Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 722 N 49TH ST N / Parcel ID 9521100625 / Inv # 0

Historic Name: Robert A. Elllis House Common Name: Style: Arts & Crafts - Craftsman Neighborhood: Fremont Built By: Year Built: 1912   Significance This house is a notable but slightly altered example of Craftsman Bungalow design. On October 7, 1912, permit #117527 was issued to Robert A. Ellis to construct this residence for an anticipated cost of $2,000. Ellis was identified as the owner, builder and architect; however, the design was most certainly obtained from a plan book source. During this same period Ellis constructed another distinctive Craftsman Bungalow style residence nearby at 722 N. 47th St. Robert A. Ellis was an active Seattle home builder. He participated in the Klondike gold rush in 1898 and returned to Seattle where he primarily built houses in Fremont (Obit. Seattle Times January 5, 1940). An article published in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer on August 20, 1911 entitled “Pretty Cottages Recently Erected in North End” featured a photograph of a residence constructed by Ellis located at 711 N 46th St. It is assumed that numerous extant residential properties in Fremont were constructed by Robert A. Ellis. [Similar house located at 235 Nw 50th St.]   Appearance Located mid-block slightly above street level on the north side of N. 49th St. with front elevation oriented to the south. A generally well-preserved, one and one-half story, wood-frame, single-family residence constructed in 1912 that was converted to a triplex c.1964. Exhibits distinctive Craftsman Bungalow style design elements/features. Side-gable building form w/ prominent full width (9’) porch at facade. Measures approx. 25’ x 43’ with concrete foundation and basement level. Prominent canted front gable above porch with narrow multi-pane window at gable end. Battered river rock and brick porch support walls with square wood columns; stone and brick altered by application of white paint. Stair cheeks altered; original cheeks were wood-clad wing walls that stepped along stairway. Craftsman style design elements/features include: low-pitched roof forms; sone and brick porch features; cedar shingle cladding; multiple large kneebraces; wide barge boards and roof overhangs. Distinctive original wooden windows including multi-pane upper sash cottage and accent windows (including long narrow windows at gable end) remain in place. Original multi-pane Craftsman style door remains in place. Original brick masonry fireplace at east elevation in place. One-car garage at street grade in front of house, east side of lot.

Detail for 722 N 49TH ST N / Parcel ID 9521100625 / Inv # 0

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: Cladding(s): Brick - Clinker, Shingle, Stone - River Rock, 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 Unit Theme(s): Architecture/Landscape Architecture Integrity Changes to Plan: Intact Changes to Windows: Intact Changes to Original Cladding: Slight Changes to Interior: Unknown Major Bibliographic References Seattle Public Library – Biographical Index File King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives. City of Seattle DPD Microfilm Records. Polk's Seattle Directories, 1910-1940.

Photo collection for 722 N 49TH ST N / Parcel ID 9521100625 / Inv # 0

Photo taken Mar 17, 2009