A snapshot of Capitol Hill Craftsman homes as they looked in 1975. | Photo via Seattle Municipal Archives
Stroll down most Seattle streets and you’ll see a style as quintessentially PNW as a flannel shirt — Craftsman homes. It’s hard to escape those angled, overhanging eaves.
While the residential architecture can be found in many other areas of the country, the Emerald City seems to have embraced it more than most. Why are we so crafty?
The whole kit ‘n caboodle 🔨
You can thank early-20th Arts and Crafts proponent Gustav Stickley in part for our obsession. The furniture maker/designer favored houses with open floor plans, clean lines, and natural materials. Luckily, we have a lot of wood around here.
In 1901, Gustav launched The Craftsmanmagazine that included DIY home-building plans — and local entrepreneur Jud Yoho soon followed with his own publication “The Bungalow,” promising designs for “the lover of the convenient home.” You could buy all you needed in a kit from Sears.
Raise the roof 🪜
With a post-Gold Rush population boom + street cars that could reach outer neighborhoods, it was a lot more appealing for locals to own an easy-to-assemble home than be stuffed like smoked salmon in a downtown apartment. Those adult LEGO sets were snapped up likenobody’s business.
Many of the Craftsman homes that dot the landscape were built in the 1920s and 1930s, harkening back to a time when local woodworking was at its peak. The style eventually gave way to more innovative, modern home designs — but many oldies are still standing proud.
For sale 🔖
If you’re looking to own one of these blasts from the past, here are some on the market now.
In This Moment | Mon., Oct. 3 | 6:30 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $40+ | If Lady Gaga + Slayer had babies, it might look something like this band’s visually stunning style. 🎸
Andrew Sean Greer | Mon., Oct. 3 | 7 p.m. | Lake Forest Park | $32 | The Pulitzer Prize-winning author discusses his new novel “Less Is Lost.” 📚
Issa Rae, In Conversation | Tues., Oct. 4 | 8 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $55+ | Hear what the co-creator and star of the Emmy Award-winning series “Insecure” has to say.
Wednesday
“Moonage Daydream” | Wed., Oct. 5 | 4:30 + 7:30 p.m. | SIFF Cinema Egyptian Theatre | $11+ | The new David Bowie documentary features never-before-seen footage. ⚡
“The Hitchcock Hotel” | Wed., Oct. 5 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Can Can Culinary Cabaret, 95 Pine St. | $49 | Have a scary good time with sultry musical performances inspired by the Master of Suspense. 👻
Thursday
Florence + the Machine | Thurs., Oct. 6 | 8 p.m. | Climate Pledge Arena | $40+ | “The Dog Days Are Over” whenever this indie rock band plays their epic hits.
Taste of Iceland | Thurs., Oct. 6 | 4:30 p.m. | The Carlisle Room, 820 Pine St. | $95 | Enjoy lobster soup, skyr mousse + other Icelandic specialties at this special pop-up. 🇮🇸
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*
North neighborhood tradesies? According to the latest map drafted by the Seattle Redistricting Commission, Magnolia and most of Fremont would swap City Council districts. The public can provide feedback in a forum on Sat., Oct. 8 — the final draft is due no later than Tues., Nov. 15. 📍 (Seattle Times)
Sports
The Seahawks won a wild game against the Detroit Lions on the road Sunday, 48-45. Quarterback Geno Smith threw for 320 yards and two passing touchdowns, while running back Rashaad Penny ran for 151 yards and two TDs. The Hawks will play the Saints next Sunday in New Orleans. 🏈
Release the giant, smiley ocean creature — the Kraken introduced their new mascotBuoy the Sea-Troll. According to lore, Buoy is the nephew of the Fremont Troll and once played with Mudhoney. You’ll see more of him when Seattle has its first regular season home game on Sat., Oct. 15. 🏒
Tech
University of Washington researchers have developed new technology that could help hurricane forecasters track a storm’s severity. UW-made buoys with sensors were dropped into Hurricane Ian’s path, sending real-time data on how the storm generated ocean waves. (UW News)
Outdoors
The Seattle City Council recently approved long-planned pedestrian improvements for Crown Hill that includes room for street plazas, an enhanced Holman Grove entrance, and an expanded walkable retail core. The next step is to review designs for each project. 🚸 (My Ballard)
Drink
Grape expectations are coming to the Eastside as Browne Family Vineyards plans a new tasting room in Bellevue. The Walla Walla-based winemaker — which also has a location in Pioneer Square — will open at 10245 Main St. on Mon., Oct. 24, offering flights, wines by the glass, and a special Bellevue blend. 🍷 (Puget Sound Business Journal)
Transit
Washington State Ferries is now offering free fares for anyone under the age of 19 — if they’re a passenger in a car or a pedestrian — as part of a $17 billion, state-wide effort. Teens who are behind the wheel will still have to pay the adult vehicle + driver ferry fare. ⛴️ (West Seattle Blog)
Legacy
Renowned Seattle-born mountaineer Hilarie Nelsondied in an avalanche while skiing in Nepal recently. Hilarie was known as a groundbreaking athlete as the first woman to climb Mount Everest + neighboring peak Lhotse in 24 hours. Over her career, she embarked on 40 expeditions in 16 countries. (Seattle Times)
Real Estate
House it going out there? Real estate consultancy mogul Stefan Swanepoel announced plans to launch the website Real Estate News this fall. The platform promises factual news about the residential real estate industry through all its ups + downs. It’ll operate independently from Stefan’s T3 Sixty firm. 🏘️ (GeekWire)
Active
This may be weighing on us a bit — Seattle saw one of the biggest drops in gym membership in the US from 2021-22. While pretty much every metro area across the country saw a dip during the pandemic, the Emerald City’s was particularly steep, falling by 18% from 2018-19. (Seattle Times)
Today Is
Lenny Wilkens Day. Seattle Center is celebrating the legendary SuperSonics coach with a free event at the Fisher Pavilion from 5-6 p.m. The ceremony will include a proclamation by Mayor Bruce Harrell+ special guests from the NBA community. So, when are we getting the Sonics back again? 🏀
Home
Have you been asking yourself why your garbage disposal is making that odd sound? Let the experts from South West help. They’re taking reader questionsabout plumbing and answering them in an upcoming SEAtoday newsletter. Have a question for them? Submit it here.🚰 *
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Cal Raleigh hit a walk-off home run on Friday, sending the Mariners to the playoffs. | Photo courtesy of the Seattle Mariners
Sea Us Rise — and jump for joy. Seattleites are still buzzing about the dramatic, walk-off victory that vaulted the Mariners to its first playoff berth since 2001, ending the longest postseason drought in major North American sports. 🎉
Mark your calendars for Fri., Oct. 7. The Mariners are lined up to face the Blue Jays in the MLB Wild Card round at the moment, although that could change depending on how the last few games of the regular season shake out.
For now, let’s reminisce just how different Seattle and the world looked the last time the M’s were in the postseason. ⏳
The closest thing to social media was LiveJournal.
The Mariners faithful went bananas — wait, some things never change.
THE WRAP
Today’s issue was written by Gabe.
Editor’s pick: Watching the Mariners clinch a playoff berth thanks to Cal Raleigh’s walk-off homer on Friday night was pretty special. 🥂
I still remember the last time the M’s were in the postseason vividly — Ichiro had just arrived in Seattle + was already a sensation. Watch to see if new phenom Julio Rodríguez can capture some of that magic, starting Friday in the Wild Card round. ✨
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