| Historic Name: |
Betsy Ross, The |
Common Name: |
Betsy Ross |
| Style: |
Colonial - Colonial Revival |
Neighborhood: |
Central Area |
| Built By: |
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Year Built: |
1928 |
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| Significance |
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In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the National Register of Historic Places. |
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In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance. |
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In the opinion of the survey, this property is located in a potential historic districe (National and/or local). |
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The Betsy Ross epitomizes the romanticism of American history prevalent at the time it was built. It is one of several apartment buildings constructed in this area by Samuel Anderson, a local developer and builder. Each one is different but of similar mass and scale and each reflects popular styles of the day. They are in vivid contrast to the more typical brick-clad buildings with Tudor- or Gothic inspired terra cotta ornament.
These buildings, all built within one year, are good examples of the major construction Seattle experienced during the 1920s. The city's population had increased dramatically in previous decades, and prosperity encouraged developers to meet the pent-up demand for housing. Apartments, ranging from basic housing to luxury units, were a significant factor in meeting this need, and became a major element of the streetscape in many Seattle neighborhoods. This is a fine example of the design attention paid to many of these buildings, where detailing and materials were used to reduce the impact of larger structures. This neighborhood, known as Renton Hill, had been the site of many fine homes early in the century. By the late 1920s many of those houses were becoming multifamily, and apartment buildings were being built. The area was especially attractive for its views and the convenient Madison Street car line to both downtown and Lake Washington.
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| Appearance |
| This three-story 50x70 building is clad with red brick, with terra cotta ornamentation in the center entry bay. The entry has a four-columned portico supporting a small porch with a wrought iron balustrade. The door, sidelights and transom all have leaded glass. A leaded glass door and sidelights open onto the porch, with a large arched multipaned window on the third floor above--the buidling's dominant feature. Windows have six-over-six double-hung sash. The cornice has modillions, and the parapet features turned balusters above each bay of windows. The building is highly intact, except that it no longer has the original wood shutters, and the Corinthian capitals on the portico columns are missing. |
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