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Summary for 1433 34th AVE / Parcel ID 7152200255 / Inv # CA001

Historic Name: Olsen-Nicholson Signal Station Common Name: Madrona Auto Inc.
Style: Spanish - Mission Neighborhood: Madrona
Built By: Year Built: 1930
 
Significance
In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the National Register of Historic Places.
In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance.
This is one of the very few pre-World War II service stations in Seattle that retains its architectural integrity and is still clearly recognizable as a service station. Its stucco-clad Mission Revival style is relatively uncommon in the Pacific Northwest. The building is also notable for its siting in a residential neighborhood, a reminder that early gas stations were smaller and more numerous that those of later years, and were often located in small commercial/residential districts rather than concentrated on arterials. It was built in 1930 as a Signal Oil station, and later became a Gulf Oil station. New underground fuel tanks were installed in 1949. It was vacant for some time and is now used as an art gallery and studio. The garage building at the rear is used as storage and office space.
 
Appearance
This service station complex consists of two buildings, both clad in stucco in the Mission Revival style. The front building has a back room (now used as an art gallery) and a marquee extending across the driveway to the island that originally held the gas pumps. Toward the rear on each side is a restroom door, sheltered by a low stucco wall. The garage/workroom building at the rear retains the original entry door, metal sash and large garage opening. The multipaned garage door appears to be old but may not be the original. Both the garage door opening and the driveway entry have rounded corners typical of the style. Windows are multilight metal sash and appear to be original. Although the pumps are gone, the rest of the structure remains largely intact. The 1937 Assessor's photo indicates that both buildings originally had vigas, log-like rafters along the cornice line that are common in the Mission Revival style; these have been removed.

Detail for 1433 34th AVE / Parcel ID 7152200255 / Inv # CA001

Status: Yes - Inventory
Classication: Building District Status:
Cladding(s): Stucco Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured
Roof Type(s): Flat Roof Material(s): Unknown
Building Type: Transportation - Road- Related Plan: Rectangular
Structural System: Steel No. of Stories: one
Unit Theme(s): Transportation
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.

Photo collection for 1433 34th AVE / Parcel ID 7152200255 / Inv # CA001


Photo taken Sep 06, 2001

Photo taken

Photo taken
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