| Historic Name: |
Joseph Kehrmann House |
Common Name: |
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| Style: |
Arts & Crafts - Craftsman |
Neighborhood: |
Fremont |
| Built By: |
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Year Built: |
1913 |
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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 located in Steel Works Addition (platted September 1889 by Anna H. and J. W. Clise) and was constructed in 1913 during a period of intense historic residential development in the district. The original building permit (#124360) was issued on July 7, 1913 to Joe Kehrmann for the construction of frame residence measuring ‘28 x 50’ with an estimated construction cost of $2,600. The permit application identified F.M. Skinner as the builder and applicant and Joe Kehrmann as the owner. Mr. Skinner was identified as the architect; however, the standardized plan and design appears to have been derived from a popular planbook source. Frank M. Skinner was a Wisconsin-born building contractor who primarily resided and worked in Ballard. He migrated to Washington State, first living in Dayton, in 1889. His obituary was published in the Seattle Times on Dec. 13, 1944; it stated that he was active in the construction trade until c.1930 and that he was responsible for the construction of over 200 houses located in the Ballard area. Joseph Kehrmann was a German-born saloon keeper (saloon located at 5136 Ballard Avenue) and proprietor of a wine and liquor company. In 1900, Kehrmann was a saloon keeper in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; it is not known when he moved to Seattle. Prior to having this house built in 1913 and then residing here, he and his wife Othilla were residing at 334 NW 41st St. It is unclear how long the Kehrmanns resided at the subject property, at least for 3-4 years. By 1920, he was working as a manager of a laundry company – no doubt due to prohibition and the U.S. census recorded them as living at their former address. King County property tax records indicate that the house was sold to H.J. Christoffers on 5-17-1926. By 1956, the gable end ornament had been removed.
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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. Generally well-preserved, one story, wood-frame, single-family residence constructed in 1913; includes some habitable attic areas. Exhibits distinctive Craftsman Bungalow style design elements/features. Cross gable building form w/ prominent front gable over full width cutaway porch. Slightly flared ridge at gable ends. Measures approx. 28’ x 50’ with concrete foundation and basement level. Prominent 7’ x 28’ full width cutaway porch at façade under projecting front gable roof; exhibits brick masonry base, square wood posts accentuated by stepped caps and an open balustrade/guardrail. Square bay window at east elevation. Craftsman style design elements/features include: low pitched/flared roof forms; porch features; narrow horizontal cedar cladding; distinctive slender kneebraces at gable ends; wide/cut-out type barge boards and wide eaves & roof overhangs. Stucco cladding at gable ends. Original ornate leaded-glass cottage windows and sidelights remain in place at main and side elevations. Set of front gable end windows are casement type with 4/1 multi-pane pattern; they include deep entablature header. Distinctive original gable end ornament is missing from all of the gable ends; all of the gable ends were originally accentuated by a prominent vertical slat gable trim element supported by additional slender kneebraces. Brick fireplace located at west elevation. A horizontal row of small brackets that accentuated the top of the porch opening has also been removed. An older one-car garage designed in character with the house is located on the site. |
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