Is my house or building historic? Every house and building is an intregal part of local history. Your house has its own story to tell. Whether it belonged to the mill owner or the mill worker, it is important because there is no other like it. Everett is unique in having a wonderful inventory of well built older houses and buildings of fine character. Every structure, even those that lack outstanding architectural merit, adds to this overall character. Generally, properties over 50 years old are classified as the basis for historic status. Is the building's style worth saving? You bet it is. Keeping up or reclaiming the character and integrity of a classic older home will not only add beauty in your life, it will help assure neighborhood stability and will increase the value of your property. An older building is usually made of finer materials, built with better workmanship, with more attention to details. All of this grows more valuble with the passage of time. Helping your house or building acheive its best potential is not only giving it back its former dignity. It is an investment in the future of the neighborhood too. How do I research it's history? The first thing you can do is take a good long look at your house or building. Look at it with fresh eyes--notice the details and uniqueness within it. Look into the past to learn when it was built and/or what style it is, or who has lived there. Next, determine the course of action best suited for your classic structure, whether you're preserving, restoring, renovating, or only researching its history. All tasks involving your property will be made more manageable and more enjoyable by an awareness of the many resources available for help. Listed are sources inluding people, agencies, and publications that can help answer your questions about your particular needs and interests.* |
| Everett Public Library, Northwest Room 2702 Hoyt Avenue Everett WA 98201-3556 425-257-8005 Web site |
The library's Northwest history room collection in the downtown branch is a great place to discover the history of your old house or building. There are Old House Journals, books on renovation, and catalogues that supply everything from chimney tops to gingerbread! See digital photo collections on their web site. |
| Everett Historical Commission 2930 Wetmore Avenue, Suite 8A Everett, WA 98201 (425) 257-8731 Web site |
A citizen advisory board working with the City Planning Department. Its purpose is to encourage, through education and technical assistance, the preservation and appreciation of Everett's architectural history. |
| City Utility Department Everett Public Works 3200 Cedar St. Everett, WA 98201 (425) 257-8800 Web site |
Because of the 1909 Snohomish County Courthouse fire, the best records for tracing very early constuction dates of homes and buildings is with the utility department records. |
| CHIP Community Housing Improvement Program 2930 Wetmore Avenue, Suite 8B Everett, WA 98201 (425) 257-8735 Web site |
Rehabilitation funds to help low and moderate income homeowners within the city limits of Everett improve homes and neighborhoods. |
| City Planning 3200 Cedar Street Everett, WA 98201 (425) 257-8731 Web site |
The files contain maps outlining the boundaries of the designated historic districts and copies of the Historic Inventory. The permit division can provide some recent building history of your home through the records of building permits within the last 20 years. |
| Snohomish County Historic Preservation Commission Wendy Becker, Economic and Cultural Development Officer 3000 Rockefeller MS 604 Everett, WA 98201 425-388-3186 Web site |
The Commission seeks to identify,
preserve and protect significant historic and archaeological
properties that celebrates the rich history of Snohomish County.
It offers a number of services to support preservation efforts
of these irreplaceable county assets: - A local register of historic places - Special Valuation Tax incentives for historic building rehabilitation - Educational resources and contacts - A guide to the three-tiered register system |
| Snohomish County Assessor 3000 Rockefeller Everett, WA 98201 425-388-3433 |
The County Assessor has the tax records for your home and the field books with information used to determine assessed valuation. |
| League of Snohomish County Heritage Organizations (LOSCHO) PO Box 64 Edmonds WA 98020 Web site |
The League works cooperatively for the purposes of coordinating local organizations for mutual assistance, facilitating the obtaining of funds and grants for historical purposes, establishing and promoting standards for the organizations. |
| Washington State Dept. of Archaeology & Historic Preservation 1063 South Capitol Way, Suite 106 Olympia WA 98501 360-586-3065 Web site |
Knowledge and expertise in historic preservation. We advocate for the preservation of Washington's irreplaceable historic and cultural resources significant buildings, structures, sites, objects, and districts as assets for the future. Preservation is recognized as a tool for economic development. It is the cultural and historic resources of a community that tells the story of its past, a past that makes any single community distinct from all other places. Preserving these physical reminders of our past creates a sense of place, the result being an environment that instills civic pride and community spirit. |