Report from DAHP historicpropertyreport.pdf
Historic Property Inventory Report
Location
Field Site No.DAHP No.
Historic Name:Edmonds Elementary School Building
Common Name:Frances Anderson Cultural Center
Property Address:700 Main St, Edmonds, WA 98020
Comments:
Tax No./Parcel No.00434208800000
Plat/Block/LotBlock 88, Plat of Edmonds
Acreage
Supplemental Map(s)
Township/Range/EWSection1/4 Sec1/4 1/4 SecCountyQuadrangle
T27R03E24SnohomishEDMONDS EAST
Coordinate Reference
Easting:
Northing:
Zone:
Spatial Type:Point
Acquisition Code:Geocoded
Sequence:0
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Identification
Survey Name:Frances Anderson Cultural Date Recorded:08/20/2005
Center/Seismic Upgrade, FEMA
Field Recorder:Brian Rich/URS
Owner's Name:City of Edmonds
Owner Address:700 Main St.
City:EdmondsState:WashingtonZip:98020
Classification:Building
Resource Status:Survey/Inventory
Comments:
Within a District?No
Contributing?
National Register Nomination:
Local District:
National Register District/Thematic Nomination Name:
Description
Historic Use:Education - SchoolCurrent Use:Recreation and Culture - Auditorium
Plan:IrregularStories:3.0Structural System:Concrete - Poured
Changes to Plan:ModerateChanges to Interior:Slight
Changes to Original Cladding:SlightChanges to Windows:Moderate
Changes to Other:
Other (specify):
Style:Spanish - Spanish Colonial RevivalForm/Type:Other
Cladding:Concrete - PouredFoundation:
Roof Type:Flat with ParapetRoof Material:Asphalt / Composition - Built
Up
Narrative
Study UnitOther
Entertainment/Recreation
Education
Date of Construction:1928, 1947, 1952Builder:Wright & Sons
Architect:Engineer:
Property appears to meet criteria for the National Register of Historic Places:Yes
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Property is located in a potential historic district (National and/or local):
Property potentially contributes to a historic district (National and/or local):
Statement of The Edmonds Elementary School, renamed the Frances E. Anderson Cultural Center, meets National
Significance:Register Criterion A for its association with the City of Edmonds' expansion of the early public school
system. Intended to serve the community of Edmonds early elementary education needs, the school
served as an important educational facility in the community over 50 years. Constructed between the
world wars after the public library and Edmonds High School were constructed, the building represents
the community's commitment to early education. The Edmonds Elementary School also represents the
growth in the City and rapid facility expansion in the post war boom of the 1940s and 1950. The building
tripled in size after the construction of the 1947 to 1952 additions.
The school is also significant under Criterion B for it's association with long time principal, teacher and
civic volunteer, Frances Anderson. Frances Anderson was a central figure in the development of the
youth and education system in Edmonds. After the building was closed due the lack of attendance, the
school building was rehabilitated into a community center and named after long-time educator Frances
Anderson.
The Edmonds Elementary School also meets National Register Criterion C as an example of the California
Spanish Colonial revival and the Streamlined Moderne styles. The 1928 building is an excellent example
of the Spanish Colonial Revival style, exhibiting the typical light colored stucco walls, tile roofs, arched
window openings, and Spanish style parapets. The 1947 and 1952 additions are good examples of
Streamlined Moderne style with overtones of the International Style, exhibiting the characteristic banding
and simple detailing characteristic of these styles. While the Multi-Purpose room does not exemplify the
Streamlined Moderne design style as well as other parts of the building, it shows influences of World War
II Airplane hangar designs with the bowstring truss roof.
HISTORIC CONTEXT
History of the City of Edmonds
The Snohomish Indian tribe fished and gathered clams and native oysters along the shores of the present-
day City of Edmonds. The natives used the huge western red cedar trees in making dugout canoes and
dwellings as the wood was soft and easy to work and shape. Recollections of long-time Edmonds resident
Frances Anderson make it clear that, while the European settlers ran the mills on 1st and 2nd streets
along the waterfront, there were also many native families camped there as well.
Father George Brackett who grew up working in the woods of Maine and New Brunswick, Canada
founded the town. Brackett moved to the Puget Sound region circa 1869. Seeing opportunity in the
heavily-wooded area around Edmonds, he purchased 147 acres of waterfront timber in 1872 for $650. By
1876, he had built a home for his family near the waterfront and starting to build the town, beginning
with his own sawmill. Other settlers trickled into the area - loggers, shingle sawyers and weavers,
farmers, and small business owners. In 1884, Edmonds opened the first post office, and in 1890, the City
was incorporated. George Brackett became its first mayor and he built a wharf, which he called Brackett's
Landing.
During the early 1900s, shingle mills stretched all along the Edmonds waterfront. The number of mills
grew rapidly thanks to the availability of quality red cedar nearby. Making shakes was a slow and
laborious process, although the demand in those early days was great enough to employ many in that
trade. With the invention of the shingle machine, the splitting of shakes became almost a memory. In its
heyday around 1910, there were ten mills along the waterfront, some riving almost 20,000 shingles per
year. The manufacture of western red cedar shingles made by the shingle machine became one of the
leading industries in the Edmonds area.
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Although water transport had been the principal means of transportation between Edmonds and other
Puget Sound cities since Edmonds' founding, it was not until 1923, that a regular ferry service was
established between Edmonds and Kingston. Edmonds eventually became the ferry terminal for several
other routes; all that survives today is the Edmonds-Kingston route. By this time, Edmonds had several
churches, newspapers, a modern high school, Carnegie Library, and electric lights.
Over time, as the old growth trees were harvested, mills closed and Edmonds' early character as a mill
town faded. Today, a yacht marina, office buildings, retail stores, restaurants and the ferry terminal
dominate Edmonds' waterfront.
The Edmonds Grade School
In 1891, the Edmonds first grade school on this site was built. This building was a three-story Victorian
frame schoolhouse, and served school children until it was replaced by the current concrete structure in
1928. The funding for the construction of the school got off to a rocky start when the two bond measures
did not pass. The $50,000 bond issue was finally passed in 1927 and the design process began
immediately.
Built by contractors Wright & Sons for $41,000, the new elementary school was a 10-room fireproof
building. Contractor A. B. Bentley installed the plumbing for an additional $7,900. The Spanish Colonial
Revival style school opened on 15 October 1928. The Spanish Colonial style design, popular in the 1920's
particularly in California, focused on abstraction of design elements, yet still evoked specific traditional
styles. The original 1928 school structure had many design characteristics of the style in its exterior light
stucco finishes, pent tile roof, multi-pane windows, symmetrical layout, inset panels, broad round arches,
and curvilinear parapets.
The school served the needs of the community for almost 20 years before the post-World War II baby
boom created a need for an expanded facility. This era was a time of rapid growth as well as a change in
architectural design. The new style hearkened back to the Art Moderne style and the design of airplane
hangars and other military structures were prominent in the minds of many architects. At the same time,
the International Style of simplified, efficient design was beginning to be apparent in architectural design
in a style called Streamlined Moderne. This style features smooth light tinted stucco forms with emphasis
on horizontal or vertical bands and windows. Frequently, glass brick was used as were metallic and glassy
surfaces. Design styles of the 1947 and 1952 additions are clear examples of the Streamlined Moderne
style, with layered horizontal and vertical bands, glass block windows, and light colored stucco finishes.
The Decline
Declining enrollment in the elementary school system forced the closure of the school in 1972. The
structure was vacant for several years while plans were developed for an alternative use for the building.
After the Bailey-Behm Architects Study was completed around 1977, the school was re-dedicated in 1979
as the Frances Anderson Cultural Center, a public facility for arts and cultural activities operated by the
City of Edmonds Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department. The former school now houses
several tenant with various activities such as tae-kwon-do, clay sculpture, and ballet. It also houses the
offices of the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department as well as serves a venue for many of
their activities.
Frances E. Anderson
The Edmonds Elementary School was renamed Frances Anderson Cultural Center after France E. Anderson
- a long time principal and teacher at the school. Anderson was a well-known figure in the history of the
City of Edmonds. Anderson was born in Drummond, Montana on November 16, 1890 to Mr. and Mrs. C.J.
Anderson. Shortly after her birth, in January 1891, the family moved to Fidalgo Island, continuing C.J.
Anderson's work with the Great Northern Railway. Later the family moved to Snohomish where C.J. work
with railway continued.
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The Andersons moved to Richmond Beach and lived on 80-acres owned by Frances Anderson's uncle.
Frances and her brother, Otto, walked four miles along the railroad tracks to get to school each day at the
Edmonds Elementary School. Later, both children attended school in Richmond Beach before her family
finally moved to Edmonds when Frances was in the 8th grade. In 1907, her father was killed in a railroad
accident and was unable to see Frances graduate (1911) from the Edmonds High school, where she was in
the first class to hold school in the new High School.
Francis Anderson began her work in the community in 1909, when she became the secretary for the local
lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars (1909), elected the first president of the Edmonds
Improvement Club (1910) and became the leader of a group of Junior Camp Fire Girls (1918). In 1913, she
attended the University of Washington, taking courses in physical education and earning W letters in
baseball, track, and basketball. She also participated in the Shot-put event for the Field and Track team.
She was only the third woman student to win two W sweaters in athletics in 1916. Not only was Frances
active in sports, she traveled throughout the 50 states, Mexico and Europe.
After three years at the University of Washington, she followed the head of the PE department, Ethel
Johnson, to the Whitewater State Normal School (later known as the University of Wisconsin). She
graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1917 with a major in Physical education.
Frances returned to Edmonds and became a second grade teacher at the Edmonds Elementary School to
be near her mother while her brother was stationed in France during World War I. Her mother died in
1936 and her brother, Otto died in 1961. In 1921, Frances Anderson became treasurer of the Edmonds
High School Alumni Association, and in 1937, she won the third place award in the Edmonds Chamber of
Commerce Garden Beautiful Contest.
Frances Anderson taught second grade until 1924 when she was asked to take the position as principal to
replace the retiring principal. She held this position for 25 years before returning to teaching in 1949, and
retired from teaching altogether in 1959. After her retirement, it appears she may have opened a
business called Tidemark Arts in Edmonds while her husband, Gerry, maintained an office as an architect
at the same location.
Frances died in 1990 at nearly 100 years old; the same year the City of Edmonds celebrated their
centennial. During her long life, Frances Anderson was deeply involved in the community. She earned a
50-year pin from the Eastern Star and the Crystal Rebekah Lodge #65. She was also inducted into the Lota
Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma, educational honorary, in 1914 and belonged to the Delta Gamma
Sorority. She was on the Edmonds Public Library Board for 25 years, involved with the Edmonds Historical
Society, a charter member of the American Legion, and active in the YMCA and Methodist Church as well.
She served for 26 years as the chairman of the South Snohomish County Christmas Seal drive. She was
recognized as a member of the Whitewater Half Century Club in 1967.
Frances Anderson was given several awards in the course of her lifetime. The 1945 American National
Red Cross gave Frances an award for her meritorious service for her efforts in the Price Control Program
in the Edmonds community, and later Frances was given a citation for meritorious service from the
American Legion (1966). Frances Anderson's service to the Edmonds community earned her the honor of
being the Pioneer Queen of Edmonds' Diamond Jubilee in 1965. She was an honored guest at the
Edmonds High School Diamond Jubilee in 1984 and was one of the first people inducted into the Edmonds
School District Living Legend Hall of Fame. It is frequently said that Frances' ghost still resides on the 3rd
floor of the 1928 building, where she taught and was principal.
Description of SETTING
Physical
Appearance:
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The City of Edmonds, known as the Gem of Puget Sound is situated on the shores of Puget Sound just
north of Seattle. Facing westward, the hills of the city afford commanding views of the Olympic
Mountains and the Puget Sound area. The Frances Anderson Cultural Center is set at the brow of a hill
above the center of Edmonds, a prominent location within the city. The center spans the area between
Main Street and Dayton Street with playgrounds and the outdoor amphitheatre to the east. To the west
of the school were originally tennis courts and other playground areas. In the 1980's, after the school had
been closed due to low attendance, the west portion of the school site was selected for the new Edmonds
Public Library. The center is in a residential neighborhood east of downtown. The Civic Center Playfield
is northwest of the former school building.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Original Building-Exterior
The Frances Anderson Cultural Center, originally the Edmonds Elementary School, is a comprised of
several different parts on 4.8 acres in the center of the City of Edmonds. The centerpiece is the original
architectural 1928 Spanish Colonial Revival style building that rises above the 1947 and 1952 additions.
Currently irregular in plan, the school was originally a rectangular volume; the later additions extended
west from the original building creating a U-shape and the gym addition pushed the building to the east.
Oriented north to south, the 1928 structure is a three-story concrete structure with pent roofs covered
with tile between the curvilinear and rectangular parapets of the end bays and pilasters. The main
portion of the roof is a flat. A double-row of brick soldier course extends around the top of the building
under the pent roof. Decorative elements include diamond-shaped or brick rectangular inlays at the top
of the raised pilasters and bay on all facades.
The north and south elevations are divided into two recessed bays with a wider projecting bay in the
center. The center bays are capped with curvilinear parapets. Bands of closely spaced windows are
between the bays on the east and west facades. The original windows were replaced with newer metal
windows that simulate the original window pattern; the size of the openings have been preserved. Some
of the facades have large recessed panels that are void of windows reflecting the interior use. The
original arched doorways are lined with brick trim and have recessed multi-pane transom windows.
Original Building-Interior
The interior hallways on each floor have central corridors that extend north-south. The interior corridor
walls on the first and main floor levels are concrete with stucco finishes; some retain the original wood
chair rails. Other interior walls are wood framed with plaster finishes. Wood framing is typical at the
floor and roof levels, though some hallways have concrete floors. Some of the doors retain the original
transoms, and are designed with a recessed lower panel and glass upper panels. Rooms of various sizes
are on both sides of the hallways. The stairways are on the west sides near the ends of the hall and the
elevators are on the north side of the hall on each floor. The original arched entrance door frame with
multi-light transom windows are intact.
Historic Additions
Additions were made to the original 1928 building in 1947 and 1952. According to the Seismic Screening
Key Map drawn by City of Edmonds Public Works Department, the 1947 additions included the addition
of the multi-purpose room on the east side of the 1928 building and three additions on the south and
west. A classroom wing and administration addition were built on the north side of the building in 1952.
These flat roof concrete additions vary somewhat in their structure, but all appear fairly similar
aesthetically. Many of the windows feature glass block bands above the horizontal bands of vision
windows to allow daylight to penetrate into the classrooms. These windows are recessed between
narrow columns that extend the varying height of the facades. The clear vertical bands of the structural
columns, the horizontal bands of the roof edge and the clerestory windows are all characteristic of the
Streamlined Moderne design style.
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The interior of the classroom additions have double loaded corridor arrangements built with steel
structure with heavy timber or concrete beams and tongue and groove roof decking. The exterior and
some interior walls are un-reinforced concrete masonry units with CMU piers at both wings flanking the
1928 building, resulting in a U-shaped structure. Most of the remaining interior walls are wood stud
framed with stucco finishes. In addition, many of the interior spaces have clerestory windows, which
provide daylight.
The 1947 addition of the Multi-Purpose Room is un-reinforced concrete masonry walls and wood timber
bowstring roof trusses with car decking on the roof. There is also a stage area within the Multi-Purpose
room which has been converted into an exercise room. While this is clearly related to the other additions,
the Streamlined Moderne design style is less apparent, and the Aircraft Hangar influences are more
prominent. The gym is attached to the original building by a corridor.
Recent Alterations
Recent alterations to the building include the replacement of the exterior windows and sashes with
insulated glass units with aluminum sashes which are nearly indistinguishable from the original windows.
The entire electrical system from the service to electrical outlets and switches has been removed and
replaced with electrical systems meeting current codes throughout the entire building. Similarly, the
entire galvanized steel plumbing system through the building was removed and replaced with copper.
Ongoing alterations not funded by FEMA Grants include individual renovations of rooms such as replacing
flooring or customizing it for ballet or pottery requirements. Planned alterations for the near future
include a complete exterior painting. These modifications do not affect the overall exterior appearance of
the structure, nor do they affect major interior spaces.
Amphitheatre
In addition to these school buildings, an outdoor amphitheatre was added on the east side of the 1928
structure in the 1980's, and playground equipment was added in the late 1990's and/or 2000's. The
building has also been updated for handicap accessibility.
MajorAerial maps and USGS 7.5 Series Maps from www.topozone.com
Bibliographic
Bailey-Behm Architects. Circa 1977. “Edmonds Elementary School Study.”
References:
Center for Puget Sound History and Archaeology website (http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/cpsha/)
City of Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission website (http://www.ci.edmonds.wa.us/hpc/)
Cloud, Ray V. Edmonds: "The Gem of Puget Sound, A History of the City of Edmonds". Edmonds:
Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society, 1953 and 1983.
Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society website, Edmonds Historic Walk (online tour,
http://www.historicedmonds.org/historic/historicwalk/walk.html)
Egan, Douglas. Historian and Maritime Curator, February, 1987. “A Brief History of Edmonds: It’s
Historical Society and Museum.” http://www.edmondsevents.com/Events/edmonds-history.htm.
Frances Anderson Biography, author unknown. Information provided by the Edmonds Historical Museum.
Frances Anderson Biography, author unknown. Information provided by Brian McIntosh, Director, Parks,
Recreation, and Cultural Services Department.
Historylink.org. Peoples History Library.
KPLU Radio Station. “Northwest Neighborhoods: Celebrating Edmonds.”
http://www.kplu.org/featured_neighborhood.html.
Reinert, Harry ed. Edmonds: "100 Years for the Gem of Puget Sound". Edmonds: The Edmonds Paper &
The Edmonds/Snohomish County Historical Society, December 1990.
Satterfield, Archie. Edmonds, the First Century. City of Edmonds, Wash., c1990.
Seattle Post Intelligencer, April 29, 1979, Page B8. “It’s Anderson Center for Edmonds.”
The Edmonds Beacon, Volume XVII, Number 15, June 12, 2003, pages 1 and 20. “Anderson Center Part of
Vibrant Local History.”
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The Edmonds Paper, September 13 - 26, 1989, Page 16 & 21. “School Building has Undergone Much
Change in 98 years.”
The Enterprise Newspaper, June 30, 1976, Page 17. “The Old School Days.”
The Enterprise Newspapers, Number 27, Volume 19, January 19, 1977.
The Seattle Times, December 5, 1979, Page H4. “Life has not been Leisure at New Cultural Center.”
“Visitor’s Guide: Edmond’s Past, Character for the Future.” August 7, 2005.
http://www.ci.edmonds.wa.us/vg_past.stm.
Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation. USGS Quadrant Maps, Historic
Inventory files and DAHP Wissard research website.
Washington State Historical Society website (http://www.wshs.org/index.htm)
Woodbridge, Sally B. and Montgomery, Roger. A Guide to Architecture in Washington State – An
Environmental Perspective. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1980.
For Further Research
Cloud, Ray Verner, 1893. Edmonds, the Gem of Puget Sound; a History of the City of Edmonds, \[1953\]
Daughters of the American Revolution. Washington State Society. Peter Puget Chapter, Edmonds. Index to
Edmonds, the Gem of Puget Sound by Ray V. Cloud, 1953, \[1979\].
Edmonds. Index to Edmonds, the Gem of Puget Sound by Ray V. Cloud, 1953, \[1979\].
Edmonds Snohomish County Historical Society and Museum has a wealth of information on Frances
Anderson.
Edmonds United Methodist Women. Favorite Recipes of Edmonds. Ballard Printing and Publishing, 1975.
R.L. Polk & Co. Edmonds (Snohomish County, Washington) City Directory.
Swift, Joan. 1926. Brackett's Landing: A History of Early Edmonds. J. Swift, c1975.
Snohomish County Tax Assessor’s Office – Tax records and early photographs.
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Photos
South and east façade of Frances Anderson Cultural CenterContextual view of building, looking northeast
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South façade of the Frances Anderson Cultural CenterEast façade of the Frances Anderson Cultural Center
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North façade of the Frances Anderson Cultural CenterWest façade of the Frances Anderson Cultural Center
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Amphitheater courtyard at the Frances Anderson Cultural Detail of interior door of the original 1928 building
Center
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Interior of 1947 gym of the Frances Anderson Cultural Center
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Detail interior arch of the original 1928 buildingMM/dd/yyyy
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Topo Map of the Frances Anderson Cultural Center
Historic view 1928 Edmonds Elementary School BuildingMM/dd/yyyy
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