Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 5036 44th AVE / Parcel ID 1704900156 / Inv #

Historic Name: Hadley/Weiss House Common Name: Hadley/Weiss House Style: Vernacular Neighborhood: North Rainier Valley Built By: Year Built: 1904   Significance In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance. The Hadley/Weiss House was constructed about 1904. In the early summer of 1904 realtor Charles Shrader sold the Columbia City property to Charles and wife J. L. Hadley. Charles Hadley arrived in Seattle in 1902 and soon started working as a window decorator for the McDougall and Southwick department store. At the time they purchased the property, the Hadleys also mortgaged the property to finance the house construction. By the end of the summer of 1904, they likely completed and moved into the house. Within a year they sold the house to Charles and Louise Weiss and left Seattle. Charles Weiss (b. ca 1854) immigrated from Germany in 1880, married and settled in South Dakota. About 1905, Charles, wife Louise, and five children (three daughters and two sons ages 4 to 18) headed to booming Seattle. Soon after arriving, Charles Weiss purchased the Hadley house and moved in for a stay that would last for about 40 years. Wanting to take advantage of the city's explosion in population and building, Charles Weiss went from selling hats to selling real estate. By 1910 Louise Weiss died and by 1913 or 1914 Charles remarried. His children lived in the house into their 20s. Lulu (b. ca 1887) worked as a clerk until about 1912, when she left the house. Pierre (b. ca 1890) held numerous jobs prior to World War I including general store clerk, bill collector, traveling salesman for Scribners and Sons book publishing company, ran a cigars and confectionery store, and a tobacco salesman. After serving in the Army during World War I, he lived with his parents for a year when he married and got his own place. Philip Weiss (b. ca 1892) attended the University of Washington when Word War I started and he joined the U.S. Navy. After the war, he returned to the University of Washington, earned a law degree, and started a small Seattle law firm. Lenore (b. 1896) also attended the University of Washington, graduating with a teacher's certificate. Apparently the teaching profession was not for her because after a year she started working as a clerk in a dry goods store. Mildred (b. ca 1901), the youngest child, worked as a waitress and a stenographer. The Hadley/Weiss House appears to meet City of Seattle Landmark criteria due to the age of the structure (over 100 years old) and minimal alterations.   Appearance The vernacular Hadley/Weiss House has a saltbox roof, unusual for a pre 1905 Seattle residence. Full width porch and a large hip dormer. Bay window on north elevation, decorative windows on south elevation. South elevation window altered. Residence is completely reclad.

Detail for 5036 44th AVE / Parcel ID 1704900156 / Inv #

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: Cladding(s): Shingle Foundation(s): Concrete - Block Roof Type(s): Gable 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 Original Cladding: Extensive Changes to Plan: Intact Changes to Windows: Slight 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 5036 44th AVE / Parcel ID 1704900156 / Inv #

Photo taken Jan 05, 2005