Historic Vision Cheney Cowles’ Old House Workshop Examines What Is Needed To Restore Century-Old Peaceful Valley House

Tucked away in the heart of West Spokane’s Peaceful Valley, a charming old brick residence has slumbered for 36 years, patiently awaiting someone to resuscitate it with infusions of cash and care.

Finally, relief may be in sight for Pietsch House at 1647 W. Main. After decades of disputed ownership, a probate court recently settled the matter and the house was put up for sale. A Seattle resident who had her eye on the historic landmark for years quickly made an offer, and several other buyers lined up in case that sale doesn’t go through.

What it will take to restore Pietsch (pronounced “peach”) House - and how much it might cost - are the focus of the final session of this year’s three-night Old House Workshop, sponsored by Cheney Cowles Museum.

General contractor George Bryant, together with painter Jon Hawkins, plasterer Del Phillips and horticultural consultant Paul Drew, will discuss what’s needed to make the 1,300-square-foot house and its corner lot habitable.

“It was a pretty nice house once,” observes Bryant, owner of Pantheon Architectural Millwork, “and it could be again. It’s in good shape, considering its age.”

The 2-1/2-story, three-chimneyed Italianate-style residence was built in 1891 by German bricklayer Franz Pietsch and two sons, Max and Louis. Pietsch moved to Spokane soon after the devastating downtown fire of 1889, and worked on a number of important local structures, including the Davenport Hotel and the Great Northern Railroad clock tower, now the centerpiece of Riverfront Park.

Linda Yeomans, who will co-chair the Feb. 25 Old House Workshop session, researched and wrote the nomination that qualified Pietsch House for inclusion on the Spokane Historic Register. She speculates that Pietsch chose to live in Peaceful Valley - then known as Poverty Flats - because he spoke German, and preferred the company of Northern European laborers who were gravitating to the quiet new neighborhood.

That Pietsch chose to build the most elaborate house in Peaceful Valley is a testament not to his affluence, but to his craftsmanship as a bricklayer and stonemason.

The Italianate style dominated American residential construction between 1850 and 1880, particularly in the Midwest and San Francisco, but few examples exist in Spokane. Identifying characteristics include decorative elements over tall, narrow windows, which Pietsch House has; and ornamentation in gables, under eaves and around entry and porch elements, which are missing from the Pietsch House.

But Yeomans says Peaceful Valley old-timers still remember white bric-a-brac that once decorated the home’s facade.

Franz Pietsch, an enthusiastic vegetable gardener, lived in the home until his death in 1913. His family continued to use the residence until 1929. From then until 1960, Yeomans says, it was rented to various people, including a series of market gardeners from the Philippines.

Since 1960, the house has stood empty, except for occasional squatters. Exposed to the elements, its interior deteriorated badly.

When, after 30-some years, the city threatened to have the vacant building demolished, relatives stripped the badly damaged interior walls down to the studs, replaced the roof and, with Yeomans’ help, had the home added to the local historic register.

That status qualifies owners for property tax relief, if restoration work is approved by the Spokane Landmarks Commission.

The Feb. 25 Old House Workshop session will begin with a historic overview of Peaceful Valley, followed by a “walking tour” slide presentation by neighborhood resident Nancy Roth.

Then Bryant and the other construction experts will discuss the Pietsch House: what it would take to stabilize the structural walls, install insulation, wiring, plumbing and heating systems; and organize the residence to accommodate three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a new kitchen.

Workshop participants will be invited to ask questions and offer suggestions.

“Basically, all that’s there now is an empty shell,” says Bryant. “Everything will have to be redone, from the floor up.”

Bryant estimates the cost of restoration “using stock materials” at $80,000 to $90,000. That’s on top of the approximate $89,000 purchase price.

“The biggest factor going against the project is that it’s in an area that has been depressed for a while,” says the contractor, “and whoever puts up the money probably won’t be able to get any return on their investment.

“But if they’re looking at it as their own home, I think it’s a very good investment.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 color photos

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: OLD HOUSE WORKSHOP Cheney Cowles Museum’s popular Old House Workshop is scheduled for three consecutive Tuesday evenings, beginning Feb. 11. This year’s workshop will focus on three turn-of-the-century neighborhoods, and include historic overviews, slide-show “walking tours” and case studies of individual residences that have been, or will be, restored.

Here’s the schedule: Feb. 11: Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood (including Corbin Park). Feb. 18: East Central Neighborhood. Feb. 25: Peaceful Valley Neighborhood.

The cost for all three sessions is $21, and pre-registration is strongly encourage. Single-session tickets are $8, if space is available. Registration begins each Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., with workshop programs running from 7 to 9 p.m. at Cheney Cowles Museum, 2316 W. First. For tickets or more information, stop by the museum or telephone 456-3931, ex. 101.