Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 429 20th AVE / Parcel ID Not noted / Inv #

Historic Name: Unknown Common Name: Style: Vernacular Neighborhood: Central Area Built By: Year Built: 1930   Significance This house is significant as an example of the work of Italian/American carpenter/contractor Sam Catania. It is an excellent example of early 20th century vernacular housing and it contributes to our knowledge of the architectural and residential development of Seattle. Further evaluation of this house may yield additional informaiton regarding the rich ethnic history of this hisotrically Japanese/American and Italian/American neighborhood. Catania first appears in the City Directories as a shipworker in 1919. He is later listed as a carpenter and then contractor, with his own firm in 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. 1925-1929 brick houses in this neighborhood attributed 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 co-worker Domenic Christopher who moved to 2356 15th Avenue South.

Detail for 429 20th AVE / Parcel ID Not noted / Inv #

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: INV Cladding(s): Brick Foundation(s): Unknown Roof Type(s): Gable Roof Material(s): Clay Tile 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 Windows: Intact Changes to Plan: 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 429 20th AVE / Parcel ID Not noted / Inv #

Photo taken Jun 01, 1992