Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 1903 S Dearborn ST S / Parcel ID 1937300240 / Inv #

Historic Name: Unknown Common Name: Style: Vernacular Neighborhood: Central Area Built By: Year Built: 1930   Significance This house is significant as representative of the work of Sam Catania, Italian/American, carpenter/contractor. It contributes to our knowledge of vernacular architecture and residential development in Seattle. It and its setting contribute to the historic streetscape. Further evaluation of this house may yield additional information about the rich ethnic history of this historically Japanese/American and Italian/American neighborhood. Catania first appears in City Directories as a shipworker in 1919. He subsequently appears as a carpenter and then contractor with his own company by 1930. By 1934, he is listed as a cabinetmaker. His houses evidence the skills of a cabinetmaker. He died ca. 1941.   Appearance This is one of approximately eight ca. 1925-1932 brick houses in this neighborhood attributedthat to carpenter/contractor Sam Catania. It embodies details characteristic of his houses which include exceptionally fine construction, polychrome brick often laid in quoin-like patterns, leaded glass windows, tile roofs, textured coatings on wooden window sashes and frames and symmetrical gable entrance porch with classical elements. Catania lived at 2317 19th Avenue South during the period of these houses. He later lived at 1909 Atlantic, the previous address of his coworker, Domenic Christopher who moved to 2356 15th Avenue South.

Detail for 1903 S Dearborn ST S / Parcel ID 1937300240 / Inv #

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: INV Cladding(s): Brick, Stucco Foundation(s): Unknown Roof Type(s): Gable Roof Material(s): Asphalt/Composition Building Type: Domestic - Single Family Plan: Rectangular Structural System: Unknown No. of Stories: one & ½ Unit Theme(s): Architecture/Landscape Architecture, Ethnic Heritage Integrity Changes to Original Cladding: Intact Changes to Interior: Unknown Changes to Plan: Intact Changes to Windows: Intact Major Bibliographic References City of Seattle DCLU Microfilm Records. Polk's Seattle Directories, 1890-1996. Sanborn (Insurance) Map Company, Seattle, Washington. Seattle Historic Inventory, Central Area, 1979.

Photo collection for 1903 S Dearborn ST S / Parcel ID 1937300240 / Inv #

Photo taken Jun 01, 1992