Seattle Historical Sites

This property was constructed in 1914, according to the King County Assessor 1937 property card, as a single-family residence designed in the Craftsman style. A near twin of the residence is present around the corner at 218 W Roy Street.

The earliest known owner of the building was C.G. Swanson, according to the 1925 entry in its property card. Charles (C.G.) Swanson (ca.1876–1959) owned the house and rented it out, he lived in the house’s twin at 218 W Roy Street, where he resided until his death in 1959. Charles Swanson was born ca. 1876 in Illinois. According to his obituary in the May 21, 1959, edition of The Seattle Times, Swanson arrived in Seattle in 1908 via San Francisco. His wife’s name was Bloye E. and they married ca. 1926, when Charles was 50 and Bloye was 39. They had one son together, Charles B., who was born ca. 1928. According to his obituary, Swanson also had two daughters: a Mrs. Arthur Anderson and L.J. McDonnell. Charles worked as a painting contractor, painting the old main post office in Seattle, the Capitol Building in Olympia, and the Olympic Hotel. He was also a member of the Eureka Lodge No. 20, F.& A.M., and a member of Oriental Chapter No. 19, Royal Arch Masons; Nile Temple of the Shrine, the Arctic Club, and the Painting & Decorating Contractors of America.

Constructed in 1914, the residence at 708 Third Avenue W is located mid-block on the east side of Third Avenue W between W Roy Street and W Olympic Place. The building is oriented towards Third Avenue W and has a mostly rectangular plan. Its west and east elevations measure roughly 24 feet wide, with its north and south elevations measuring 32 feet. The house has a side gable roof clad in asphalt composition shingles. A shed dormer projects from the west slope of the roof. The 1.5-story wood-frame house has a raised basement; its foundation is unknown. The building is clad in coursed wood shingles. The main entrance is located on the west facade and is off-centered to the north. A gabled porch on squared pillars set on a low porch wall shelters the entrance. Concrete steps lead up from the sidewalk to the porch steps. The Craftsman-style building has brackets, bargeboards, and decorative rafter tails highlighting the eave overhangs. The building features intact wood, 1:1 sash windows on its north and south elevations. The original, multi-lite sash windows on its west elevation have been replaced. A brick chimney projects from the west slope of the roof. The soffits on the building feature tongue and groove beadboard.

The building retains moderate integrity with its original cladding and some wood windows, and is a typical example of the Craftsman style.