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Summary for 6657 ELLIS AVE / Parcel ID 3468800090 / Inv # 0
Historic Name: A.M. Clark House Common Name:
Style: Ranch - Minimal Traditional Neighborhood: Georgetown
Built By: Year Built: 1938
 
Significance

Based on field work conducted in September 2014, this historic property retains its relationship to the streetscape, historic building form and a sufficient amount of exterior historic building fabric (design features, cladding and/or window sash/openings) to contribute to the distinct character of the Georgetown neighborhood.

This is an altered but relatively intact historic property that may possess some limited architectural and/or historic significance. This property exhibits some substantive changes to the exterior appearance since it was identified in the 1997 HRI project. Modern vinyl window sash members appear to have been installed.

This property is associated with an era of residential and commercial building between 1916 and 1942 which continued in Georgetown despite an acceleration of the trends toward the industrialization of the area. Significant changes came with prohibition and the closure of the brewery in 1916, the completion of the Duwamish Waterway in 1917, and the arrival of new businesses, such as the Boeing Airplane Company in 1916. In spite of the increasingly industrial nature of the area which had been zoned as such in 1923, residents of Georgetown continued to build new homes and businesses and to plan for a future in the neighborhood. This house was built for A.M. Clark, who had previously resided at 6202 Corson Avenue. Marie A. Clark appears to have resided here until c. 1957. (E. M. Buckholtz, Contractor).
 
Appearance
A generally intact example of the earliest modern domestic design, the Minimal Traditional style. This was a dominant residential design mode during the late 1930s and early 40s that exhibits minimal design elements loosely based on earlier stylist, primarily Tudor, revivals and eclectic residential design modes. This design mode reflects the influence of European modernism and was the precursor to the widely popular Ranch and rambling Colonial designs of the post WWII era. This residence exhibits design features and historic building fabric that typify the Minimal Traditional design mode: a medium to low pitched roof form with a facade dominated by prominent front gable, tight eave and rake details, and minimal ornamental (Colonial) trim features at the recessed entry porch. The house is distinguished by an asymmetrical facade, varied cladding treatment and a distinctive (not original) aluminum corner window. The principle focal windows have been altered or replaced with aluminum sash. The majority of original windows remain in place and are typically three-part double-hung or casement type divided horizontally. A decorative hexagon window and a large brick masonry fireplace chimney are situated at the side elevation. The house is clad with original wide cedar siding and grooved paneling at the gable end. The front porch includes a concrete stair with relatively new wrought iron handrails. The site includes a one-car garage designed in character with the residence.

Detail for 6657 ELLIS AVE / Parcel ID 3468800090 / Inv # 0
Status: Yes - Inventory
Classication: Building District Status:
Cladding(s): Vertical - Boards, Wood - Clapboard Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured
Roof Type(s): Gable, Hip Roof Material(s): Asphalt/Composition
Building Type: Domestic - Single Family Plan: Irregular
Structural System: Balloon Frame/Platform Frame No. of Stories: one
Unit Theme(s): Architecture/Landscape Architecture, Community Planning/Development
Integrity
Changes to Original Cladding: Intact
Changes to Windows: Slight
Changes to Plan: Intact
Major Bibliographic References
City of Seattle DCLU Microfilm Records.
King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives.

Photo collection for 6657 ELLIS AVE / Parcel ID 3468800090 / Inv # 0

Photo taken May 02, 1997

Photo taken May 02, 1997

Photo taken Sep 18, 2014
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