Seattle Historical Sites

This complex is closely associated with the early development of West Seattle. It was built in 1910 for the Seattle Lighting Company, which provided gas lighting to the neighborhood. The brick barn and carriage house are unusual in Seattle. The facility was closed after electricity became the primary lighting source, and in the late 1930s the building was a branch office of the Works Progress Administration, a federal Depression relief program. In 1941, the office building (on the corner) was remodeled into the West Home Funeral Chapel; in 2001, it was remodeled again for use as a dental office. The brick barn became a residence. The brick carriage house appears relatively unaltered and is now an expresso cafe. Despite its alterations, the complex retains many original features and much of its original historic character.

The 1941 remodeling of the main building involved adding a large arched window to the north gable end and replacing the large display windows along California Avenue with smaller windows. The architect was William R. Grant, who, at about the same time, designed the Naval reserve armory on Lake Union (a designated City of Seattle landmark). 

This complex consists of a main building, a carriage house and a residence, surrounding a courtyard/parking area. They occupy a quarter block and are surrounded by a black wrought iron fence with brick columns. Cladding is red beveled brick with decorative brick inserts in the gable ends. The parapet and the eastern section have terra cotta coping.

The main building is rectangular with two gabled sections meeting at the northwest corner.  At the corner is a large gabled parapet with terra cotta coping and an oversized divided light arched window. To the east, under a suspended canopy, is the main entry, through double doors. Other windows have divided light wood sash and are placed high on the wall.