AS-IT-HAPPENED COVERAGE: West Seattle ‘log house’ on the move to its new home

11:33 PM: Exactly one year after first word it might be saved … nine months after word it WOULD be saved … a century-plus-old “log house” is on the move. As we’ve shown you, it’s been trimmed down and jacked up in recent weeks, and now in the hours ahead, starting right after midnight, the house rescuers of Nickel Bros will be moving it north, mostly on California SW, from SW Findlay to its new east Admiral location. We’ll be updating along the way.

11:52 PM: Monitoring & escorting vehicles continue arriving. Also, Jeff McCord, the SW Seattle Historical Society executive director who had previously been with Nickel Bros, is here. He says they estimate the move will take 4 hours.

12:10 AM: Jeff (in hard hat, above)tells us the departure onto California will be closer to 12:30.

On Calif now! pic.twitter.com/3IYXs3RId6

— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) December 3, 2017

12:35 AM: And it’s off!

NB on California.

And north of Oregon pic.twitter.com/vEJ4LPinXY

— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) December 3, 2017

1 AM: This is moving fairly fast. Already through The Junction – our video is from California/Oregon.

Passing Andover. pic.twitter.com/QdeUjhBR7A

— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) December 3, 2017

1:10 AM: Now approaching Charlestown. (Our video above is from just south of there, at Andover.)

1:15 AM: We’ve gone a few blocks ahead to wait at Hanford, where our understanding is that the house will make the turn eastward here.

1:35 AM: Proceeding very very slowly up this last block before Hanford.

1:51 AM: Now at Hanford, and doing some delicate maneuvering to get in position to head directly east onto the street, past St. John the Baptist.

1:56 AM: Up the hill it goes, off the California SW straightaway and into residential streets.

2:35 AM: Two hours since the departure from California/Findlay. Very slow going on Hanford because of trees in the planting strips …

Crew members are pushing them back to make room for the house’s full width.

2:57 AM: The house made it past that section and is now moving more quickly east on Hanford, Meantime, thanks to Derek for this aerial view of the house moving past Manning on California earlier:

One of the officers escorting the house tells us it will be backing into its final turn one more block from here.

3:09 AM: This last bit of movement will be an art more than a spectacle, so we’re pulling out and will come back after dawn to see the house on its new site.

11:51 AM: The house still has to be placed into its new spot off Fairmount north of Hanford – we went by a little while ago and it’s still attached to the Nickel Bros truck that carried it there overnight. That section of Fairmount is blocked off with “road closed” signage in the meantime.

Chemis December 3, 2017 (12:01 am)

Thanks for the alert this would happen tonight WSB. It was fascinating to see some of the heavy-moving equipment up close, particularly the steerable/adjustable height corner axles and the heavy duty “pusher” that looked like something for moving airplanes.

Good luck with the rest of the move and remodel project Neil and Holly. Thank you for saving this piece of Findlay history and making it a jewel in your home.

Calires December 3, 2017 (1:19 am)

It just passed by my house, it was pretty spectacular, almost like a dignitary’s motorcade (even with people walking alongside). I so appreciate what Nickel Bros. is doing to save the houses in our area that otherwise would be demolished and carted to the dump in the name of “progress”.

WSB December 3, 2017 (1:37 am)

That’s a good way to put it – the motorcade is pretty impressive.

WS_suzanne December 3, 2017 (3:28 am)

It’s so cool seeing the videos! I love that the new owners fell in love with this beautiful house that’s filled with character and history, and is being given a brand new second life with them.

Diane December 3, 2017 (4:01 am)

that last corner was VERY tricky; likely took at least an hour; I gave up finally at 3:30; I watched with great view from start at Findlay; and waited at end spot from 1:30, to the last amazing maneuvers to back it into their street; this is 4th house-move I’ve seen live-in-person by Nickel Bros, and by far the easiest/smallest and straight shot most of the way; couldn’t believe how fast it traveled down California; it really takes dedication and hard work to save our wonderful historic buildings; look forward to seeing it on the new owner’s site; so cool the new location is just a few blocks from me

22blades December 3, 2017 (4:26 am)

What a great story! Thanks for the coverage (at 3 am!). I’ve been following this story for awhile now.

CALIRES above said it best; ” I so appreciate what Nickel Bros. is doing to save the houses in our area that otherwise would be demolished and carted to the dump in the name of “progress”.

Don Brubeck December 3, 2017 (7:28 am)

Awesome coverage!

The videos could be a good start for an action movie with house mover chase scenes. ;-D

Cid December 3, 2017 (7:49 am)

With all the needless destruction in West Seattle of historic homes lately…this makes my heart happy. Eager to see the final “second life” of this little jewel.

miws December 3, 2017 (9:13 am)

The actual move was too late and at the wrong end of West Seattle for me to witness in person, but these vids help make up for that.

Fortunately, I was able to see the old place still at its original location late yesterday morning as the bus went by as I was heading toward the Junction. I had actually forgotten about it but just happened to look out the window to the right as the bus passed by and saw the house sitting in the yard moved off of its foundation. I felt extra lucky to see it there the one last time as I am often sitting in the seat that would have put my back to that.

I did get to witness a house move in person many years ago when the old house on 42nd was moved to clear way to expand Thriftway’s parking lot. I followed it from there up to just before it crossed California. on Findlay, IIRC, and I think that took about three hours. I believe that house was relocated to or near the Charlestown Hill area.

Mike

sbre December 3, 2017 (9:15 am)

Simply fantastic!!

I too stayed up and ventured out to watch as it made its way down California and turning onto Hanford, just amazing!

A few years back I was in North Carolina when the “Cape Hatteras Lighthouse” was moved, another feat to be marveled at. Both these events will stay with me for years to come.

M December 3, 2017 (9:23 am)

Where is it located?

Marianne . December 3, 2017 (9:28 am)

Thank you to Nickel Bros. and new owners for saving a beautiful old house. Thanks to WSB for covering the story (and being up in the middle of the night). Where will the house end up? I would like to see it in its new “home.”