In regard to the Nov. 28 commentary “Better wait than renovate building” by Judge George Bowden: The opinion piece suggested tearing down the Mission courthouse and replacing it with a modern building. I disagree with removing this core asset from the origins of our city.
Architect August Heide designed both the original 1897 French chateauesque style courthouse (which had a horrible fire in 1909) and the replacement Spanish Mission style in 1910, using the same three entry arches as the original. Heide was one of the major architects of Everett, and this is his finest achievement. Others include the Carnegie Library a few blocks east, the Diefenbacher building on Hewitt, the Clark mansion on 22nd and Rucker, the Swalwell building (Buck’s Restaurant) on Hewitt, the Mitchell Hotel on Hewitt, and a number of wonderful buildings now lost.
In fact, Heide’s 1910 Elks Lodge, formerly at Rucker and California, was another Spanish Mission style building that we lost. We have more Spanish Mission style buildings in the city. One is the former Pioneer United Dairies, now home of Anabel’s and Broadway Hobbies at Broadway and 25th. Another is the Everett Utilities building at Pacific and Cedar. Spanish Mission may not be prevalent, but is found throughout the Pacific Northwest.
The tall clock tower, belfry and dome are a symbol of justice and civic pride to Snohomish County citizens, and have stood for over 100 years. Considerable effort of the years has kept this landmark of Everett intact. We can’t allow this heritage to be lost, losing the historic character of our city and replacing it with homogenized architecture.
Steve Fox
Everett
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