| Historic Name: |
Waters Grocery |
Common Name: |
Flowers Boxes, Etc. |
| Style: |
Commercial |
Neighborhood: |
Greenwood/Phinney |
| Built By: |
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Year Built: |
1925 |
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| Significance |
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This small building is significant as it appears to be the only remaining commercial building from the early days of development on Greenwood Avenue North. Greenwood was an important street in the early years of the 20th century, as it provided direct access to the northern part of the county. It was the first long street to be paved by the city, perhaps to facilitate the commute of the many prominent residents who lived in The Highalnds, a private development at 145th Street. The road was once called Country Club Road, as it went to the Seattle Golf Club at The Highlands. With completion of the Aurora Bridge in 1932, Aurora became the major route, and Greenwood became primarily residential. It was widened at least twice, demolishing most of the older buildings and the row of poplar trees that once lined each side.
Greenwood Avenue had several corner grocery stores, at 105th, 112th, 115th, 125th and 145th streets. This one, Waters' Grocery, was the most successful because of its delivery service and its realtionships with specialty stores such as Sandy's Fish Market at 105th Street. The owners, S. E. Waters and his family, had a reputation as generous storekeepers who would often supply food even when a family's account was overdue. Another business in the building was Snider's Sundries, which remained until at least the 1960s. The building currently houses a florist.
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| Appearance |
| This simple commercial building has three storefronts, topped with two stepped gabled parapets; the northern one is slightly higher due to the slope of the lot. Cladding is brick on the front, with vinyl siding on the other elevations. The vinyl replaced the asphalt brick that was installed over clapboard in 1952. The east and south elevations have a narrow canopy roofed with red tile; it is supported by large decorative brackets. The storefronts are original, with recessed entries, wood doors and wood sash with transoms. At the rear is a flat-roofed section used as a residence; the tile-roofed canopy extends across this section, which now has vinyl siding and windows. Early photos show a balustrade on the roofline along the south elevation; this was removed long ago. |
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| Status: |
Yes - Inventory |
| Classication: |
Building |
District Status: |
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| 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 |
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Changes to Plan: |
Intact |
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Changes to Windows: |
Slight |
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| Major Bibliographic References |
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Dubrow, Gail Lee, Alexa Berlow and Cathy Tuttle. Broadview/Bitter Lake Community History. Seattle Parks Department, 1995.
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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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Phelps, Myra L. Public Works in Seattle 1875-1975. Seattle: Seattle Engineering Department, 1978.
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