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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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The Fischer Farmhouse was completed about 1912. August Fischer (b. 1856) was born and raised in Saxony, Germany. After learning the cabinet making trade, Fischer opened a cabinet shop which he ran for five years. In about 1880 he crossed the Atlantic and continued his trade as a cabinet maker and house builder. By February 1888, after marrying and starting a family, Fischer decided to move from Texas to Seattle. Carpentry work was plentiful in Seattle and by 1892 Fischer apparently made enough money during the boom years of the late 1880s and early 1890s to acquire 80 acres of vacant farmland in northwest King County. Soon after his acquisition he constructed his first farmhouse on land bounded by the future NE 100th and 105th streets and 25th and 35th avenues NE. At the time this part of the county was sparsely settled with only about 40 residences and other significant structures located from 85th to 145th streets and between Puget Sound and Lake Washington (McKee map).
Fischer’s farm was located on the corner of Ravenna Ave NE (formerly called Maple Leaf Road) and 105th Street. During the 1890s, Maple Leaf Road was one of only three north-south roads north of 85th Street. Fischer took four years to clear 20 acres of land for his crops and pasture. He likely hauled his produce and milk down 105th Street about 1¼ miles towards Lake Washington to the Seattle Lake Shore and Eastern Railroad line (current Burke Gilman Trail). In 1910 the Fischer household included August Fischer (b. 1856) and wife Wilhelmina (b. 1859), three sons; Powell (b. 1886), Fred (b. ca 1901), Louis (b. ca 1906), and two daughters; Annie (b. 1895) and Ada (b. 1897).
In 1925 August Fischer platted the land surrounding his house as the Fischer’s Highway Garden Tracts #2. August Fischer continued farming until he retired in 1930. Fischer family members lived in the farmhouse for seven more years. In 1932 the Fischers leased a portion of the farm for the Meadowbrook Golf Course. The nine hole golf course lasted until 1960 when it was purchased by the Seattle School District for Nathan Hale High School. The City of Seattle annexed the area between 85th and 145th streets to the city in the early 1950s. A three-block road called Fischer Place NE, which connects Lake City Way to NE 105th Street is named after August Fischer.
It is difficult to accurately date the construction of this structure. Since establishing the farm in 1892, the Fischers renovated or rebuilt their residence at least twice prior to 1910. It appears that the King County Assessment Rolls date the current house sometime between 1910 and 1915. According to the King County Property Record Cards, the house was built in 1913. Although the Polk directories listings of residences outside the city limits are incomplete, the earliest listing for August Fischer at this location is 1910. That year the directory lists August Fischer as a milk dealer. Unknown if this listing is for the existing residence or a pre-existing one. The year 1912 was chosen based on the assumption that the house was completed the year before it was placed on the King County Assessment Rolls.
Later occupants and owners. Joseph W. Gohien acquired the house in 1948. In 1954, at the time Seattle annexed this area, there were two occupants at 3029 NE 105th Street; tile layer Orland Erickson and his wife Beverly and Donald P. and Adeline M. Podoll. Donald Podoll worked as a salesman for Canada Life Assurance Company. At the time of the 1962 Seattle Worlds Fair John W. and Lorna Tillson lived at 3017 NE 105th. John Tillson worked for Northgate Homes as a salesman. Michael and Edith R. Carr lived at 3029 NE 105th. Boeing employed Michael Carr as a technical writer.
Variant addresses: The 1933 to 1941 Seattle Polk directories list the house at 3261 E 105th St and the original address listed on the 1937 King County Assessor Property Record Card is 3029 E 105th St.
This is one of the few farmhouses that exist within the city limits of Seattle. The residence appears to meet City of Seattle Landmark criteria due to the age of the structure in North Seattle (over 90 years old) and minimal alterations.
Sources (see below for complete citation):
King County Property Record Card (1937-1972) Parcel # 256880-0063
"August Fischer" Bagley, History of King County volume 4 pp. 269-270
"Mrs. Fischer, Pioneer, Dies" Seattle Times January 4, 1941. Clipping file. Special Collections, University of Washington Library
"Fischer's Highway Garden Tracts" Plats volume 26 page 1. Located at King County Recorder
"Fischer's Highway Garden Tracts Number Two" Plats volume 27 page 37 Located at King County Recorder
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