Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 1771 18th AVE / Parcel ID 7548300510 / Inv #

Historic Name: Common Name: Style: Vernacular Neighborhood: North Rainier Valley Built By: Year Built: 1929   Significance Built in 1929, this building was owned by Ottavio Domiweo. The building was purchased by Augustine and Sylvia Faccone in October of 1936. The Faccone’s resided in the building through 1938. Mr. Faccone worked as a moulder at Washington Iron Works. In August of 1941, James Anderson bought the residence for $3,500 and remained through 1943. Oscar H. Jones resided in the building by 1951, purchased the property in October of 1966, and remained through 1968. A neighborhood of Italian immigrants and their businesses developed in the North Rainier Valley and northeast Beacon Hill. Starting around 1900, Italian immigrants came to Seattle to work in coal mines and as construction laborers and farmers. The Italian immigrants may have settled in this area because of its inexpensive housing, convenient location near downtown, and potential for small farm plots in the North Rainier Valley. This neighborhood, which became known as “Garlic Gulch” or “Little Italy,” centered on South Atlantic Street and Rainier Avenue South. In 1915, about 200 families lived in a 90-square-block area along Rainier Avenue from Lane Street on the north to Mount Baker Park on the south. Many Italian-owned businesses were located in the area, including food imports, Borracchini’s Bakery, Oberto Sausage Company, produce stands, grocery stores, a nursery (Malmo’s), drug stores, and other shops. Our Lady of Mount Virgin Catholic Church at 1531 Bradner Place South, built in 1913, was the hub of the Italian community and operated a Catholic School that offered Italian lessons. Most of the remaining structures in the Italian neighborhood were razed during construction of I-90 in the 1970s and 1980s. 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.   Appearance Built in 1929, this compact, vernacular style, single-family dwelling stands on a rectangular corner lot. The building is oriented to Eighteenth Avenue South on a sloping site above street level. This 1021 square foot, one-and-a-half story house with a full basement features a rectangular plan, measuring approximately 29’ by 34’, with a 10’ by 4’ front stoop. A poured concrete foundation supports the wood frame, clapboard-clad superstructure. Asphalt composition roofing covers the cross gable roof. Modest, closed eave and gable overhangs with cornice returns and a pronounced rake trim define the roofline. Wood sash 1:1 windows with painted wood casings provide day lighting. A short flight of stairs leads to the pedimented front stoop. Slender posts carry the roof with an open railing between the posts. An external brick chimney services the building.

Detail for 1771 18th AVE / Parcel ID 7548300510 / Inv #

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: Cladding(s): Wood - Clapboard Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured Roof Type(s): Gable Roof Material(s): Asphalt/Composition Building Type: Domestic - Single Family Plan: Rectangular Structural System: Balloon Frame/Platform Frame No. of Stories: one & ½ Unit Theme(s): Integrity Changes to Plan: Slight Changes to Windows: Slight Changes to Original Cladding: Intact Major Bibliographic References City of Seattle DCLU Microfilm Records. King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives. Polk's Seattle Directories, 1890-1996. City of Seattle. Survey of City-Owned Historic Resources. Prepared by Cathy Wickwire, Seattle, 2001. Forms for Ravenna Park structures. Tobin, Caroline. (2004) "North Rainier Valley Historic Context Statement." Nicandri, David L. Italians in Washington State: Emigration 1853-1924. Olympia, WA: Washington State American Revolution Commission, 1978. Roe, Nellie Virginia. “The Italian Immigrant in Seattle,” Master of Arts Thesis, University of Washington, 1915.

Photo collection for 1771 18th AVE / Parcel ID 7548300510 / Inv #

Photo taken Nov 21, 2003