Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 4903 FREMONT AVE / Parcel ID 9521100326 / Inv # 0

Historic Name: Jesse F. Findley House Common Name: Style: Vernacular Neighborhood: Fremont Built By: Year Built: 1908   Significance This is a distinctive and generally intact turn-of-the–century residence that exhibits popular architectural influences derived from Classical architecture; it is a good example of modest working class house types that were prevalently constructed by building contractors and carpenters during this era. It was constructed in 1908 and is located in the Woodland Addition to Salmon Bay City, which was plated by Robert D. McFadden in February 1887 and was one of the earliest platted and developed residential areas in Fremont. According to Permit # 66470 (dated 9/19/1908), this house was constructed for Jesse Findley (sp.??) by Theo Gunther. The permit application identifies it as a “1-1/2 story frame dwelling” with a 26’ x 40’ footprint that would require 1000 bricks, 500 sq. yds. of plaster and 500 lbs. of cement to construct. Theo Gunther resided at 5557 Greenwood Ave.; he was a partner in Gunther & Wilson a cabinet making business located at 419 James Street. Property records indicate that the house was acquired by the First Norwegian (Evangelical) Church in June 1933. The church sanctuary was located at 1928 Boren Avenue near Virginia St. during this era; the house was used as a residence for the church pastor – Rev. Bernt T. Gabrielson and his wife Jennie from 1938 until ca. 1942, when it was sold to Earl M. Jones. [The First Norwegian (Evangelical) Church was originally organized in Seattle as the Norwegian Danish Evangelical Church in 1888; it subsequently became known as Denny Park Lutheran Church.] For a period after 1952 the subject house was clad with brick pattern asphalt composition siding.   Appearance Located at the NW corner of the intersection of Fremont Avenue with N 49th St. with façade oriented to the east. 1-1/2 story, wood-frame, single family residence. Measures approx. 26’ x 39’ with a concrete foundation and basement. Cross gable form with prominent partially pedimented roof gables at all elevations and a full width projecting 6’ x 26’ porch along front elevation. Distinguished by modest carpenter-derived Classical details and stylistic features: symmetrical form, pedimented gable ends, dentil brackets at roof soffit, tapered wooden porch columns. Polygonal bay window located at south elevation. Slender central brick chimney. Original narrow horizontal cedar siding at first floor level remains in place; decorative cedar shingles located at gable ends appear to be modern installation. Original and/or matching narrow double-hung wooden windows and cottage windows some that include ornamental leaded glazing, which does not appear to be original. Design of this house may have been based on a planbook source.

Detail for 4903 FREMONT AVE / Parcel ID 9521100326 / Inv # 0

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: Cladding(s): Shingle, Wood - Clapboard Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured Roof Type(s): Gable Roof Material(s): Asphalt/Composition-Shingle 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 Changes to Interior: Unknown Major Bibliographic References Polk's Seattle Directories, 1890-1996. King County Tax Assessment Rolls, Washington State Archives. King County Tax Assessor Records, ca. 1932-1972. Baist Map of 1905, 1908 and 1912 City of Seattle DPD Microfilm Records.

Photo collection for 4903 FREMONT AVE / Parcel ID 9521100326 / Inv # 0

Photo taken Mar 30, 2009 Photo taken Apr 30, 2009