Historic Buildings Archive

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Home Of The Good Shepherd

September 21st, 2009 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | 17 Comments »border
I am once again pleased to hand over writing duties today to Vintage Seattle contributor Jonathan Shipley. Today he gives us a glimpse into the House of the Good Shepherd. You can see his last piece here. Take it away, Jonathan.
“Poor children! Beaten about in the great tempest of the world, they have known nothing but suffering; they have never experienced the sweetness and charms of virtue.” - Mary Euphrasia Pelletier, Founder of the Good Shepherd Order

“The unfortunate women” lived there. “Fallen girls.” “Troubled teens.” “Wayward women.” “Keepsakes for Heaven.” It was the Home of the Good Shepherd. Piousness was of great import for the girls send there by the courts or families that knew of nowhere else to turn. Morality was taught, spirituality instilled.

Residents, in those early days, rarely left the grounds, could not excuse themselves from the nuns sharing with them those experiences of sweet virtue. Bars were in the windows. There was strict adherence to scheduled – waking, teaching, working at the laundry downstairs, eating meals, bed. Oh how coveted were those Sundays when they could have “parlor” – a time in which appropriate visitors could see them.

Routines were adhered to religiously. A former resident remembered, “We were assigned one day a week to take our bath and wash our hair. We washed our underclothes and socks every night and hung them over a bed rail. The dorm monitors would always check to see that you had washed your clothing.”

Everything was monitored. Toiletries were lined up in a specific order in their small nun-appointed cubbies. One girl at each table, during meals, was sent for food for the entire table. Butter was served only on Sundays. Nuns sat on platforms overseeing the meals, when they weren’t censoring the girls’ mail. Nuns oversaw the girls scrubbing floors, weeding the grounds, polishing woodwork, attending Mass. At the laundry, girls were assigned to shaking, sorting, pressing, folding, and packing the clothes. The commercial laundry was how the orphanage and wayward girls’ home made their money. Their major customers included the Great Northern and Northern Pacific Railroads, along with several downtown hotels. Classes were held Monday through Friday, 9 to 5, that’s if they weren’t already working the kitchen, or in the altar bread room making host for the parish, or in the sewing room making uniforms, or pursuing beautician certification, or at church services. Everything was monitored until the home officially closed for good in June of 1973.

It opened in 1890, as five Good Shepherd nuns arrived by train to Seattle. They opened an orphanage house for orphans and girls leading an immoral life on First Hill. The orphanage grew. The nuns then looked to the newly platted Wallingford and bought property. The new home was designed by the architectural firm Breitung and Buchinger (who also designed Seattle’s The Academy of the Holy Names and the Saint Alphonsus School, amongst other structions) and opened, on 4649 Sunnyside Avenue, in 1907. It housed 171 children.

Those children lived on those grounds, and went little place else. There were two wings in the building – those that were orphans and those that were wayward. They were kept apart. “There was a good side and a bad side,” remembers one resident, “the Angel Guardian side on the right as you go in and Sacred Heart side on the left. On the left side…they did the laundry and that sort of thing. There could be some real hard girls over there.”

In 1926 the orphans were transferred to a home in Laurelhurst, leaving the “Sacred Heart side.” And there they stayed, in later years, behind barbed wire, opaque windows and security systems. All the while, they worked at schooling, chores, their everlasting souls. The nuns were not to use corporal punishment, however. Good behavior was rewarded. Perhaps that meant recreation - like roller-skating, square dancing, swimming (a pool was built in 1959 that’s been since filled in), ping pong.

The 1960s saw declines on most all levels for the school. There were less girls admitted. There was less need for the commercial laundry. There was less supervision even. Some girls were even allowed to walk, unsupervised, to the University District on Saturdays. The laundry closed for good in 1970. Boeing, having given large financial donations to the Home, was having financial difficulties of their own and cut back. The maintenance of the building grew overwhelming and so they closed. Seattle bought the property in 1975, the building was transferred to Historic Seattle and is now used as a multi-purpose community center, complete with schools, non-profits, small businesses, and, sometimes, the quiet footfalls of women who once lived there themselves.

Jonathan Shipley
9/18/2009
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House of the Good Shepherd, built in 1907 as a home for “orphaned and wayward girls.” Photograph courtesy Special Collections, University Archives, University of Washington, Seattle.

The Burke Building, What We’ve Lost

July 10th, 2009 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | 5 Comments »border
On Tuesday we took a look at the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building and Dave was asking for photos of the buildings it replaced. Well, here is one: The Burke Building. Located at 2nd and Marion, it was built in 1891 and designed by architect Elmer H. Fisher. In this super high res photo you can see the building elements worked into the ground floor of the Jackson Building. Click for the full view.
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Photo shows the six-story Burke Building with many arched windows, a sign with a cross and a sign beginning with “JA.” “Burke Building” is carved into the building near the top. Photo by Werner Lenggenhager, courtesy Washington State Digital Archives.

Bittersweet Henry Jackson Federal Building

July 7th, 2009 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | 6 Comments »border
Perhaps it’s architectural relativism (what’s built today makes certain era’s buildings look not so bad) but I don’t mind the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building in itself. Taking up the whole block at 2nd and Marion, it was built in 1974. You can’t make the 1970’s Brutalism case with it and the patterned inset windows privide a nice visual relief from today’s unrelenting flatness. However, the sadness around the old Federal Building is in what was torn down to make way for it. The Burke Building, Hotel Stevens, Tivoli Theater — all significant losses to Seattle’s downtown. In the photos below you can find certain elements of the Burke Building that were worked into the grounds. This can be taken as respectful or cruel but in general chalk this one up as bittersweet. Click for higher resolution.
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Henry M. Jackson Federal Building, Seattle, Washington. Photo taken May 5, 1974 by Marion Dean Ross. Photo courtesy University of Oregon Libraries, Architecture of Oregon & the Pacific Northwest.
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Henry M. Jackson Federal Building, Seattle, Washington. Photo taken May 5, 1974 by Marion Dean Ross. Photo courtesy University of Oregon Libraries, Architecture of Oregon & the Pacific Northwest.
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Henry M. Jackson Federal Building, Seattle, Washington. Photo taken May 5, 1974 by Marion Dean Ross. Photo courtesy University of Oregon Libraries, Architecture of Oregon & the Pacific Northwest.
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Henry M. Jackson Federal Building, Seattle, Washington. Photo taken May 5, 1974 by Marion Dean Ross. Photo courtesy University of Oregon Libraries, Architecture of Oregon & the Pacific Northwest.
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Henry M. Jackson Federal Building, Seattle, Washington. Photo taken May 5, 1974 by Marion Dean Ross. Photo courtesy University of Oregon Libraries, Architecture of Oregon & the Pacific Northwest.

R.I.P. First Christian Church

June 25th, 2009 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | 4 Comments »border
Ever walk by an empty parking lot and wonder what history the site held? Well, if you’re like me then you’ve walked by this empty parking lot many times. Though it has since been developed, it once housed Broadway’s First Christian Church. The structure was damaged during the 2001 Nisqually earthquake and the high cost of repair meant the church was sold and demolished in 2005. Here’s a photo set of the demolition. Click on the thumbnail for higher res.
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First Christian Church on Broadway, Seattle, Wa. Photo by Marion Dean Ross, May 4, 1974. Photo courtesy University of Oregon Libraries, Architecture of Oregon & the Pacific Northwest.

Mann Oh Mann: Horace Mann School

June 23rd, 2009 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | 4 Comments »border
I promised Vintage Seattle reader Penny Simmons a post on Nova High School (Horace Mann) in the Central District. I’m quite late, but here we are. To see the full history of 1902 Horace Mann School, check out this pdf. Take it away, Penny:
I am the Godmother of a young lady (Brittaney) who just graduated this past year from Nova High School. Brittaney was literally “saved” from educational extinction by the incredibly dedicated and highly energized staff at Nova. When the traditional school system in Kent could not provide the learning environment for someone like Brittaney, she was kicked out of her home and came to live with us two years ago. At 15 she was NOT an educational fan and it looked like we had a major job ahead of us. Then we were blessed to find Nova through Bill Morrison, a neighbor who is a teacher in the Burien School District. Thanks to some great tips from Bill, we were able to enroll Brittaney in Nova and the rest is history. She graduated with a 3.9, received one of only 10 scholarships awarded for college, from the Seattle School District, and after completing her studies at Global College in New York, hopes to come back to Nova to teach again someday. Check out the history of the drummer in Pearl Jam - who is one of the more highlighted of Nova’s Alumni.

Nova is in a very precarious position today - as it is home to less than 400 students, and although one would never know it receives any type of funding (by going inside of the building), from the Seattle School District, they are considering closing it down.

I only express this so you can see the sincerity I present, when I ask for a highlight on your site for Nova High School.

I would LOVE to have more historic photos of this great old building. This has been the education home to some outstanding citizens of which many continue to reside in Seattle…..
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The school in 1905, then known as Walla Walla. Photo courtesy MOHAI.
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Horace Mann, 1940.
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NOVA Project @ Horace Mann, 2009.
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NOVA Project @ Horace Mann, 2009.
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NOVA Project @ Horace Mann, 2009.

Former Christian Scientist Church Nomination

June 21st, 2009 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | 2 Comments »border
West Seattle Blog is reporting that the former Christian Scientist Church at 42nd and Lander has been nominated for city landmark status. The West Seattle structure, now known as The Sanctuary at Admiral, will go before the board on July 1st at 3:30pm. Full nomination document is here. We posted a full profile of the building in October of last year. Click here to view. Click on the thumbnail for higher res.
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Front of former Christian Scientist Church in West Seattle.

Big Plans: Fire Station No. 18

June 12th, 2009 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | 4 Comments »border
We just profiled Ballard’s Fire Station 18 last week. Today, to compliment the modern day photos, we present the original 1910 architectural plans from Charles Bebb and Louis Mendel. If you compare the two, you can see that the building followed the plans relatively closely and remains true to them now. According to the University of Washington Special Collections Division, the modified medieval Germanic style was designed in response to the large number of northern European and Scandinavian residents in the Ballard during the early 1900’s. Click on the image for the super-higher res copy.
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Architectural plans for Fire Station 18. Architects Charles Bebb and Louis Mendel, 1910. Image courtesy University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections Division.

Ballard’s Fire Station No. 18

June 4th, 2009 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | 6 Comments »border
Ballard’s Fire Station No. 18 had been in continuous use for 63 years before being retired by the city in 1976. The 1911 Germanic Revival brick structure was designed by famed Seattle architects Bebb & Mendel. This incredible space now houses one of my favorite restaurants in the city, The Hi-Life. Check it out for the food and the history. While you’re in the neighborhood, you can cross the street to admire the Carnegie Free Library. Click on the photos for higher resolution.
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Fire Station No. 18, front.
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Building edge and overhanging eaves.
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What remains of the original bell tower. The building is now used as a restaurant and office space.
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Closer view, showing restaraunt seating.
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Illuminated sign.
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The station originally used horse-drawn engines.

A.Y.P.E’s Foreign And Mines Buildings

May 20th, 2009 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | 7 Comments »border
Don Duncan had a nice recap of the nearly century old Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, written in scrapbook form for his late grandmother who had seen it herself. We’re getting close now to that anniversary. Here are a couple photos of the Foreign Building and Mines Building. Click for high res.
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Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition. Detail of Foreign Building, Howard and Galloway, Architects, Schock and Huntington, Associate Architects. Detail of Mines Building, Howard and Galloway, Architects. Photos by F.H. Nowell. The Western Architect, July 1909.

Forgotten Capitol Hill Mansion Pt. 2

May 12th, 2009 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | 18 Comments »border
Today we are marching on with Part 2 of our Forgotten Capitol Hill Mansion feature. If you missed yesterday’s Part 1, click here. The owner estimates that it will take 6 months to make this 1926 North Capitol Hill Mediterranean Revival mansion livable. That would include repairing the roof, removing overgrowth vegetation touching the house, repairing windows and leaks, new boiler, kitchen work, bathroom work and paint. Other changes will come in time, but he stressed to me that every effort will be made to retain the restore the original features. The first owner of the home was said to be a rum-runner during prohibition — though that is just a rumor. Fueling the rumor, though, is an 8′ x 10′ room in the basement of the home — to get access you have to step through a vault door hidden in a linen closet. As for how this incredible place lay dormant for so long, the owner relayed this information:
All we really know is that it was purchased in 1991 by a Malaysian family ostensibly for use as an official Malaysian building (like a consulate or something). Details are sketchy. The family did not move in and the house was held and maintained during that period. Even though the house was maintained, several issues arose which got worse over time, leading to the current condition.
If you or anyone you know has additional information pertaining to the history of this mansion, please stop by the comments or e-mail me. We’d love to hear from you. Big thanks once again to the Vintage Seattle reader who is fortunate enough to own this piece of Seattle history and who kindly showed us around. We look forward to heading back once it’s been restored and sharing more photos. But for now, check out the rest of the current batch. Click on the thumbnails for higher res versions.

[See also: Forgotten Capitol Hill Mansion Pt. 1]
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Fountain through arches. Alternate angle.
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Fountain from above. Close-up of water and fountain.
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Balcony and supports. Adjacent patio area.
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Heading up the stairs to the second floor. Light fixture at top of staircase, peeling paint.
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Master bedroom. Reading room off of master.
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Master bedroom french doors. The view from the balcony, looking out toward Husky Stadium.
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The wood floors are original and in good condition. Crown molding detail.
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Looking outside. Alternate angle.
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This basement area is thought to have once housed a bowling alley. Basement area light fixture.
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Formal dining room light fixture. One more shot of that colorful tile.
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Front door hardware. Front door.

Forgotten Capitol Hill Mansion Pt. 1

May 11th, 2009 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | 11 Comments »border
A Vintage Seattle Blog reader sent me a hot tip 2 weeks ago about a historic (and forgotten) 1926 North Capitol Hill Mediterranean Revival mansion he was about to start restoring. The 4 bed, 4 bath, 7000 square foot residence had been abandoned for the past 20 years. I was told that it was amazingly intact, with all fixtures, quite a bit of cosmetic damage, and that I had to see it. So that’s just what I did. Came away with so many good photos from this hidden gem that I’ve had to split it into 2 parts. Click back tomorrow for more. It’s hard to believe that this home has been sitting around abandoned for so long — right in the middle of Capitol Hill. Huge thanks to the house’s new owner for giving Vintage Seattle a tour and restoring this baby to its former glory. Click here to view Part 2 photos.
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1930’s tax record. 1930’s tax photo.
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The mansion as it appears today. The staircase as you enter the home.
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Alternate angle, staircase and front door. Close-up of intricate millwork.
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Front entry light fixture. Just off the entry, main living room.
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Reading/sun room off living room. Just about everything in this scene is original to the home.
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1920’s era light fixture. Window detail.
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Built-in bookcase and molding. Paint peeling from wall.

Big Plans: Space Needle Concept

April 20th, 2009 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | 2 Comments »border
I’m in the process of choosing some early 60’s concept sketches of the Needle to frame for the house. This is one of them. I may have to find a custom frame solution for it — surely it’s criminal to crop. Click for higher res.
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Space Needle architectural drawing. 1960-1961. John Graham & Company. Image courtesy University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections Division.

Profile: O’Dea H.S. & Cathedral School

March 11th, 2009 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | 5 Comments »border
When you’re on First Hill admiring St. James Cathedral (see my photo profile here) be sure to head one block east to see O’Dea High School. Ground was broken in March 1923 and school was in session by the next year. The school was the last major project in Seattle for architecture firm Beezer Brothers.

The Cathedral School, located on the same block as St. James and now closed, opened in 1911 and moved into their new building in 1912. This website has some history and photos:
The Cathedral School opened in fall of 1911, with 100 students and 5 Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary working out of four spare classrooms in St. Rose’s Academy on Broadway. Just after Easter, 1912, they moved into their brand-new, spacious and state-of-the-art facility. The four-story building featured an indoor gymnasium and playground (in the attic), a large hall with a stage, and two floors of classrooms. The Sisters were astonished the following September when enrollment jumped from 100 to 256, and, two years later, to more than 300. In their brand-new school building, finding space for all the children was already a problem!
Click on the photos for higher res copies.
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O’Dea High School. 802 Terry Ave. Front.
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O’Dea High School. 802 Terry Ave. Side.
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O’Dea High School. 802 Terry Ave. Alternate angle, front.
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O’Dea High School. 802 Terry Ave. Alternate angle, front.
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Cathedral School. Front.
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O’Dea High School. 802 Terry Ave. Alternate angle, south side.

Fourth Avenue Building 1928

March 3rd, 2009 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | 5 Comments »border
Though the old building stock in Seattle has been in steady decline over the years, a number of nice Art Deco examples remain. One of them is the Fourth Avenue Building, built 1929, now on the National Register of Historic Places. Wikipedia Commons has a couple modern day shots. Here’s the 1928 take from The Argus.
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1411 Fourth Avenue Building. Photo by Webster & Stevens. Owned by the Stimson Realty Co., and constructed under direction of the Metropolitan Building Co. at a cost of $1,100,000. Robert C. Reamer, Architect. Fifteen stories in height, this is the tallest building in the city to be constructed entirely of stone. The Argus, 1928.

F. H. Osgood House 1909

February 12th, 2009 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | 3 Comments »border
I promise not to post any smut today. Actually, this image could technically be pornographic if you’re a hardcore architecture nerd. I’m sure there are none reading. It’s a architectural floor plan of the F. H. Osgood Residence from the 1909 Western Architect. I’m going to guess F. H. is this Frank Osgood. ArchitectDB says the house was based on on the New England Colonial Hyslop House and that Historic Seattle hosted a tour in ‘05. So, where on Queen Anne is it? Some other interesting info from this 2005 newsletter:
Historians report Sinclair Lewis wrote his first novel while living in the house. British symphony conductor Sir Thomas Beecham was a frequent overnight guest during his tenure in Seattle in the 1940s. Astronaut John Glenn and Buckminster Fuller both stayed in the brick residence while visiting Seattle on lecture tours. Constructed in 1903, its architect, R. Clipson Sturgis of Boston, modeled the residence after the historic Hyslop House in Brookline, Massachusetts, at the request of New England native Mrs. Osgood.
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Residence For F. H. Osgood, Seattle, Washington. R. Clipston Sturgis And Barton, Architects, Boston, Massachusetts. Western Architect, July 1909.