| Historic Name: |
Herbert A. & Eleanor Ward 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 house is a generally well-preserved example of a popular Craftsman Bungalow cottage plan type that was commonly constructed in Seattle during this era. It is the best preserved of three similar houses constructed on this half block. It is located in Steel Works Addition (platted September 1889 by Anna H. and J. W. Clise) and was constructed in 1909 during an intense period of historic residential development in the district. The original building permit (#73063) was issued on March 10, 1909 to Herbert Ward for the construction of a ‘1 story frame cottage 27 x 41’ with an estimated construction cost of $1,000. Herbert A. (Arthur) Ward [1876-1954] was a house carpenter and carpentry contractor; he most certainly constructed this house and very likely built other houses on this block and throughout the district. He was the son of an early Duwamish Valley settler (John B. Ward) who settled in Georgetown in 1888. According to U.S. Census records, Herb Ward was still residing in Georgetown and working as a house carpenter in 1900 (age 23). After the construction of this house, he and his wife Eleanor C. Ward began to reside there. By 1920, U.S. census records show that the family included two sons and a sister-in-law who lived here. At the time of his death in 1954, his obituary indicated that he died at home (111 N. 50th St.) after a long illness [Seattle Times Sept. 6, 1954]. The property appears to have remained in the ownership of his widow and/or family members until 1957 when it was purchased by Fredrik M. Bodtker.
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| Appearance |
| [Steel Works Add to Seattle] Located mid-block on the south side of N. 50th St. with front elevation oriented to the north. Well-preserved, one story, wood-frame, single-family residence constructed in 1909. Exhibits distinctive Craftsman Bungalow style design elements/features. Front gable building form w/ prominent cutaway porch and corner bay window at facade. There may be a small habitable attic area. Measures approx. 27’ x 42’ with concrete foundation and basement level. Prominent 6’ x 11’ cutaway porch at east side of façade with projecting front gable roof, square wood posts supported on solid wing walls and stair cheeks. Prominent corner bay window at west side of façade with projecting front gable roof and bracketed base. Square bay window at west elevation with bracketed base. Craftsman style design elements/features include: low pitched roof forms; porch and bay window features; narrow horizontal cedar cladding; multiple kneebraces at main roof, porch and bay windows; exposed rafter ends, wide barge boards and roof overhangs. Distinctive stucco and faux half-timbered treatment in gable ends. Original cottage windows at corner bay and side bay had upper sash with small multi-pane pattern; they have been replaced with a similar wooden product. Original multi-pane accent sash at attic windows remain in place. |
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