Wallingford Historic District Feasibility Study

Image courtesy: Linda Sewell

Historic Wallingford hosted a public meeting on October 25, 2019, to present the results of the Wallingford Historic District Feasibility Study and to discuss possible next steps. The report, produced by preservation consultants Northwest Vernacular, identified four areas – noted in the study as A, B, C, and D – that are potentially eligible as National Register of Historic Places historic districts. The report, public meeting presentation, and sign board files are available to you at these links:

Historic Wallingford is pursuing recommendations presented in the report. See this page for the latest on our ongoing and planned efforts.

What is the Historic District Feasibility Study?

Historic Wallingford is an all-volunteer neighborhood non-profit organization with a mission to foster an awareness of and appreciation for Wallingford’s history and architecture.

With support from King County’s cultural funding agency, 4Culture, Historic Wallingford sponsored a historic district feasibility study directed by preservation consultant Northwest Vernacular. The study involved gathering previously compiled histories, historic resource surveys, and neighborhood plans followed by neighborhood walks to observe and document what survives. The social and cultural history of our community was also a focus of the study, so we could better understand the people who built Wallingford and have called this place home. Historic Wallingford is grateful for the involvement of dedicated volunteers to complete the study.  

Using the information gathered, the study offered guidance on what areas in the neighborhood may qualify for historic district designation, most likely through a listing in the National Register of Historic Places, which is an honorary designation. Such a designation could stimulate pride in our neighborhood and bring awareness to the value of Wallingford’s historic built environment.

The goal of this is study was to gather information that can guide future preservation and historical interpretation efforts in Wallingford. Objectives included identifying potential historic district boundaries based on the neighborhood’s platting and development patterns and developing a public information and outreach plan to gauge interest in a possible National Register and/or City of Seattle historic district.

What was the timeline of the feasibility study?

May 2019
1. Grant funding obtained and Northwest Vernacular preservation consultants retained.
2. Announced in May newsletter
3. Volunteer recruitment began
4. Wallingford plat maps pulled
5. Data was compiled from city and state historic resource databases

June 2019
1. Volunteers trained for field observations and plat map research
2. Collected information on the history of Wallingford
3. June 20: hosted member meeting to share progress-to-date and get input

July/August/September 2019
Worked with preservation consultants to gather any additional information to aid in their analysis

October 2019
Hosted a public meeting to share results of study and gather input on next steps