While walking, note the street signs (brown) that signify this National Historic District.
Henry Hewitt (b. 1840 in England), was a very successful land speculator in Wisconsin. After hearing of the great forests of the Pacific Northwest, he moved to Tacoma in 1888. He rented a boat and explored around Port Gardner Bay, finding the deep water was a perfect harbor. And he knew that a railroad was coming to the west coast. This would be the perfect place for a new city. So he bought up land in what we now call Everett, with the help of Charles Colby of New York City, using the immense capital of John D. Rockefeller.
For more on Everett street names, see this Everett Herald article.
Hewitt Avenue is the first major street of Everett. It shows Everett's historical commercial trends, and the importance of social and labor elements in the city's history.
The Hewitt Avenue National Historic District is a section of downtown Everett in Washington, that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. There are 42 buildings in close proximity, the highest percentage of historic buildings in the central business district.
It conveys the commercial and social history and development of the City of Everett from the late 1890s through the late 1950s. The early buildings are the commercial vernacular style, while later buildings are late 1940s and 1950s Modernism.
More about the District is on the Washington State Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation web site.
You can click any address button for a Google map.
Turn left (east) on Hewitt Avenue.
Hewitt (b. 1840 in England) was a very successful land speculator in Wisconsin. After hearing of the great forests of the Pacific Northwest, he moved to Tacoma in 1888. He rented a boat and explored around Port Gardner Bay, finding the deep water was a perfect harbor. And he knew that a railroad was coming to the west coast. This would be the perfect place for a new city. So he bought up land in what we now call Everett, with the help of Charles Colby of New York City, using the immense capital of John D. Rockefeller.
Why Greenberg name? This three-story building with light brown brick has lost its cornice (and "dragon" adournment) but retains fine original architectural style. Original features at the first story on the east facade show the "rustication" formed by insetting every seventh row of brick. A stone belt course at the sill line of the second story distinguishes the tall base of the building from the upper stories. At the upper portion, tall pilasters capped by brick arches form window openings, with brick spandrels inset below the third-story windows. Tripartite wood windows are set into relatively deep window openings. Built for $30,000, it was occupied by Burnett Bros. Jewelers from 1932 into the 1990s.
Drawings of buildings Everett Herald ad with a cutout view of the upper floor, Brodeck-Field Company(June 29, 1923). Jack O'Donnell collection Click image for a larger view.
This two-story corner building has been stuccoed over on the second floor. It was constructed for Francis H. Brownell from Rhode Island, the first lawyer in Everett. His business largely consisted of commercial and corporate law. The building was later occupied by Brodeck Clothing Company and Fisher's Shoe Store. Pacific Hardware Company was in the building from 1928 to 1930, followed by Helen Davis Shop (women's furnishings), H & L Sport Store, Gwynne's Family Shoe Store, and Wold Men's Shop.
Announcements in the Newspaper March 14, 1959 Everett Herald article on the opening of the new Peoples National Bank. Jack O'Donnell collection Click photo for a larger view.
This Modern bank is on a corner where north and west facades feature glass curtain walls with Roman brick on the east and south. In 1987, Peoples National Bank became US Bank. Some interior work on this building listed the architect Osterman Associates.
This relatively tall, one-story brick building opened as the Hayes Theater on December 20, 1915. Two years later it was transformed into the Apollo Theater, which was a major downtown movie theater for a decade, closing June 19, 1927. In 1932 it was the Central Cigar Store. The building has a simple storefront system and is characterized by its multi-light transom panels and projecting sheet metal cornice with dentil band below. The multi-light transom continues from the primary east facade around to the alley facade on the north, a unique detail.
Photo from library??? Armour Institute, Chicago IL, 1913; Captain in U.S. Army, 1918-19, served in France; Partner, Morrison and Stimson Architects, Spokane WA, 1919-26, designed many projects in Wenatchee and Yakima. Morrison opened his own office in Seattle from 1926-55. In the Hewitt Avenue National District, he designed the Fire Station No. 2 and the Central Building. Nearby at 2722 Colby Ave, the prolific architect worked on the Medical-Dental Building and the mission style Dodge dealership at the SW corner of Hewitt and Rucker Avenues. He also is credited with many Everett school buildings including North and South Junior High, Civic Auditorium, and Roosevelt Elementary.
This six-story building is finished with light brown brick and cream terra cotta with Gothic Revival details. The tall first story forms a base and is clad with cream terra cotta. The main body of the building is faced with light brown brick in running bond and features pilasters between pairs of windows. Above the sixth-story windows is a wide band of encrusted terra cotta. Capping each pilaster is additional Gothic detailing, including terra cotta finials that project above the brick parapet. The upper-story windows are non-original. Constructed for approximately $150,000, it was typically occupied by dentists, lawyers, insurance agents, and other professionals.
National Register building. Architect: Benjamin F. Turnbull.
This five-story building is located on the NE corner of Hewitt and Rockefeller Avenues. Constructed for the Bank of Commerce. The primary south and west facades are characterized by a tripartite composition of base, shaft, and cap, with the base formed by the first story, the shaft by stories two through four, and the cap consisting of the fifth story plus a prominent cornice with decorative brackets. The building is faced with light brown pressed brick. Windows are paired between pilasters and have large wood pivot sash with a glazed transom above. Single windows at each end have a brick jack arch above.
The newspaper was the major source of information in Everett's early years. The names of each resident or business was commonly listed.
Architect: Benjamin Turnbull; builder: Howard S. Wright.
The first story of five is concrete, with storefronts at the north (Hewitt Ave) facade. Upper stories are faced with white brick and a prominent sheet metal cornice. Prior to its conversion to apartments, city directories indicate tenants such as dentists, chiropractors, watch repair, real estate agents, beauty shops occupied the offices.
After the original Horseshoe Saloon burned in August 1909, bottling works proprieter A. L. Van Valey had the building reconstructed in 1910, and later that year a Local Option prohibiting liquor sales was passed, following by the state dry law. By 1933, when liquor became legal again, the building was occupied by the Eagle Club Room (card room), in place until 1950.
Note the name in hexagon tiles in the sidewalk.
This two-story brick commercial building has a storefront at the first story and a band of five windows at the second story. The first story has been altered but the building is characterized by end pilasters (at the outer edges of the facade); decorative narrow wood pilasters between the second-story windows; a line of corbelling above the windows; and by the tall, shaped brick parapet with cast stone coping.
Architect/Builder: Howard S. Wright, contr.
At the first story are two storefronts, each with a central flush entry and transom band above. Between the two storefronts is an entry that serves stairs up to the second floor. A cornice band separates the first and second stories. The second story features a row of eight tall, narrow rectangular window openings. Each opening contains a one-over-one-light double-hung wood window with glazed transom above. Finish materials are tan and grey brick, and the windows have stone sills. Corbelling above the windows provides a cap to the facade. Long-term early tenants included the White Company (notions outlet) and Childs and Christiansen Hardware. Later occupants included a shoe store, cycle and key shop, and sporting goods.
The original mosaic tilework entryway greeted movie house guests. Investor W. G. Swalwell, leased it to Alexander Singelow, an early newsreel cameraman in the region. Singelow operated a movie house until 1927, when it was converted to a Castle Drug which served into the 1940s. Occupied by Granstrom Sporting Goods (1955 to 1971).
This two-story building is finished with light orange pressed brick. A projecting cornice with dentils beneath it caps the building. Early tenants include the Chicago Outfitting Company and Hotel Savoy. By 1932 the building was occupied by Quality Food Market (meats), Watson's Bakery and Delicatessen, and Merchants Hotel. Watson's Bakery remained into the 1950s.
Tragically, this building and one life was lost in a fire in late 2012. Forty people were displaced who lived here.
The brick commercial block included extensive brick corbelling above the windows. Built for local grocers Thayer and McCrossen, the building briefly served as a post office in the 1890s. Brick was supplied by the Everett Electric Brick Company. Occupants over the years include Everett Parlor Furniture Manufacturing Company, Sherman Louis (clothing), Manila Hotel, and Jack's Menswear. McCrossen's name and the year 1894 was prominently displayed on the upper facade.
Operated as the Whitehouse Public Market into the 1930s, a 1933 water permit identifies it as the Oakes Avenue Market. In the 1950s it was occupied by Dolloff Motor Company (used car division) and the storefronts were remodeled. The building now represents an intact remodel from the 1950s. Van Winkles Interiors moved in 1973 and occupies the building today.
The western storefront has been altered with a more contemporary aluminum storefront system. In the 1930s the building was occupied by a restaurant. Everett Sport Store (card room) was located in the building by 1941 and later became Everett Sportmen.
This brick building features a south facade composed of a wood storefront system at the first story and faced with cream brick at the second story. Occupants over the years have included a clothing store, Love's Grocery, shoe stores and the Evergreen Tavern.
The three-story building is prominently located on the northwest corner of Hewitt and Lombard Avenues. Spiderweb art glass tronsoms remain above some of the storefronts. As the major hotel in the city for two decades, it was designed for William and L.J. Mitchell, owners of the Mitchell Lumber Company of Everett, during the recovery from the 1893 depression. The building was planned as a six-story building and equipped with elevator service (which operates today). The 76 guest rooms contained modern conveniences and were furnished luxuriously. Engravings displayed in the corridors were from the personal collection of the Mitchell brothers. The upper stories are currently occupied by apartments.
Turn left (north) on Lombard for about half a block.
Turn left (west) on California, then right (north) on Oakes.
Thomas Fletcher Oakes (1843-1919) was a railroad executive for the Northern Pacific Railway.
National Register of Historic Places. Architects: Morrison & Stimson; builder: Solie & Wahl.
Go another block west to Rockefeller Avenue, then turn right.
John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937) was the co-founder of Standard Oil, and one of the principal financiers of Monte Cristo and Everett. His involvement encouraged a boom in Everett, but by 1894 he wanted out. And Rockefeller generally got what he wanted. Rockefeller only visited Everett once, in 1899, while he was divesting himself from what he considered poor investments.
We hope you enjoyed your walking tour of the Hewitt Avenue National Historic District! For more tours, see Historic Everett walking tours. Write us below if you have comments, additional history we should include, or questions.