| Historic Name: |
John E. & Lottie M. Gabriel House |
Common Name: |
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| Style: |
Arts & Crafts - Craftsman |
Neighborhood: |
Fremont |
| Built By: |
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Year Built: |
1912 |
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| Significance |
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This house is significantly altered; however it appears to be a good example of popular turn-of –the–century residential design (Craftsman Bungalow pre-cut house type) and was certainly constructed according to a planbook source; it is similar to popular plans known to have been promoted by local planbook purveyors. It is located in Woodland Addition to Salmon Bay City (platted February 1887) and was constructed in 1912 during an intense period of historic residential development in the district. The construction permit (#3110615) was issued to J. E. Gabriel on February 10, 1912. Mr. Gabriel was identified as the owner, builder and architect and indicated that the house would be built for a cost of $1,000. A small 11’ x 17’ garage designed in character with the house was built at the north side of the lot at an unknown date; it appears to be contemporary with the residence. The original owner (and very possibly the builder) was John E. Gabriel (b.1875). Mr. Gabriel was a native of West Liberty, Iowa and settled in Seattle with his parents in 1890. He began his career as a watchmaker and later became well known as a jewelry auctioneer. The 1910 Polk’s Seattle City Directory identifies him as a jeweler; however, he was subsequently listed in 1913 as in the “real estate” business and in 1915 as a “building contractor.” Thus, he may have been involved in speculative residential development and the construction of other houses similar to the one he built for himself. Mr. Gabriel and his wife Lottie M. continued to reside here for several decades; Lottie Gabriel died in 1945 and John Gabriel died in 1954 (obit. Seattle Times April 4, 1954.)
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| Appearance |
| Located mid-block with front elevation oriented to the east. One story, wood-frame, single family residence. Side-gable Craftsman Bungalow style house type. Exterior cladding and porch appear to have been significantly altered; building form and fenestration well preserved. Measures approx. 34’ x 40’ concrete foundation and basement level. Prototypical low-pitched side-gable roof form with exposed rafter ends and wide overhangs. Projecting central porch with front gable has a similar form to original; however, the porch originally included distinctive tapered posts with Craftsman-inspired cap brackets and the stairs originally extended the full width of the porch with brick checks in line with the porch deck. Original double-hung windows w/ diamond pattern upper sash members remain in place as well as diamond pattern sidelights and the original Craftsman style panel door. Cladding alterations include the installation of brick veneer (c.1952) in place of original shingles at first floor level and cedar board-and-batten cladding at the building base. The original building base was also slightly tapered in the Craftsman Bungalow fashion; that taper has also been eliminated. The cohesiveness of the distinctive window design and the prototypical original Craftsman Bungalow design details are an indication that this may have been a built from a catalog design source that was “pre-cut” and delivered to the site for assembly. A small garage designed in character with the house is located to rear of house at the north side of the lot with a driveway extending to Linden Street. |
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