York Road, an early county road running from First Hill to the North Rainier Valley prior to the existence of Rainier Avenue, adjoined the school site and is probably the reason the small community became known as York. A new, nine-room brick school designed by architect Edgar Blair and located at Thirty-Third Avenue South and South Horton Street was opened in 1910 and named York School. In 1921, the school was renamed John Muir, after the Scottish born naturalist. An addition designed by Floyd A. Naramore was constructed in 1924 to add a lunchroom/auditorium and nine classrooms. The original building and the addition were demolished in 1989 to make room for a new wing which was designed by Streeter/Dermanis and Associates and which opened in 1991. 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 1921, this Colonial Revival style apartment building is oriented to York Road South on a flat site at street level. This 2236 square foot, two-story house with a partial basement features an L-shaped plan, measuring approximately 26’ by 60’ by 26’. A poured concrete foundation supports the wood frame, brick- and clapboard-clad, flat roof superstructure. Wood sash double hung windows provide day lighting. A prominent dentiled cornice wraps the building. A brick chimney services the building. Three integrated garages service the building. This building shares the lot with 3311 York Road South. The building originally featured five units.

Detail for 3301 YORK RD / Parcel ID 9834200615 / Inv #

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: Cladding(s): Foundation(s): Unknown Roof Type(s): Flat with Parapet Roof Material(s): Unknown Building Type: Domestic - Multiple Family Plan: L-Shape Structural System: Balloon Frame/Platform Frame No. of Stories: two Unit Theme(s): Integrity Changes to Windows: Slight Changes to Plan: Slight Changes to Original Cladding: 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." Centennial History, Columbia City, Rainier Valley, 1853-1991. Pioneers of Columbia City, 1992. Carey Summers, contributing author. Thompson, Nile and Marr, Carolyn J. Building for Learning, Seattle Public School Histories, 1862-2000. Seattle School District No. 1, 2002. Calkins, Kenneth L. The Name on the Schoolhouse. Washington State Retired Teachers Association, 1991. The Rainier Valley Citizen Annual, December 25, 1915. Facsimile Reproduction, the Shorey Bookstore, 110 Union Street, Seattle, Washington, 98101, 1979.

Photo collection for 3301 YORK RD / Parcel ID 9834200615 / Inv #

Photo taken Mar 12, 2004 Photo taken Mar 12, 2004 Photo taken Mar 12, 2004 Photo taken Nov 05, 2003 Photo taken Nov 05, 2003 Photo taken