Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 6508 Ravenna AVE / Parcel ID 7169200015 / Inv # RO007

Historic Name: Van's Garage Common Name: Jim's Body Shop Style: Commercial Neighborhood: Roosevelt Built By: Year Built: 1920   Significance In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance. This is one of the most intact of Seattle's early neighborhood gas stations/repair garages, and one which has remained in the same use for more than eighty years. It was built in 1920, when autos were becoming more common and gas stations began appearing on major streets throughout the city. In 1937 this was known as Van's Garage; A. E. Van Arum had purchased in 1923, shortly after its opening. It was primarily an auto service facility, but also sold Gilmore gas. The 1937 tax photo indicates that it did not have the typical service station island configuration, but a single pump just outside the service bay. It remained Van's Garage until through the 1950s, and has been Jim's Body Shop since the early 1960s. The current owner, Julius James Crippan, appears to have operated the business in the 1950s and changed the name to Jim's Body Shop; he has owned the building since at least 1971.   Appearance This is s simple wood-frame building with a stepped false front parapet and shiplap siding on the front façade. The side elevation has asbestos siding. The side windows have been replaced with newer metal sash, but the large wood-framed multipane windows that cover the front of the building remain as they were in the 1937 photos (although they may have been replaced in kind). The garage bay door is older, although not original.

Detail for 6508 Ravenna AVE / Parcel ID 7169200015 / Inv # RO007

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: Cladding(s): Wood - Drop siding Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured Roof Type(s): Flat Roof Material(s): Building Type: Transportation - Road- Related Plan: Rectangular Structural System: Balloon Frame/Platform Frame No. of Stories: one Unit Theme(s): Commerce, Transportation Integrity Changes to Plan: Intact Changes to Windows: Slight 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 6508 Ravenna AVE / Parcel ID 7169200015 / Inv # RO007

Photo taken Aug 19, 2001