| Historic Name: |
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Common Name: |
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| Style: |
Vernacular |
Neighborhood: |
North Rainier Valley |
| Built By: |
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Year Built: |
1910 |
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| Significance |
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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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Built ca 1910, the building was occupied by Dr. E. J. Brown by 1916. Dr. Brown raised the residence and rebuilt the foundation in 1916. John Henry and Sophia M. Hoffa purchased the building in October of 1938. Mr. Hoffa worked as a painter. The Hoffa’s remained in the building through 1955. In December of 1961, Bert M. Clifford purchased the property. John Cherry bought the residence in November 1963 for $10,000. Less than a year later, Bettie Anne Jones purchased the building in August of 1964 for $12,750 and remained in the house through 1968.
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.
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| Appearance |
| Built in ca 1910, this compact, vernacular style, single-family dwelling stands on a rectangular corner lot. The building is oriented to Nineteenth Avenue South on a flat site at street level. This 848 square foot, one-and-a-half story house with a full daylight basement features a rectangular plan, measuring approximately 21’ by 36’, with a 16’ by 8’ front porch. A poured concrete foundation supports the wood frame, shingle-clad superstructure. Asphalt composition roofing covers the cross gable roof and shed roof dormers. Modest, closed eave and gable overhangs define the roofline. Wood windows with multiple-pane upper sash and painted wood casings provide day lighting. A short flight of stairs leads to the side entrance stoop. On the front porch, groupings of three columns support the upper balcony. Low railings wrap the lower and upper portions. Two internal brick chimneys service the building. |
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| Status: |
Yes - Inventory |
| Classication: |
Building |
District Status: |
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| Cladding(s): |
Shingle |
Foundation(s): |
Concrete - Poured |
| Roof Type(s): |
Gable |
Roof Material(s): |
Asphalt/Composition |
| Building Type: |
Domestic - Single Family |
Plan: |
Irregular |
| Structural System: |
Balloon Frame/Platform Frame |
No. of Stories: |
one & ½ |
| Unit Theme(s): |
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| Integrity |
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Changes to Original Cladding: |
Intact |
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Changes to Windows: |
Slight |
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Changes to Plan: |
Intact |
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| Major Bibliographic References |
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City of Seattle DCLU Microfilm Records.
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King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives.
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Polk's Seattle Directories, 1890-1996.
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City of Seattle. Survey of City-Owned Historic Resources. Prepared by Cathy Wickwire, Seattle, 2001. Forms for Ravenna Park structures.
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Tobin, Caroline. (2004) "North Rainier Valley Historic Context Statement."
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