EDMONDS — A downtown commercial building with roots dating back more than a century has been put on the city’s register of historic places.
The Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission described the Schumacher Building as one of the city’s “architectural and historic gems.” It’s one of the city’s oldest buildings.
The Schumacher Building at 316 Main St. is best known to visitors as home to Chanterelle restaurant. It is one of the last standing 1890s buildings in the city, said Emily Scott, who heads the Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission.
Its exact date of construction “is kind of iffy,” she said. County records list the construction date as 1900.
Through research, they found it was about a decade older, Scott said.
Researchers frequently come across similar problems in reconstructing a building’s history, she said. “It’s like a giant puzzle” that often requires tracking down old photos in museum collections or those owned by individuals, she said.
The building was constructed by brothers William and Roy Schumacher for a general store. Over the years, it was used as a hardware store and furniture store before becoming home to Chanterelle, according to the historical commission.
Commission members spent about three years sorting out the history of the Schumacher building.
One of the organization’s missions is to make people aware of historic spots they may drive past every day. “They don’t know these living stories,” Scott said. “That’s why we’re very excited to have this building join our register.”
The city’s historic designation doesn’t come with any design or building restrictions. “We don’t have any rules to prevent people from altering their building,” she said. “We try to tell people you can get on the register and we won’t tell you want to do.”
Commission members can put building owners in touch with professionals, such as architects, if they’d like advice. And Scott is an archaeologist. “We have knowledgeable people to help people who want to save and preserve their building’s character,” she said.
A plaque has been installed at the Schumacher building to inform visitors of its historic status. “It’s an amazing building, it’s great,” said Brooke Baker, who with her husband, Randy Baker, bought the restaurant in 1997.
The Schumacher Building will celebrate its 125th anniversary, just as the city celebrates the same anniversary this year.
“This building has stood for 125 years,” Scott said. “In my mind, it could stand a lot longer.”
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.
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