Seattle Historical Sites

This manufacturing facility was constructed in 1926 for use by the Crescent Manufacturing Co. and was designed by the architectural firm of Stuart & Wheatley (1925-1930). The original owner was the Knickerbocker Co. and the building contractor was Peder Gjaarde. Located in the former Seattle tidelands area, it is associated with the final phase of the historic era of development of the area (Post World War I up to 1930) as a transportation-related industrial and commercial warehouse district. The tidelands were filled through a series of successive grading and fill projects between 1895 and 1929, creating developable land that made the expansion of railroad and port facilities possible and fostering the development of the area for commercial use that supported significant economic progress of the city in the early 20^th century.

The Crescent Manufacturing Co. imported and processed coffee, teas and spices and produced baking powder and flavoring extracts. The firm was established in 1888 by C.H. Hanford, Albert C. Larsen and H.F. Whitney, but was sold in 1897 to the Kahle brothers. The company prospered during the 1897 Alaskan Gold Rush and succeeded in creating a national distribution network. Its signature product was the Mapeleine imitation maple flavoring that launched the company into the international market during the 1930s. Don Weaver, nephew of the Kahle brothers, headed the company from the 1940s until 1986. In 1989 the firm was sold to the Baltimore, Maryland-based McCormick & Company, Inc. The Rainier Dearborn Association (RDA) converted the building for use as office space in 1997.

Bertram Dudley Stuart and Arthur Wheatley were in partnership from 1925 through 1930. The architectural firm designed commercial buildings, numerous apartment/hotels and at least two fraternities in the University District. Examples include the Exeter House apartments (1927), and the Bergonian/Mayflower Hotel (1926).

This large four-story square utilitarian building has been altered with  the replacement of the original large steel sash industrial windows, with the same fenestration pattern. Each façade is composed of six bays with large rectangular window sashes in the four central bays, while the corner bays are more articulated to appear tower-like, with capped piers, slightly narrower windows and coffered panels decorating the parapet. At the first story, some loading bays or entry bays have been altered, filled or added. Cantilevered metal canopies have been added above loading bays and entries at the south and west corners of the building. A small one-story addition and a five story elevator shaft have been added to the south side.

Additional sources:

-------“Seattle’s Industrial Expansion in Pictures.” Seattle, WA: Seattle Chamber of Commerce, 1929.

“Crescent Manufacturing Company,” HistoryLink.org; Essay file #2006