Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 627 14th AVE / Parcel ID 6851700005 / Inv #

Historic Name: Mary & Martha Hall Common Name: Style: Arts & Crafts - Craftsman Neighborhood: Capitol Hill Built By: Year Built: 1902   Significance In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the National Register of Historic Places. In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance. In the opinion of the survey, this property is located in a potential historic districe (National and/or local). This large house is an elaborate version of an American Foursquare, one of the most popular house forms on Capitol Hill. This example was noted in the city's 1979 historic resources survey. Its elegance is suitable to its location on 14th Avenue East, known as Millionaires' Row, an “Avenue of Mansions” with the homes of many of Seattle's early business leaders. However, like other large houses, it became expensive to maintain. The zoning code adopted in 1923 allowed multifamily use at this end of the street, and in the 1930s this became an institution known as Mary and Martha Hall. In the 1950s it was a rooming house, with added bathrooms. It is currently a six-unit apartment house. Some changes appear to have been made near the porch, with an entry, side stairs and a window replacements; however, these have little effect on the house's character. Its exterior is amazingly intact given its history. The 1937 assessor’s data notes interior details such as four fireplaces (brick, tile and marble) and built-in mahogany bookcases When this house was built, the street had a spectacular view, thanks to clearcutting, and it was a logical place to build after the west slope and First Hill were developed. The Olmsted Plan recommended that this be a parkway, forming a grand entrance to Volunteer Park. However, the property owners were given control of the street between Prospect and Roy streets. A median strip in the center was planted with shrubs, and each owner added street trees, creating the appearance of an avenue. It became a showplace, attracting dignitaries such as President Harding and busloads of tourists en route to the park. It was the main route for funeral processions going through the park to Lakeview Cemetery, north of the park. To deter the stream of traffic, an ornate gateway was built at Roy Street. But by 1924 traffic had become so bad that property owners petitioned the Park Department to take back control of the street. The gate and the median plantings were removed as a traffic hazard.   Appearance This grand Foursquare has a hipped roof with deep bracketed eaves. There are pedimented dormers on the front and sides; the side dormers extend from the ridgeline of the roof. Cladding on the first floor is random-laid granite, with wood shingles on the upper level and dormers. The entry is in the center, with a projecting hipped-roof porch with granite piers and steps. The doorway is elegant, with frosted glass sidelights and a carved oak surround. Above the porch is a three-sided bay window. Most windows throughout are one-over-one sash. The south elevation has a three-sided bay with leaded glass windows. The front dormer has three windows, an 18-light panel flanked by six-light casements. There is a secondary entry on the north elevation, with a small enclosed porch, and a glass-enclosed sun porch on the southwest corner.

Detail for 627 14th AVE / Parcel ID 6851700005 / Inv #

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: Cladding(s): Shingle, Stone Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured Roof Type(s): Hip Roof Material(s): Asphalt/Composition-Shingle Building Type: Domestic - Single Family Plan: Irregular Structural System: Balloon Frame/Platform Frame No. of Stories: two & ½ Unit Theme(s): Architecture/Landscape Architecture Integrity Changes to Plan: Intact Changes to Original Cladding: Intact Changes to Windows: Slight Major Bibliographic References Williams, Jacqueline B. The Hill with a Future: Seattle's Capitol Hill 1900-1946. Seattle: CPK Ink, 2001. Polk's Seattle Directories, 1890-1996. King County Tax Assessor Records, ca. 1932-1972. City of Seattle, Department of Planning and Development, Microfilm Records.

Photo collection for 627 14th AVE / Parcel ID 6851700005 / Inv #

Photo taken Mar 07, 2006