| Historic Name: |
Beck, Nemias B., House #2 |
Common Name: |
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| Style: |
Arts & Crafts - Craftsman |
Neighborhood: |
University |
| Built By: |
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Year Built: |
1910 |
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| Significance |
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In the opinion of the survey, this property is located in a potential historic districe (National and/or local). |
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Based on field work conducted in October 2014, this historic property retains its relationship to the streetscape, historic building form and a sufficient amount of exterior historic building fabric (design features, cladding and/or window sash/openings) to contribute to the distinct character of the University Park neighborhood.
This house was built by Nemias B. Beck, who was likely related to William W. Beck, who developed Ravenna Park and nearby property. It occupies a large, desirable site at the end of the block, immediately adjacent to Ravenna Park. It is part of an area developed by the Reverend William W. Beck, which includes larger lots and somewhat older houses than in the University Park and Thompson's additions to the south. In 1889, the Reverend William W. Beck, a Presbyterian minister, and his wife Louise purchased a large tract of land adjacent to the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railway right-of-way, which opened up this area in 1887. The Becks platted most of their land as the town of Ravenna, after the Italian city of that name. In the early 1890s, the Becks, who also founded the nearby Seattle Female College, decided to develop the wooded ravine as a private park called Ravenna Park. The City acquired the park in 1911 through condemnation proceedings. This house was located close to the streetcar tracks on 15th Avenue NE.
Nemias B. Beck was an insurance agent and real estate developer. He lived in the adjacent house at 5825 16th Avenue NE from 1907 until 1912.
Past owners included Ada Brueggerhoff, in the 1920s and Frank M. Smith, Jr., who purchased the house in 1945 The current owners, Ralph and Colleen Rosinbum, have owned the house since 1958. Ralph Rosinbum was the University of Washington's opera director from 1950 to 1996. Rosinbum wrote several plays and received many awards for his work in opera and children's theater.
This house is significant as one of the Beck family residences in the area and is unusual in its style. It was likely developed as a second house on a large lot owned by the Beck family that included the house at 5825 16th Avenue NE.
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| Appearance |
| The Beck house is a two-story wood frame residence with a full length porch and clad with brick veneer at the lower level and wood shingles on the upper story. The porch railing has been changed, and several windows on the lower level, north and west elevations are new. Most of the windows are double-hung with multiple panes and leaded glass on the upper sash. A stained glass window is located on the second floor, north end of the east elevation. The house includes Craftsman details such as prominent brackets, exposed roof rafters, and a relatively low-pitched gable roof, with cross gables and multiple gables. It is an unusual design and features a full-width front porch supported by square columns on broad brick pier bases. A small Palladian window is on the attic floor under the gable on the east (main) and west elevations. There is also a Palladian window on the north side of the house, second floor level.
An updated greenhouse on the south side and deck addition designed by Chris Hanson were built in 1983.
The house sits on a very large lot with a tennis court. The site is attractively landscaped with large trees and blends in well with Ravenna Park, which is immediately north of the property. |
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| Status: |
Yes - Hold |
| Classication: |
Building |
District Status: |
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| Cladding(s): |
Brick, Shingle |
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 |
| Unit Theme(s): |
Architecture/Landscape Architecture |
| Integrity |
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Changes to Plan: |
Slight |
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Changes to Windows: |
Slight |
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Changes to Original Cladding: |
Slight |
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| Major Bibliographic References |
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City of Seattle DCLU Microfilm Records.
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King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives.
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Polk's Seattle Directories, 1890-1996.
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City of Seattle. Survey of City-Owned Historic Resources. Prepared by Cathy Wickwire, Seattle, 2001. Forms for Ravenna Park structures.
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