Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 10331-10333 Aurora AVE / Parcel ID 6145600605 / Inv # AU007

Historic Name: North Park Furniture & Variety Store Common Name: Classy Nails & Tanning Style: Commercial, Vernacular Neighborhood: Aurora-Licton Built By: Year Built: 1926   Significance In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance. The Interurban train stopped at North Park, two blocks west of Aurora Avenue at North 103rd Street and Evanston. Oak Lake Elementary School was across the street. Accordingly, this area became a focus of development in the 1920s. Seattle's population growth in the first decades of the 20th century spurred tremendous development in the 1920s, and the convenience of the interurban brought new houses to this location far past the city limits at 85th Street. A number of brick-clad buildings replaced the early wood structures; this is the only intact building in this area remaining from that period. Most were demolished or significantly altered after Aurora became part of the nationwide highway development phenomenon, one section in the Pacific Highway from Canada to Mexico with completion in 1932 of the bridge over the Lake Washington Ship Canal. The increasing presence of the automobile meant construction of numerous businesses to serve travelers and auto-related needs. This building is somewhat unusual as it was for many years the North Park Furniture and Variety Store, serving local residents rather than travelers. Most such stores closed in the 1960s-70s after people began driving to larger stores and malls like Northgate.   Appearance This rectangular building is clad in wirecut brick in shades of beige and red; rosettes indicate that it has been seismically reinforced. The parapet arches over each of the two storefronts. The storefronts are intact with wood sash and doors, leaded transoms and tile bulkheads and entryways. The upper portion of the building is ornamented with cast stone shield medallions, now hidden behind signs. Rear windows are a mixture of one-over-one wood sash and newer aluminum sash. A newer canopy has been added.

Detail for 10331-10333 Aurora AVE / Parcel ID 6145600605 / Inv # AU007

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: Cladding(s): Brick Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured Roof Type(s): Flat Roof Material(s): Unknown Building Type: Commercial/Trade - Specialty store Plan: Rectangular Structural System: Balloon Frame/Platform Frame No. of Stories: one Unit Theme(s): Commerce Integrity Changes to Plan: Intact Changes to Windows: Intact Changes to Original Cladding: Intact Major Bibliographic References King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives. Polk's Seattle Directories, 1890-1996. Sheridan, Mimi and Carol Tobin. Licton Springs History, 2001.

Photo collection for 10331-10333 Aurora AVE / Parcel ID 6145600605 / Inv # AU007

Photo taken Aug 12, 2002