Tag Archives: home

Retail Stand Alone

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The freestanding building at 602 North Pearl use to be where I dropped off film (remember film?) to be developed. Flash One Hour Photo had the nicest people working there and one hour development. I think it was bright yellow. Of course their business declined as we all went to digital and I’m guessing that is why they closed.

Later it was a home design store (Tacoma Interior Market) , a check cashing place and most recently a spot to get new counter tops. Now it has some furniture in it, but it looks vacant.

Adam Plenning Residence

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The Adam Plenning Residence at 1524 S. Cushman St.,Tacoma, WA 1905 is a two story wood frame cottage with gable roof and cross gable that added to Tacoma Register by Resolution No.33231 on 12/5/1995.

The house is described as a “wall dormer which rests on a side first story three sided bay. There is a half round window with keystone in the front end gable end. Gables have returned eaves and dentils. Windows are one over one double hung. The three sided front bay has hip roof. The over the door porch has a gable roof with small column supports and balustrade. The house is covered with clapboard siding.”

To see how the building looked when it was constructed, go here http://search.tacomapubliclibrary.org/buildings/bldg1image.asp?j=1&o=3&n=13098&i=9771#text

Charles Madson House

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The Charles Madson House at 1419 South Sheridan is another Tacoma residence on the Tacoma Register of Historic Places. The house was constructed in 1909 – 1910 in the Hilltop neighborhood. It was constructed for Charles Madson who was a chief for the City Restaurant.  He lived in the house until 1928. The nomination form states “The (home’s) owners also reflect the ethnic diversity and cultural changes of the Hilltop”. It goes on to say that the design of the house is influenced by both the Arts and Crafts and Queen Anne movements.

Home, Community, Art

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The City of Tacoma has a wealth of wonderful murals, many of them recent. This one is located at 38th Street & Portland Ave (3804 Portland Avenue) and the lead artist is Chris Sharp. Participating artists include Shanna Duncan, Asia Tail and Patricia Vazquez Gomez.

And interview with Chris Sharp can be found here:

http://www.exit133.com/5139/a-conversation-with-chris-sharp

and more info is here
http://thetelephoneroom.blogspot.com/2010/08/chris-sharp-i-dont-hate-anyone_02.html

More information about the Tacoma Mural Project is here:
http://www.tacomaculture.org/arts/murals.asp

As I was taking some photos of the mural, two young men came up to me and asked me to take their photo!

Unraveled Yarn and Artful Gifts

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When three friends (thanks Connie, Ann and Judy!) suggested that I check out Unraveled Yarns, I put it on my to visit list. I felt right at home in this little store which has a thoughtful selection of yarns and knitting supplies, as well as artful gifts. The women working there were helpful and the place just made me want to pull out some knitting needles and sit down for a visit! And, yes, I got a holiday present for my friend Susan. It’s a ….. oh wait, she might read this!

2154 S. 314th Street
Federal Way, WA 98003
(253) 941-2268

http://www.unraveledshop.com/

Sadly they closed in April 2012.

Site of the Norwegian Congregational Church, since demolished

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Site of the Norwegian Congregational Church, since demolished

Originally uploaded by Gexydaf

I’ve been wanting to do a house as the new place of the day for a while and I’ve admired this vacant home. It is located at 1624 Ainsworth in the Hilltop area. My understanding is that this property and the adjacent lot next door had been the site of the Norwegian Congregational Church, which was constructed in 1912 and later demolished. This photograph shows the house that was constructed on the site of the church in 1922. I have to wonder why a 20 year old church was demolished. And I also wonder why it is sitting vacant now. There is no for sale sign, but there is a no trespassing sign in the living room window.

The public record shows that the house was last updated in 1953 and has 1,431 square feet of finished living area and 896 square feet of unfinished area (probably the basement area). It was most recently accessed for $193,100.

So, I know much more about this property, but the mystery remains. How many families have lived here? Where they happy? What is the future of the home?

The house reminds me of my grandmother’s house in PA.  See the older photo below.