| Historic Name: |
John C. Powell House |
Common Name: |
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| Style: |
Arts & Crafts - Craftsman |
Neighborhood: |
Fremont |
| Built By: |
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Year Built: |
1909 |
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| Significance |
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This is a distinctive and well-preserved turn-of-the–century residence that exhibits popular Craftsman stylistic influences; it is a good example of middle-class house types that were prevalently constructed by building contractors and housing developers during this era. It was constructed in 1909 and is located in the Sunset Heights Addition, which was initially platted by H.A. Onsum and O.E. Anrud (and their wives) in April 1889. According to Permit # 79710 (dated 8/4/1909), this house was constructed for J.C. Powell by the builder J.K. Carr. It appears to have been built according to a standard plan from a planbook source, although Mr. Carr is listed on the permit as the architect. The permit application identifies it as a “1-1/2 story frame residence” with a 26’ x 38’ footprint that would require 12,000 bricks, 700 yds of plaster and 1500 lbs of cement to construct. The anticipated construction cost was $2,500.00. John C. Powell resided nearby at 4218 Phinney Ave. N; he was in the real estate business specializing in “Timber lands, Mortgage Loans and Insurance.” James K. Carr had resided in Wallingford (4114 Ashworth Ave.) and was a well-established carpenter and building contractor by this time. He was born c.1865 on the Missouri-Iowa state line; he and his wife Sarah arrived in Seattle from Texas with an ailing child for a ‘health cure’ in 1898. He was a graduate of Tulane University where he studied to become a building engineer. The family moved to Mercer Island (then known as east Seattle) in 1909. A newspaper article (Seattle Times 12-15-1957) noted that Carr built many of the large early homes on Mercer Island and many houses in Fremont. In c.1919, he went to work for the Mercer Island School District where we served as shop teacher, custodian and handled purchasing until 1938 when he retired and started a real estate business that he operated until c.1951. The original home owner and/or residents of this distinctive residence have not been identified. It was purchased by Michael M. Spillane on 10-7-1921 and appears to have remained in the ownership of the Spillane family until c.1955. Michael Spillane was born (c.1880) in Ireland, immigrated to San Francisco as a youth and settled in Seattle at an unknown date. He initially owned/operated a billiards room at 221 Marion Street. After 1920, he entered into the real estate business and continued to reside at this house until c.1952.
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| Appearance |
| Located mid-block on the east side of Phinney Avenue N. with front elevation oriented to the west. Well-preserved, two story, wood-frame, single-family residence constructed in 1909. Exhibits distinctive front-gable form with Craftsman style design elements/ features. Measures approx. 36’ x 38’ with concrete foundation and basement level. Full width cut-away porch distinguished by four clinker brick columns, low clinker brick guard rail and stairwell cheeks. Craftsman style design elements/features include: low pitched roof form, clinker brick masonry, variegated cladding (with half-timbered stucco treatment at main gable and upper portions of second floor level, cedar shingles at base and lower portion of second floor level), exposed rafter ends and purlins, wide barge boards and roof overhangs. Low-pitched shed dormer, clinker brick fireplace and square bay window at south elevation. Some of the original wooden double-hung windows with distinctive 12-lite multi-pane sash members remain in place; some appear to be non-historic replacement products. Concrete steps, rock retailing wall and driveway at south property line. Original one-car flat roof garage remodeled or replaced. |
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