Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 4327 S Morgan ST S / Parcel ID 3812400376 / Inv #

Historic Name: Wharton/Little House Common Name: Wharton/Little House Style: Queen Anne Neighborhood: North Rainier Valley Built By: Year Built: 1901   Significance In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance. The Wharton/Little House was constructed about 1901. Etha Wharton (b. 1835) and her nephew Oliver Wharton (b. 1865) arrived in Seattle soon after the 1897 Alaska Gold Rush started. By the time she moved to Seattle, Pennsylvania native Etha had married, raised two children, and lost her husband. In the spring of 1901, Etha purchased three acres of land from the land developer of Kelseys Brighton Beach Acre Tracts. This was part of the Brighton Beach community located south of the Seattle city limits. The house was probably finished by the end of the year and Etha and her nephew moved from north side of Lake Union into their new residence. They lived there three years before selling to veterinary surgeon Henry H. Little and his wife Ellen. The Littles moved from the house in 1908, but continued to own it for about 10 years. By the late 1920s Ralph and Eva Smailes moved into the house where they would remain through World War II. Smailes repaired Seattle street cars until they stopped running in 1941. He then switched to repairing diesel buses for Seattle Transit. During World War II Eva Smailes operated the Sunfrost Cattery, a small business she ran out of the Wharton/Little house. The Wharton/Little House appears to meet City of Seattle Landmark criteria due to the age of the structure (over 100 years old) and minimal alterations.   Appearance Wrap around recessed porch on north and east elevations. Cupola, one shed, and two gable dormers. A double hung window replaced with a single pane.

Detail for 4327 S Morgan ST S / Parcel ID 3812400376 / Inv #

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: Cladding(s): Wood - Clapboard Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured Roof Type(s): Hip 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): Architecture/Landscape Architecture Integrity Changes to Plan: Intact 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.

Photo collection for 4327 S Morgan ST S / Parcel ID 3812400376 / Inv #

Photo taken Jan 05, 2005