Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 224 - 226 Minor AVE / Parcel ID 2467400405 / Inv #

Historic Name: 224 Minor Avenue N. Common Name: Cascade Shelter Project Style: Various Neighborhood: Cascade Built By: Year Built: 1904   Significance In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance. In the opinion of the survey, this property is located in a potential historic districe (National and/or local). This building which resembles a house, but was designed as a multi-family dwelling, dates from 1904. Its central rectangular bay with prominent eave returns, the window bays to each side of the central bay, as well as the detailing of the small square windows of the entry porch are all architectural features that remain intact from the early design of the house. They are good examples of the kind of design used on houses, single and multi-family, in the Cascade Neighborhood, early in the Twentieth Century. Despite the residing of the building, (according to residents, all the layers of previous siding are below), the basic shape, form and historic detailing remain. This is one of the last remaining wood apartment houses from the early settlement of Cascade. With 224 ½ Minor Ave. N. (dating from 1906) and 226 ½ Minor Avenue N. (1908-9), which according to local oral history, were brought to the area as a result of the Denny Regrade, this forms a powerful record of the types of housing that used to exist in Cascade. Along with 224 ½ Minor Avenue North and 226 ½ Minor Avenue North, it definitely contributes to the distinctive identity of the Cascade neighborhood. The present building, however, is the only once of the three that we are fairly sure was constructed on this site. It was built using typical techniques and style associated with single family housing, unlike 425 Eastlake Avenue East, also of wood, which was designed more in keeping with the more typical notions of early apartment house design. The siding of this house has been changed at least twice. The original siding appears from photographs to have been wood clapboard siding, probably of cedar. By 1934, the siding was composition shingle, which aged very badly. This was finally replaced, probably in the 1990s, by the present siding. Despite the replacement of the siding, the basic shape, form and historic detailing remain. The building became a community center in the 1970s, with the bottom north unit serving as a clinic. The top unit had a photography dark room. In 1985, the building was returned to residential use.   Appearance Built in 1904 as either a “two family”or “four family house,” this building is rectangular in plan, with an added entry bay. It has a hipped roof with a cross gable roof over the rectangular entry bay and porch, which faces Minor Avenue North. The gable roof has prominent eave returns. Other distinguishing features are: at the attic level, the decorative combination of three small windows with a higher double hung central window, the two large windows at the second level and, at the ground level, the bays to each side of the central rectangular bays, as well as the small square windows, with Carpenter Gothic detailing, placed near two entry doors. The siding consists of plywood, with thin strips of wood, resembling vertical board and batten Despite the replacement of the siding, the basic shape, form and historic detailing remain.

Detail for 224 - 226 Minor AVE / Parcel ID 2467400405 / Inv #

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: INV Cladding(s): Vertical - Board and Batten, Wood Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured, Post & Pier Roof Type(s): Gable, Hip Roof Material(s): Asphalt/Composition Building Type: Domestic - Multiple Family Plan: Irregular Structural System: Balloon Frame/Platform Frame No. of Stories: two & ½ Unit Theme(s): Architecture/Landscape Architecture, Social Movements & Organizations Integrity Changes to Original Cladding: Moderate Changes to Plan: 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. Notes by Matria O'Hora, resident, September 2003

Photo collection for 224 - 226 Minor AVE / Parcel ID 2467400405 / Inv #

Photo taken Sep 13, 2003 Photo taken Sep 13, 2003