Earthquake News

Assessing Seattle's Oldest House for Sound Seismic

The joy that comes from assisting in the protection and preservation of Seattle's historic architecture is one of the nicest aspects of being a retrofit contractor. Leif Jackson, owner of Sound Seismic, had the honor of submitting a bid to reinforce what may be the oldest property in the city in July 2017.

Doc Maynard, a pioneer, is claimed to have constructed the house in West Seattle in 1864.

It was relocated from its original location in 1915, and as a result of numerous remodels, it currently seems substantially different.

The house is still fairly unique, though.

Hand-hewn, bark-on Douglas fir logs serve as the structure for the floor.

Old growth lumber measuring 12" × 12" was used to build the support posts, dwarfing most 4x4s from more recent times.

Even though Sound Seismic might not be able to retrofit this house because post-and-pier homes aren't the ideal prospects, seeing it was still an amazing experience.

In my more than 18 years of retrofitting in Seattle, I can honestly state that I have never seen a house quite like this.

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Sound Seismic
7543 15th Avenue NW
Seattle, WA 98117

Contractor's license # SOUNDSL836ND

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