1513 Griffin Ave
Enumclaw, WA, USA

National Register of Historic Places - Louis and Ellen Olson House

Statement of Significant:

The Louis and Ellen Olson House is one of the most prestigious homes in the town of Enumclaw. The Olsons were major figures in the operation of the local White River Saw- mill, the area's largest industrial employer. The building reflects the prominence of this family and its distinctive design and fine interior detailing have made the home one of Enumclaw's showplaces.
The first sawmill in Enumclaw was built in 1892, but was substantially damaged in a fire four years later. In 1897, the mill was bought at a receiver's sale by Louis Olson, Alexander Turbull, Charles M. Hanson, and Hanson's sons A.G., Charles, and Frank. The reconstructed mill was named the White River Lumber and Shingle Company and began production in the fall of 1897.
Olson's relationship with the Hanson's actually began many years before the purchase of the mill. The Hansons and Olson both lived in the same small Swedish village before they immigrated to America. Charles Hanson ran a sawmill in the old village and the Hanson boys and Olson were playmates. The Olsons and Hansons left Sweden at different times, but Louis Olson located Frank Hanson in 1890 in Eddyville, about fifteen miles from Enumclaw. Frank Hanson hired Olson to work in the Eddyville mill, and within seven years, the partnership of Olson and the Hansons led to the creation of the White River Lumber and Shingle Company. Initially, Louis Olson became the general foreman of one of the firm's field mills called Camp Ellenson. Camp Ellenson was named for C.M. Hanson's daughter Ellen, the future Mrs. Louis Olson. Louis Olson became the president of the company in 1920 and served in that position until 1930. The company was purchased by Weyerhaeuser at that time but Olson remained general manager at the mill until his retirement. The mill itself is still in operation.
The economic base of Enumclaw has been its lumber industry and the growth of the community has largely paralleled the growth of the White River Lumber Company. Louis Olson and A.G. Hanson became the dominant figures in the company and their management policies prevented Enumclaw from becoming a typical "company town." Enumclaw was looked upon as a model of progressive independence among so-called "mill towns" which often were totally dependent on company-owned stores and houses. Olson and A.G. Hanson urged the development of the Enumclaw business center and advocated ownership of homes by the employees. Louis Olson and the Hansons spent a lifetime in developing the mill. It was a matter of pride with the officers of the company that its labor turnover was extremely low. There were men working for the firm who had been with the organization since it started, and scores of employees had been with the firm for more than a quarter of a century. This stable work force allowed the mill to manufacture high quality lumber products with great efficiency. It also helped to provide Enumclaw with a stable and secure industrial base. The Olson and Hanson homes that survive in Enumclaw reflect the accomplishments of these families that did so much for the economic development of the community.
Louis Olson married Ellen Hanson in 1905 and they moved into a new home at the corner of Marrion and Griffin. A contemporary newspaper account stated that "nothing has been

spared to make this a thoroughly and comfortable and elegant house" (Enumclaw Courier Herald, November 17, 1985). This reference also noted that the "general style and arrangement was suggested by A.G. Hanson after visiting many handsome residences in various parts of the state. The building was also wired for electricity, though it was not yet available in town.
Nearly all of the homes in Enumclaw are rather modest, usually one or one and one-half stories in height. Many of these buildings can be classified as bungalows and date from the first two decades of the century. A few late Victorian homes in the town do survive which are comparable in scale to the Olson House. One of these is Charles Hanson's home, a Queen Anne dwelling (now converted into apartments) directly across Griffen Avenue from the Olson home. Immediately to the northwest of the Olson building is the home of Selma Smith, Ellen Olson's sister. This home is also a "classic box," and was erected in 1905 by the same contractor.
A short distance to the west on Griffin Avenue is the A.G. Hanson home, which was built in 1923. This fine building is designed in the Colonial Revival Style and exhibits an abundance of ornamentation that is nearly unique in the community. While the architectural significance of any of these homes would not be as great in Washington's larger cities, the Olson and Hanson buildings are probably the finest early twentieth century residential structures remaining in the town of Enumcla Olson

The 1920's interior alterations to the Olson home are also quite significant. reportedly imported European craftsmen to execute the plaster ceilings. While out of character with the interior features usually associated with a "classic box," the remodelings were competently handled and resulted in some very lovely rooms that are typical of certain trends in interior design during this period. These rooms and those of the A.G. Hanson home remain Enumclaw's best example of that particular aesthetic.