Three years after its move, Stone Cottage still in search of permanent home

(August 18, 2021, reader photo by Rachel)

Three years after being moved off its site, the Stone Cottage remains in search of its permanent home. The “Save the Stone Cottage” organization asked us to share this open letter/update:

Do you own a possible Stone Cottage site? Let us know now

An update to the West Seattle community:

Time flies! We just passed the three-year mark since the one-of-a-kind 90-year-old Stone Cottage was moved on Aug. 18, 2021, from its original site across from Don Armeni Boat Ramp one mile south to temporary storage on Port of Seattle property.

In the past three years, our Save the Stone Cottage committee has examined a variety of options in great detail. To determine the best possible future for this unique building, adorned with 15,000 beach stones, we have studied options for it to be situated on public land or private property near the West Seattle shoreline.

We have narrowed possible final locations to a few select sites. Because some of them involve potential real-estate transactions, we will not disclose them at this point.

We are, however, optimistic. Moreover, we are grateful that we can envision a not-too-distant day when we can carry out the vision that we communicated to the public, the original cottage owners and the hundreds of volunteers and donors to this unique and heartfelt preservation project.

They entrusted us with an inspiring mission: to save and relocate the Stone Cottage within the West Seattle community so that it can be enjoyed for generations to come.

As we near a final decision, we ask that if there is any owner of property near West Seattle’s shoreline who would like for us to consider such a parcel in our deliberations, the time to let us know is now. At 24-by-36 feet, the Stone Cottage totals 864 square feet. Contact us by email at info@SavetheStoneCottage.org.

We also renew our thanks to our fiscal sponsor, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, as well as to Chainqui Development and many other partners and supporters, all of whom are saluted on our website.

Good things do not always come easily or quickly. This is a lesson we have learned in the trenches. But we look forward to the time when all of West Seattle can celebrate a new home for a restored Stone Cottage, which has long been a cherished symbol of the heritage of the Duwamish peninsula.

Onward!

The Save the Stone Cottage LLC
Deb Barker, John Bennett, Mike Shaughnessy, principals
info@SavetheStoneCottage.org

Redevelopment of the cottage’s previous site across from Don Armeni Boat Ramp was imminent at the time of the move, but stalled after being cleared.

Alki resident September 14, 2024 (11:33 am)

How sad. This just tells me it was never meant to leave. It belonged right where it existed. It’s so sad driving past where it was.

Mr Heny September 14, 2024 (12:32 pm)

I agree with you 100%. That original site is a part of Seattles long history. Not a site for some greedy builder to construct more unnecessary condos etc. The site is still a vacant lot and eye sore.
- Alki resident September 14, 2024 (4:29 pm)
  
  My fear at this point is nobody will want to store it or pay for it to be tossed around and eventually will just get destroyed. What a shame. We can’t have nice things. Just overpriced boxes with ZERO personality and charm.
K September 14, 2024 (12:42 pm)

Reading this made me wonder if it was even worth saving. I mean, it’s a cool piece of art, but has no historical significance beyond being among the older homes in the area. A public ask for possible parcels when they have options in hand means those options aren’t great. And given that it’s taken three years to find a “meh” location for what is basically a large art installation, that tells me the general market is not as enamored with the piece as the half dozen people who saved it.
Jim September 14, 2024 (2:53 pm)

Agreed! All in the name of greed

Marcus September 14, 2024 (1:20 pm)

Sad yes. While I always enjoyed the stone house not sure all the effort and money donations was worth it. So many could have been helped by the money spent and now it just sits with no place and no funding for placement.

JustSarah September 14, 2024 (3:30 pm)

Agreed.

Rentonian September 14, 2024 (2:36 pm)

There is a stone retail building (restaurant) on Rainier Ave S, just north of Renton. If there is space available, that would be a great place to relocate.

Derrick September 14, 2024 (4:29 pm)

There is a done of minimally used space in the grassy fields around Rotary viewpoint. Could be a cool way to convert that unused space into something interesting!