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Historic Properties of Spokane

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Waikiki Farm Manager's House

Waikiki Farm Manager's House
Waikiki Dairy Caretaker’s House
12720 N. Vistawood Ct See Map
1905
Cutter & Malmgren
None
N/A
08/24/2021

The Waikiki Farm Manager’s Residence, nestled at the bottom of the Little Spokane River Valley, was designed ca. 1905 by the esteemed Spokane architectural firm of Cutter & Malmgren as an extensive remodel of a small existing ranch house. The firm, in consultation with owner Jay P. Graves, selected the newly-popular Tudor Revival style to modernize the building, utilizing false half timbering, moderately steep gables, a large corbeled chimney, exposed shaped rafter ends, hand-crafted chevron design doors, a native stone fireplace, notched trim boards, bands of six-over-one wood sash windows, and shingle cladding and roofing for a picturesque Old English effect. Graves operated his Waikiki property as a model farm to demonstrate modern farming practices and provide quality livestock, often free of charge, to local farms and colleges. When Jay P. Graves acquired the property in 1901 a number of ranch buildings were already present. Graves retained the prominent Spokane architectural firm of Cutter & Malmgren to upgrade the existing buildings and create designs for new farm structures, as well as a magnificent mansion for himself. One of the first improvements to Graves’ model farm was a major remodel of the existing ranch house, ca.1905, in which a large addition was built and the entire building modernized with Tudor Revival ornament. Although Jay P. Graves and his wife lived in this newly remodeled residence for a short time while their Waikiki mansion was under construction, the building became the home of Waikiki Farm managers and their families, and the later east wing served as a staff dining hall.

Management Agreement

Nomination (PDF)