Learn more about Capt. William Renton from Historylink.org
The Seattle Landmarks Board must decide Wednesday if its place in the history of Seattle founding father William Renton will be enough to help qualify a more than 100-year-old E Madison Victorian for official landmark protection.
CHS reported on the first review by the board of 1523 E Madison that ended with a call to move the old house — now offices — forward in the process to gather more information about its potential architectural and historical worth.
The house is currently destined for demolition to make way for the Mad Flats project from developer Johnson Carr and architects Janette that will create 55 “efficiency dwelling units,” 3 live work units at street level plus 800 square feet of commercial space along E Madison.
In a supplemental report prepared for Wednesday’s review provided to CHS, the board will be presented with a timeline of owners for the property dating back to June 24, 1889 when a Abbie M. Smith purchased the property and the “Renton Home” for $1,400. By the way, the report notes that Abbie and her husband lost the property to foreclosure and by 1903 it was being advertised for rent at $25 per month. Good deal.
The rest of the ownership chain into the 20th century was equally un-notable, according to the report, below. The researcher also points out that Renton’s involvement may not be exactly landmark-worthy documenting that the lumber magnate, coal mine owner and real estate investor “owned at least seven other smaller properties in Seattle” at the time he sold the Renton Home.
The Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board meets Wednesday, October 2nd at 3:30 PM in the Seattle Municipal Tower (700 5th Ave) in room 4060. Public comment is allowed or can be provided via email.
[…] wrote earlier about the “Renton House” now used as offices that has stood on E Madison since the 1890s. The board had decided previously to advance the property into the designation process when the […]