| Historic Name: |
Celdon F. Martin House |
Common Name: |
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| Style: |
Spanish - Mission |
Neighborhood: |
Fremont |
| Built By: |
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Year Built: |
1924 |
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| Significance |
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This is a particularly distinctive and well-preserved Mission Revival style residence, unique to the Fremont neighborhood. While King County Assessor’s records list the house as built in 1916, building permit # 231975 [issued March 12, 1924] shows that it was constructed for C.F. Martin in 1924. Celdon F. Martin was a general contractor, and president of the Seattle Construction Company and the Lynyale Holding Company. He had been involved in building construction as a carpenter and contractor in Seattle since at least 1909. The permit application identified Mr. Martin as both the contractor and the architect. According to neighborhood folklore, the house was used as a “speakeasy” during Prohibition; a neighbor told the current owners that his uncle had seen the speakeasy in operation. Reportedly, Mr. Martin was part-owner of Soleduck Hot Springs on the Olympic Peninsula, which was known as a drinking haven during Prohibition. At the main floor level, the rooms and the interior doors are oversized, said to give the house early 20th-century elegance. On the lower level, behind the garage, there is a particularly large room [approx. 1250 sq. ft.] that appears to have been a ballroom. It is L-shaped and has original maple floors throughout. The short side of the “L” has a tiled fireplace and built-in bookcases. A small adjoining room includes a walk-in safe. There is a bar in the room and, at one time, it also had a pipe organ. These attributes may reflect the reported “speakeasy” use. The 1937 tax record stated that it was the “Best house in block.” It is not known how long Celdon and his wife Myrtle resided here; it appears to have remained in the ownership of a Martin family member (Mirza Martin) beyond 1939 and possibly beyond 1972. The house was purchased by Karen Newell and Michael Kipling in 1983 from Suzanne Lavick and Kurt Dahl. It was in excellent condition when Newell and Kipling bought it, so they have only needed to do cosmetic work. [Information drawn from Fremont Neighborhood Tour brochure text/provided by Fremont Neighborhood Council.]
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| Appearance |
| Prominently located at the SE corner of the intersection of N 42nd St. and Dayton Avenue with the façade oriented to the north. Highly distinctive and very well-preserved one-story, wood-frame, single family residence. Mission Revival style with asymmetrical flat roof form. House measures approx. 46’ x 50’ with additional multiple projecting bays. Concrete foundation and full concrete basement level; daylight basement and garage at west and south side of house. Concrete stucco cladding with brick sills and accent details. Stucco has been restored to original paint color. Prominent slightly projecting entry porch with gable roof and arched opening. Cutaway open 6’ x 28’ porch under hipped tile roof form at NW corner of façade. Prominent chimney with elaborate cap and projecting gable-roof bay above segmental-arched garage door at west elevation. Tile roofing at entry porch and west bay. Exposed rafter ends, purlins and ornate barge boards at these roofs. Parapet with tile coping at main roof. Original multi-pane double-hung wooden and fixed sash appear to remain in place. Low concrete retaining wall at perimeter of property and driveway. |
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