Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 342 NW 49TH ST NW / Parcel ID 1982200145 / Inv # 0

Historic Name: Oscar T. Scheller House Common Name: Style: Arts & Crafts - Craftsman Neighborhood: Fremont Built By: Year Built: 1918   Significance This house is a very well-preserved example of a popular Craftsman Bungalow cottage plan type that was commonly constructed in Seattle during this era. It was constructed in 1918 during an intense period of historic residential development in the district. The original building permit (#163059) was issued on January 19, 1918 to O.T. Scheller a German-immigrant carpenter who resided next door at 338 NW 49th St. O.T. Scheller was identified as the owner, contractor and architect on the permit application. Oswald T. Scheller was born c.1870 and immigrated to the United States in 1882; it is not known when he settled in Seattle or for how long he resided in Fremont and/or Seattle. The 1909 Polk’s Seattle City Directory indicates that he was living at 307½ Pike Street. By 1910, he appears to have moved to 338 W. 49th St. (now NW 49th St.) and continued to reside there until 1920 or possibly much later. He appears to have been active in the carpentry and home building trade during this entire period and it seems likely that he built numerous other houses in the area. King County tax records indicate that he acquired the subject land parcel on 4-26-1917 and retained ownership as of 6-2-1937. It appears possible that Mr. Scheller or family members owned this property into the 1970s.   Appearance [Denny's Add to Ballard & Seattle] Located mid-block at an uphill location on the north side of NW 49th St. with front elevation oriented to the south. Very well-preserved, one story, wood-frame, single-family residence constructed in 1918. There may be a small habitable attic area. Exhibits distinctive Craftsman Bungalow style design elements/features. Front gable building form w/ prominent projecting porch and canted corner bay window at facade. Measures approx. 25’ x 32’ with concrete foundation and basement level. Prominent 5’ x 17’ porch at center of façade with projecting low hipped roof, elaborate support posts composed of two and/or three wood posts with cross members resting on tapered shingle-clad piers. Shingle-clad cheeks at entry stair. Prominent canted square corner bay window at west side of façade oriented to the southwest. Square bay window at west elevation with gable roof above. Craftsman style design elements/features include: low pitched roof forms; porch and bay window features; porch features; cedar shingle cladding; roof brackets and exposed rafter ends at main roof, porch and side bay window; wide decorated (cut out) barge boards at gable ends and wide eaves and roof overhangs. Original double-hung windows at corner bay and side bay with Prairie type multi-pane pattern upper sash members; accent windows at attic are three-part horizontal group with nine lites in each panel. Accent windows, sidelights and entry door are also exhibit distinctive Prairie type multi-pane pattern. All of the windows appear to be original or closely matching wooden product. Original central brick chimney.

Detail for 342 NW 49TH ST NW / Parcel ID 1982200145 / 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 Unit Theme(s): Architecture/Landscape Architecture Integrity Changes to Windows: Intact Changes to Original Cladding: Intact Changes to Plan: Intact Changes to Interior: Unknown Major Bibliographic References U.S. Census Records (1880-1920) 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 342 NW 49TH ST NW / Parcel ID 1982200145 / Inv # 0

Photo taken Apr 10, 2009 Photo taken Apr 10, 2009