Seattle.gov Home Page
Link to Seattle Department of Neighborhoods home page

Seattle Historical Sites

New Search

Summary for 1711 E SPRUCE ST E / Parcel ID 3037200006 / Inv # 0

Historic Name: Common Name:
Style: Queen Anne, Queen Anne - Free Classic Neighborhood: Central Area
Built By: Year Built: 1896
 
Significance
This is a somewhat unusual example of Queen Anne architecture, incorporating some Free Classic detailing and a stylistic remnant of Second Empire design. The structure’s design integrity has been somewhat compromised by alterations to several of the windows and minor modifications to the trim work and cladding.

This is one of approximately 2,200 houses that are still extant out of more than 5,000 that were built by the end of 1906 in Seattle’s Central Area, Eastlake, First Hill, Leschi, Madison Park, Madrona, and North Capitol Hill neighborhoods.

A complete permit history, and a complete record of ownership and occupation have not yet been prepared for this property; however, the house appears to have been owned by F. E. Lynn from about 1933 until at least 1937. G. H. Hartley apparently acquired the property in 1945, and Fitzhugh D. Fuller bought it in 1959. The present owner purchased the house from Janet M. Daingerfield in 1997.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

King County GIS Center Property Report (http://www5.kingcounty.gov/kcgisreports/property_report.aspx; accessed July 12, 2008)

King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972) Washington State Archives

 
Appearance
This is a two story, clapboard and shingle clad, wood frame single-family residence on a brick foundation, over a quarter basement. One of the two porches appears to be built on a post and beam foundation.

The irregular plan is capped by a complex hip roof with cross gables. A shed roof extends the hip over the second story, front facing, partially enclosed balcony. The roofs feature minimal to moderate overhangs, and enclosed soffits. A pyramidal roof surmounts an engaged tower at the northwest corner of the structure.

The windows and doors are characterized by patterns and details customarily associated with Queen Anne architecture, and the irregular footprint of the house, the complex roof, the cutaway bays, and agitated wall surfaces are also very typical of Queen Anne design. The corner tower is another characteristic Queen Anne element. The front facing pediment projecting from the original mansard roof at the entry porch, the Tuscan columns that support the porch roof, and the box modillions at the porch roof soffits are all associated with the Free Classic mode of the Queen Anne style, although the mansard itself is a remnant of Second Empire design that gives the building a slightly gothic flavor.

This house was built in 1896, according to the King County Property Record Card (the
King County GIS Center Property Report, accessed July 12, 2008, give the date as 1900; however, this source is unable to record dates earlier than that).

The railings at the entry stairs have been replaced (or added). The mansard roof at the base of the second floor balcony over the entry porch appears to have been modified. The northwest corner of the house may have been altered; the base of the corner tower appears to sit awkwardly on the rectilinear mass at the first floor level (though it should be noted that the sketch plan on the King County Property Record Card indicates that the present footprint has existed since 1937).

Most of the easily observed windows at the first floor level appear to be new. A few of the upper story windows appear to have been replaced as well.

The cladding appears much as it did in 1937. However, some of the window casings have been altered.

Detail for 1711 E SPRUCE ST E / Parcel ID 3037200006 / Inv # 0

Status: Yes - Hold
Classication: Building District Status:
Cladding(s): Shingle, Wood, Wood - Clapboard Foundation(s): Brick, Post & Pier
Roof Type(s): Gable, Hip, Pyramidal, Mansard Roof Material(s): Asphalt/Composition-Shingle
Building Type: Domestic - Single Family Plan: Irregular
Structural System: Balloon Frame/Platform Frame No. of Stories: two
Unit Theme(s): Architecture/Landscape Architecture
Integrity
Changes to Plan: Slight
Changes to Original Cladding: Slight
Changes to Windows: Extensive
Changes to Interior: Unknown
Major Bibliographic References

Photo collection for 1711 E SPRUCE ST E / Parcel ID 3037200006 / Inv # 0


Photo taken Nov 29, 2007
App v2.0.1.0