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Summary for 1501 E JEFFERSON ST E / Parcel ID 7942601150 / Inv # 0

Historic Name: Common Name:
Style: American Foursquare Neighborhood: Central Area
Built By: Year Built: 1902
 
Significance
This is a "Seattle Box" or "Classic Box" exhibiting a high degree of integrity despite a number of minor alterations and conversion from single family to duplex use.

This is one of approximately 2,200 houses that are still extant out of more than 5,000 that were built by the end of 1906 in Seattle’s Central Area, Eastlake, First Hill, Leschi, Madison Park, Madrona, and North Capitol Hill neighborhoods.

A complete permit history, and a complete record of ownership and occupation have not yet been prepared for this property.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

King County GIS Center Property Report (http://www5.kingcounty.gov/kcgisreports/property_report.aspx; accessed August 19, 2008)

King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972) Washington State Archives



 
Appearance
This house was built in 1902 according to both the King County Property Record Card and the King County GIS Center Property Report. According to the King County Property Record Card, the house was remodeled in 1927; however, the extent of the work undertaken at that time is not indicated.

According to historian Marilyn Sullivan, “This is [Fred] Fehren's design #172, which costs $2,400 to build. Featured in 'The Coast' in August of 1905, it is a splendid example of the American Foursquare elaborated with Prairie style and classical details.” She also writes that “This American Foursquare is a patternbook design by Fred Fehren's architecture company. It is very nearly Prairie style with its low hipped roof with wide open eaves, hipped second floor corner bays and strong horizontal lines. The strong lines of the house contrast a decorative floriform window and frieze in the center of the second floor. The porch is inset on the northeast corner of the house and the northwest corner of the house is cut away to form a bay window. Three fat columns seem to support the porch and the cutaway corner.”

The structure is a "Seattle Box" or "Classic Box" design incorporating Queen Anne window sash patterns and oversize Doric columns borrowed from Shingle style work with early twentieth century design elements including Craftsman detailing at the roof (exposed rafter tails) and the horizontal emphasis of the Prairie style. The designer referred to this style as "Spanish Colonial."

The King County Property Record Card suggests that the structure was converted from single family to duplex use at some point after 1937 but prior to the mid 1970s.
However, there have been two doors at the entry porch since at least 1937, suggesting that the conversion may have occurred in the 1927 remodel. It appears a shed roofed porch has been added at the back of the structure. One window has been altered, another appears to have been added at the base of the structure. The entry steps have been rebuilt, the sidewalls removed, and metal railings added.

There is a second structure at the site, built in 1942 according to the King County GIS Center Property Report; however, this structure was not observed by the surveyor.

Detail for 1501 E JEFFERSON ST E / Parcel ID 7942601150 / Inv # 0

Status: Yes - Inventory
Classication: Building District Status:
Cladding(s): Wood, Wood - Drop siding Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured
Roof Type(s): Hip Roof Material(s): Asphalt/Composition-Shingle
Building Type: Domestic - Single Family Plan: Rectangular
Structural System: Balloon Frame/Platform Frame No. of Stories: two
Unit Theme(s): Architecture/Landscape Architecture
Integrity
Changes to Plan: Moderate
Changes to Windows: Slight
Changes to Original Cladding: Slight
Changes to Interior: Unknown
Major Bibliographic References

Photo collection for 1501 E JEFFERSON ST E / Parcel ID 7942601150 / Inv # 0


Photo taken Jun 20, 2008

Photo taken Jun 20, 2008

Photo taken Jun 20, 2008

Photo taken Jun 20, 2008
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