| Historic Name: |
Magnuson, Warren & Jermaine, House |
Common Name: |
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| Style: |
Modern - Contemporary |
Neighborhood: |
Queen Anne |
| Built By: |
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Year Built: |
1958 |
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| Significance |
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In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the National Register of Historic Places. |
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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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In the opinion of the survey, this property is located in a potential historic districe (National and/or local). |
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This is notable as the home of Senator Warren Magnuson between 1981 and 1989. Magnuson represented Washington in the U.S. Senate longer than anyone else and had a profound effect on the development of both the state and the nation as a whole. Magnuson, born in Minnesota in 1905, came to Seattle to attend the University of Washington, and later served in the state legislature, as King County Prosecutor and in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was elected to the Senate in 1944, and served six terms before his defeat in 1980. He was particularly noted for obtaining funding for health care and research and enacting consumer protection legislation. Locally, he initiated successful proposals to protect marine mammals and Puget Sound, and obtained funds for the health sciences center at the University of Washington, the 1962 World's Fair, Pike Place Market preservation, and replacement of the West Seattle Bridge. Following his electoral defeat in 1980, Magnuson and his wife Jermaine purchased this house as their main residence. Bacause of his love for Puget Sound he sought a house with a view of the water. He continued to be active in public affairs. He lived here until his death in 1989, and his widow remains here today.
The house was designed by architect T. Dunstand, for Thomas Gillespie, a vice president of Seattle Marine Sales on Lake Union. He and his wife Ellen moved here in 1958. They had previously owned a notable modern Mediterranean house and the Franca Villa Apartments nearby on 9th Avenue West.
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| Appearance |
| This is a good example of a mid-century Modern house, with a flat roof with deep eaves and several large picture windows,coming out to the corners as is typical in this style. The living quarters are elevated above the double garage, with a curving stairway through a rockery leading to the main entry. Cladding is primarily sandstone with wide clapboard. A trellis runs above the garage doors, emphasizing the horizontality of the windows and the eaves. Windows are aluminum sash. There are two sandstone-clad chimneys. |
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