Many of you may remember the Robert L. Sparger House from our walking tour of Spring 2004. Located on the northwest corner of 2nd Ave. W. and West Prospect, the home, except for some window variation, is very similar to the original exterior of 1911. The home was featured in "Homes and Gardens of the Pacific Coast Volume 1: Seattle", published in January, 1913. The current owners have been in the home for over 30 years.

The house's architect, Max Umbrecht, planned many beautiful homes in the Seattle area, including 1317 Willard Avenue West, and the residence of the Archbishop of Seattle. The house is a modified Elizabethan Tudor style. The large brick chimney breaking through the Gothic gable, the oriel windows and the open loggia are all unique features. Interesting to note is that the entire first floor is made of a single solid slab of reinforced concrete. The parapeted wall around the garden at the rear is one of the best pieces of masonry construction in the city. Mr. Sparger, who built this concrete house, was the president and owner of the Sparger Concrete Co.

Next time you're out walking, stop and pause on a corner sidewalk--look down--chances are you'll see something similar to the photo below--complete with gum. Many sidewalks in Queen Anne were poured by the Sparger Concrete Company. History at your feet for your every walk in Queen Anne--and now you know.