Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 2001 S GRAND ST S / Parcel ID 3881900470 / Inv #

Historic Name: Common Name: Style: Vernacular Neighborhood: North Rainier Valley Built By: Year Built: 1961   Significance Built in 1961, this building was owned by W. W. Grainger and used for wholesale purposes to sell electric meters through 1968. Tax records indicate a Kirkland based architecture firm designed the building. The North Rainier Valley consists of a depression created by glaciation between the ridges of Beacon Hill and Mount Baker. The valley derives its name from Mount Rainier because of stunning views of the mountain. The area’s growth followed the early streetcar line, which was completed to Columbia City in 1890. The North Rainier Valley includes the area north of Columbia City and contained many early vegetable farms. Commercial development followed along the streetcar line, with housing built nearby. During the first decades of the 20th century, the area between Massachusetts and Atlantic Streets was home to Seattle’s largest Italian enclave, “Garlic Gulch.” Dugdale Ball Park opened on the corner of Rainier Avenue and McClellan Street in 1913, and was succeeded by Sick’s Stadium in 1938. World War II precipitated a surge in housing development, including the public housing project, Rainier Vista, in 1943. Following the war, the area attracted a mix of African-Americans, Asians, and Filipinos. Today this diverse, low-to-middle income neighborhood is unique within Seattle with its long narrow form focused on the Rainier Avenue transportation corridor.   Appearance Built in 1961, this utilitarian warehouse stands on a rectangular corner lot. The building is oriented to South Grand Street on a flat site at street level. This 4400 square foot, single-story building features a rectangular plan, measuring approximately 55’ by 80’. A poured concrete foundation supports the concrete frame, brick-clad superstructure. A flat roof shelters the building. A band of rowlock brick wraps the building above the window headers and at the top of the parapet. Large elevated windows with metal guards provide day lighting. The building represents one of the older and more intact warehouses within the North Rainier Valley.

Detail for 2001 S GRAND ST S / Parcel ID 3881900470 / Inv #

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: Cladding(s): Brick, Concrete Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured Roof Type(s): Flat Roof Material(s): Unknown Building Type: Commercial/Trade - Warehouse Plan: Rectangular Structural System: Concrete - Block No. of Stories: one Unit Theme(s): Integrity Changes to Windows: Slight Changes to Plan: Intact Changes to Original Cladding: Intact Major Bibliographic References City of Seattle DCLU Microfilm Records. King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives. Polk's Seattle Directories, 1890-1996. City of Seattle. Survey of City-Owned Historic Resources. Prepared by Cathy Wickwire, Seattle, 2001. Forms for Ravenna Park structures. Tobin, Caroline. (2004) "North Rainier Valley Historic Context Statement."

Photo collection for 2001 S GRAND ST S / Parcel ID 3881900470 / Inv #

Photo taken Dec 04, 2003 Photo taken Dec 04, 2003