Building at 409 2nd Avenue Ext S. Built in 1890, this was the second building built by John H. Sanderson (the first one, completed in 1889 on Yesler Way is home to the Merchant's Cafe). Both buildings were designed by William E. Boone. Initially occupied by a saloon and lodging house, the ground floor was converted into a theater by John Hamrich in 1918, known as the Rex; John Creutzer was the architect. By 1928 it had become the Circle Theatre, as seen in this tax photo from the late 1930s. Heavily damaged in the 1949 earthquake, the theater closed and the building was mostly demolished, with the current 1-story building only using its side walls.
King County Assessor
1939
King County Assessor, Real Property Record Cards, 1937-1972, Washington State Archives, Digital Archives, <a rel="nofollow" class="external free" href="http://digitalarchives.wa.gov">http://digitalarchives.wa.gov</a>