Seattle.gov Home Page
Link to Seattle Department of Neighborhoods home page

Seattle Historical Sites

New Search

Summary for 114 HARVARD AVE / Parcel ID 600300-2055 / Inv # 0

Historic Name: unknown Common Name: unknown
Style: Colonial - Colonial Revival Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
Built By: Year Built: 1904
 
Significance

This house, built in 1904, is typical of the houses that once occupied most of this neighborhood.   This vicinity near Broadway was one of the first sections of Capitol Hill to develop.  It was platted by David T. Denny, the trustee for the estate of John Nagle, who filed the donation claim for the area.  In 1891 a streetcar line was extended from James Street, running north on Broadway to the city limits at E. Lynn Street, with direct service to downtown added on Pike Street in 1901.  Another major impetus to local development was the 1903 completion of Seattle (later Broadway) High School, the city’s first modern high school, which was located at the corner of Broadway and E. Pine Street.  Students came from throughout Seattle and even from across Lake Washington to attend.  Broadway, already an important street, flourished with new businesses, especially those catering to students, such as sandwich shops. By 1910 the area was largely developed, with small commercial buildings, numerous apartment buildings and single family homes such as this one.  Further apartment and commercial development occurred in the 1920s, when the Broadway district boomed to become one of the city’s premier shopping venues. 

The Great Depression of the 1930s led to general stagnation, and the neighborhood changed significantly after World War II.  Broadway High School closed in 1946, replaced by Edison Technical School, a vocational training institution.  Many houses such as this one became rentals, often being converted to multifamily or being replaced by institutional uses.  The 1980s brought new development, as people returned to live in city neighborhoods. The Broadway district is now thriving with new stores and apartment buildings. 

 
Appearance
This 2-1/2 story house is rectangular in plan and of wood frame construction.  Original detail was either removed in the installation of the current cladding, asbestos shingles, or has been covered.  The house has a front gable form with gabled dormers on the side elevations.  Additions have been added to the rear of the dormers. The projecting front porch has a flat roof with brackets supported by two groups of four columns.  A recessed porch with two pairs of columns is in the gable end on the third floor, with a semi-circular window above it. The front entry is quite ornate, with a one-light wood door with leaded glass sidelights and transoms. Flanking the front porch are two two-story hexagonal three-sided bays with one-over-one and fixed-pane vinyl sash. The other windows are similar. 

Detail for 114 HARVARD AVE / Parcel ID 600300-2055 / Inv # 0

Status: No - Altered
Classication: Building District Status:
Cladding(s): Shingle - Concrete/Asbestos Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured
Roof Type(s): Gable Roof Material(s): Asphalt/Composition
Building Type: Domestic - Single Family Plan: Rectangular
Structural System: Balloon Frame/Platform Frame No. of Stories: two & ½
Unit Theme(s): Architecture/Landscape Architecture
Integrity
Changes to Plan: Slight
Changes to Windows: Extensive
Changes to Original Cladding: Extensive
Major Bibliographic References
Williams, Jacqueline B. The Hill with a Future: Seattle's Capitol Hill 1900-1946. Seattle: CPK Ink, 2001.
King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives.

Photo collection for 114 HARVARD AVE / Parcel ID 600300-2055 / Inv # 0


Photo taken Jul 11, 2010
App v2.0.1.0