Frank and Katie Black Estate: Remnants of a Hidden Beacon Hill Landmark

About

Historic Seattle presents an opportunity for the public to visit a designated landmark on Beacon Hill that few people know about. The Frank and Katie Black estate was once a three-acre property that occupied an entire block on 12^th Avenue S between S. Judkins Street and S. Atlantic Street. Frank D. Black was a prominent Seattle businessman who was an owner of the Seattle Hardware Company and invested in real estate. He was also the Seattle mayor for a brief time.

Anchored by a large house built in ca. 1896 (demolished in 1985), the Black property featured landscaped grounds, a Japanese garden, and site elements constructed of cobblestones including a gate house, gate posts, sundial, and beehive-shaped milk cooler. Over the decades, the property was subdivided, and a 106-unit condominium complex was built in 1985. The Japanese garden (Katie Black’s Garden) is a historic landscape preserved and separately owned by Seattle Parks and Recreation.

The remaining cobblestone site elements were designated by the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board in 1980—these protected features are unique in this city because of the outstanding cobble masonry construction. The landmarked elements are owned and maintained by the Harwood Condominiums HOA.

Historic Seattle and Harwood Condominiums invite you to view these historic features and learn about the history and significance of the Black property. We will be joined by Matt Hamel, historic architect with SHKS Architects, who will talk about technical preservation issues and plans for restoration related to the milk cooler. Harwood Condominiums recently received a 4Culture Preservation Projects grant to conduct an architectural assessment of the historic milk cooler.

The format of the event is an open house from 10 am to NOON. This means you may stop by any time between these hours for a look around. The program is free, but we ask that you register by clicking here!