Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 402 15th AVE / Parcel ID 4232400670 / Inv # CH002

Historic Name: Fire Station #7 Common Name: Fire Station #7 Style: Tudor Neighborhood: Capitol Hill Built By: Daniel R. Huntington Year Built: 1920   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 building is significant both architecturally and as one of Seattle's early fire stations. It was built in 1920, replacing an earlier fire station in the rapidly-developing east Capitol Hill neighborhood. Its Tudoresque style and level of detail are unusual, making it very compatible with the small-scale business district and surrounding homes and apartment buildings. The exterior is very intact, including the distinctive arched fire doors. The building was surplused as a fire station in 1970, and was used for some time to house social service agencies. During this period it was commonly known as Earthstation 7. It is now in commercial use. This station is typical of the work of Daniel R. Huntington, one of Seattle's most prominent and prolific early-20th Century architects. He arrived in Seattle in 1904-05, after working as an architectural apprentice in Denver and New York. He entered into partnership (1907-1909) with James Schack, with whom he designed several prominent buildings (including the Morrison Hotel and the Delamar Apartments) as well as residences. He later formed brief partnerships with Carl Gould (1910-1912) and Arthur Loveless (1912-1914).4 However, his major work during this time was as city architect, a position he held from 1912 until 192. During this time he designed at least ten fire stations as well as libraries and utility buildings. These works were distinguished by his use of a wide variety of styles, their extensive detailing, and their compatibility with the surrounding neighborhoods. Among his most notable municipal works are the Fremont library, the Like Union Steam Plant, and the Wallingford Fire and Police Station, all of which are designated city landmarks. After leaving the city, he continued in private practice until the depression, completing such important works as the Daughters of the American revolution Chapter House on Capitol Hill and the Piedmont Apartments. At the end of World War II he worked for two years at Washington State University, before retiring in 1947. He died in Seattle in 1962.   Appearance This two-story rectangular building is clad with red brick with terra cotta accents. Brick pilasters at each corner provide strong vertical elements. The most notable features are the two arched fire doors which originally provided access for the fire engines. Each of the two doorways has double arched wooden doors with nine lights in the upper portion; the doors are attached with large wrought iron hinges. Between the two doorways is a large terra cotta cartouche in the shape of a shield. Above each doorway is a round brick arch, with a second pointed Tudor arch above that with decorative brickwork filling in the space between the two arches. The keystones are terra cotta tiles, which are repeated above the second floor windows the second floor. Above and between the doors is a large terra cotta cartouche. The second floor has three 6-over-1 double-hung windows with concrete sills; similar windows are on the other elevations. A wide band of cream-colored terra cotta runs just below the cornice, with large terra cotta tiles topping the columns at each corner of the building.

Detail for 402 15th AVE / Parcel ID 4232400670 / Inv # CH002

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: Cladding(s): Brick Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured Roof Type(s): Flat with Parapet Roof Material(s): Unknown Building Type: Government - Fire Station Plan: Rectangular Structural System: Masonry - Unreinforced No. of Stories: two Unit Theme(s): Architecture/Landscape Architecture, Politics/Government/Law Integrity Changes to Plan: Intact Changes to Windows: Intact Changes to Original Cladding: Intact 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. Ochsner, Jeffrey Karl, ed. Shaping Seattle Architecture, A Historical Guide to the Architects. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1994.

Photo collection for 402 15th AVE / Parcel ID 4232400670 / Inv # CH002

Photo taken Jul 30, 2001