March 27th, 2008 @ 1:25 am by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings
One of the
very first historic Seattle homes I profiled (see
that original post for exterior shots) here at Vintage Seattle was 1522 E. Jefferson. I was interested in this property for a number of reasons. First of all, it was right across the street from my house. I saw it every day, glaring with neglect and some amazing potential bubbling from under the surface. The other reason was that the home is historically significant — it was once home to
George Carmack, one of the fathers of the
Klondike Gold Rush. The exterior was so intriguing that Vintage Seattle reader Daniel Sheldon and I recently saddled up to gain access to the home. It smelled of mothballs, looked like the set of a horror film, and was a really interesting time capsule. You can see just how great this home once was, with alterations being few and far between. Have a look for yourself. I’ve got more photos, so I’m breaking this into Part 1 today showing the first floor. Check out
Part 2 for more photos of the second and third floors. Click on the thumbnails for higher-res versions.
|
|
|
This stairwell and millwork are revealed as you enter the home.
|
The view from the front living area. Notice the fireplace detail.
|
|
|
|
Close-up of the incredible hardware.
|
Paint chips away from the molding. MDF, this is not.
|
|
|
|
The formal dining room, looking toward the back of the home.
|
Opposite angle of the dining room, looking toward the front of the home. Interesting place for a toilet.
|
|
|
|
Dining room light fixture.
|
The pocket doors leading to the dining room are in remarkably good shape.
|
|
|
|
This room was either used as an eating area or family room.
|
Among the kitchen’s built-in cabinets is this later-era sink.
|
|
|
|
Close-up of the kitchen sink.
|
A peek inside the kitchen drawers.
|
|
|
|
This large piano sits in the front living room.
|
Some keys are permanently depressed.
|
|
|
|
The front reception area showing mill work, looking into the living area.
|
Opposite angle of the room outside the small kitchen.
|
|
|
|
12-over-1 double hung sash in late day light.
|
The first floor hardwoods.
|
|
|
|
Light filters in through the front door.
|
A few stained-glass windows decorate the ground floor.
|
|
|
|
Another look at the trim from the kitchen doorway.
|
Close-up of kitchen light fixture.
|
RSS 2.0 Feed.
You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
March 27th, 2008 @ 9:41 am
this looks like the amount of wear the house in Fight Club had while “they” were living in it
Marvelous! I love all your photos!
March 27th, 2008 @ 10:54 am
Absolutely amazing! How in the world can a place become so consistently and completely dilapidated? It’s hard to imagine the last tenants living in such an environment, but fun to think how it looked in its full glory. Any idea when it was last occupied? Is it for sale or are there any plans for restoration? I hope Part 2 will include some exterior shots.
March 27th, 2008 @ 11:23 am
Paging the hosts from This Old House!
March 27th, 2008 @ 11:54 am
Wow. The power was on?
It’s sad that this house is taking up valuable potential generic-condo building site. Kidding, of course.
March 27th, 2008 @ 12:03 pm
Wow. Amazing house, so many untouched original details. This desperately needs restoration by someone who has a clue. What’s the current status of the place?
March 27th, 2008 @ 2:20 pm
Richard:
From what I heard, it was last occupied 2 or 3 years ago by an old woman who died there. But, I don’t see how someone living there 2 or 3 years ago is even possible. I suspect the person from the estate that I spoke to had some bad information. I’ll update more on the current status of the property when I post tonight.
Exterior shots are in the original post I made, months back:
http://www.vintageseattle.org/2007/05/31/profile-1522-e-jefferson-in-squire-park/
Cliffe
March 27th, 2008 @ 3:59 pm
Gorgeous photos!
I swear I used to see a light on in the dininr room sometimes when I was waiting for the bus across the sreet, though, so I thought it was occupied fairly recently. Though how anyone could live there like that seems rather unlikely, you’re right.
XOXO,
Your Partner in Crime
March 27th, 2008 @ 9:48 pm
Wonderful details - great photos. I’d love to walk thru the house to compare with my 1904 house details.
Sadly, it looks like it may be tore down and replaced at some point. A company called Jefferson Towers LLC has purchased all the property on that side of the street. Looks like they’ve bought not only this house but also all the property from Providence that fronted Jefferson…..sad day indeed if that happens.
March 30th, 2008 @ 12:13 am
so beautiful, even in decline. [looks quite restorable, though.]
i kind of understand the context — there’s a huge hospital complex bearing down on the site, eh? but this just makes me sad. this place spans the entire 20th century, surviving the last few years against all odds… you’d think it wouldn’t be this difficult, saving a house like this.
March 31st, 2008 @ 12:49 am
Cliffe wrote: “From what I heard, it was last occupied 2 or 3 years ago by an old woman who died there. But, I don’t see how someone living there 2 or 3 years ago is even possible.”
I can definitely see someone living there with it in that condition. When I bought my home it was beyond disgusting and the previous owner had only moved out several months before. There were still dishes in the cupboards with food on that had been there so long it had turned to soil.
March 31st, 2008 @ 12:53 am
Actually, this house is cleaner than mine was…
July 28th, 2008 @ 2:05 pm
Just wondering how you gained access to the house? I’d love to have a look as well. Very cool. Thanks!
December 31st, 2008 @ 7:46 am
This is a fascinating set of photos. Yes, there was an elderly woman who lived in this house until she died several years ago. She loved this house and wanted it listed on the National Register. Older people sometimes lose their minds, you know? When I was trying to get some photos of the place about 5 years ago, the place was enveloped with blackberries and the porch had been covered up with non-historic materials. It is wonderful to actually be able to see the inside of the historic house and see how intact it is.
I hope the news about the house being sold is not true. It is ripe for levelling, given its location. Think of all the beautiful old growth wood trim alone that exists in that place. I wish a group of professionals desiring office space would relocate there, after a clean-up and rehab effort. There are tax credits for things like this (income-producing properties). What a showplace.
February 6th, 2009 @ 10:59 pm
I saw an article about the house today on the KOMO website. It said that thieves broke in and stripped the house of 95% of it’s original woodwork and fixtures. I am heartbroken over this. This house is an important link to Seattles past and is mentioned on the NPS website for the Goldrush National Park. I am a sucker for old houses and this one was spectacular inside. Thank you for taking such detailed pictures. I could see life in the worn paper and crackled paint. I hope the community can save it from the wrecking ball but with the damage done by (expletive) lowlife thieves it will now be harder than ever. I hope that SPD can catch the rats but with the house listed by the real estate company as a tear down chances are they won’t put too much emphasis on this crime.
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/39246317.html
February 20th, 2009 @ 10:53 pm
I love old houses and condominiums, and to see such an old historic building demolished would be just unacceptable. Restoring the house to its original “like new” condition would give the old house new life. I’ve seen too many old buildings in the Seattle area being demolished in favour of new houses and buildings. That’s not right. Unless it has been destroyed by fire and cannot be restored, I see no reason why such buildings cannot be fixed up and sold to whoever wants to buy it. Or if it’s an old business building, it should be restored and used for something different.