| Historic Name: |
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Common Name: |
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| Style: |
Vernacular |
Neighborhood: |
North Rainier Valley |
| Built By: |
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Year Built: |
1904 |
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| Significance |
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Built in 1904, the building was owned by G. Johnson by 1915. Mr. Johnson added a one-story addition in May of 1915. J. W. Vestal purchased the residence in September of 1931. By 1938, the building was vacant. William J. Thacker lived in the building by 1940 through 1943. In June of 1958, James M. Wells bought the property. Larry D. Martin lived in the building by 1961 followed by Joe Gartman by 1965. By 1968, Robert Johnson lived in the building.
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.
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| Appearance |
| Built in 1904, this compact, vernacular style, single-family dwelling stands on a rectangular lot. The building is oriented to Nineteenth Avenue South on a sloping site below street level. This 704 square foot, single-story house with a full daylight basement features an irregular plan, measuring approximately 13’ by 38’, with a 5’ by 16’ side porch. A poured concrete foundation supports the wood frame, shiplap and shingle (gable ends) clad superstructure. Asphalt composition roofing covers the cross gable roof. Modest, closed eave and gable overhangs with eave returns define the roofline. A prominent fascia wraps building at the transition between the first and half stories. Wood sash 1:1 windows with wood casings and decorative headers provide day lighting. A short flight of stairs leads to the side porch. A low railing bounds the porch. A brick chimney services the building. |
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| Status: |
Yes - Inventory |
| Classication: |
Building |
District Status: |
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| Cladding(s): |
Shingle, Wood - Shiplap |
Foundation(s): |
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| Roof Type(s): |
Gable |
Roof Material(s): |
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| Building Type: |
Domestic - Single Family |
Plan: |
Irregular |
| Structural System: |
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No. of Stories: |
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| Unit Theme(s): |
Architecture/Landscape Architecture |
| Integrity |
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Changes to Original Cladding: |
Intact |
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Changes to Plan: |
Slight |
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Changes to Windows: |
Intact |
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| Major Bibliographic References |
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City of Seattle DCLU Microfilm Records.
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King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives.
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Polk's Seattle Directories, 1890-1996.
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City of Seattle. Survey of City-Owned Historic Resources. Prepared by Cathy Wickwire, Seattle, 2001. Forms for Ravenna Park structures.
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Tobin, Caroline. (2004) "North Rainier Valley Historic Context Statement."
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