Shoreline's Ronald Place, aka "Red Brick Road" Gets Recognition

Ronald Place facing N 

The "Red Brick Road" in Shoreline has been quietly enduring obscurity for the over half a century. 

Ronald Place facing S from N 175th with access still available

This section of the Ronald Place (North Trunk Road as it was known at the time it was built) was "vacated" and purchased by Aurora Rents owners last year. The owners had to temporarily move 
their store to accomodate the Aurora Phase II Project, since the Right of Way (ROW) would have intruded into the existing building, which had been permitted by King County many years ago.


But now, instead of being hidden, fenced and facing ignominy as merely a "parking lot" for the new Aurora Rents store, it will receive recognition through a special interpretive plaque.  The City of Shoreline has ordered "mitigation" to the SEPA Threshold Determination on the Aurora Rents
Building and Site Development Permit.  The mitigation is to be as follows:

Given the historical interest of the exposed red bricks of the original North Trunk Road located on the subject property (Aurora Rents), the applicant shall work with City staff on appropriate design and placement of a commemorative plaque noting the significance and location of the road and honoring Shoreline pioneer, Judge James T. Ronald, to be installed prior to Certificate of Occupancy."

 The North Trunk Road (now named after Judge Ronald who pushed to have it built to serve the area), as it was officially known when constructed in 1913, has already been badly impacted by planning and development in Shoreline. In 2005 it was listed by the WA Trust for Historic Preservation on its Most Endangered List. http://www.wa-trust.org/PDFs/2005%20Most%20Endangered%20Poster.pdf

The Most Endangered Property List stated that it "is the last exposed section of the first paved highway through northwest King County making it one of the most historic and significant features in Shoreline. The road's two-fold significance lies in its association with the history of transportation in King County and its association with Judge James T Ronald, a pioneer and prominent local resident." 

That was because, the Walgreen's store was slated to remove an important link in the road. Now it is 
truncated by that development and has two isolated sections. One is next to the Aurora Rents property and one is still to the north of the Walgreens and is oddly meaningless next to the "Interurban Park" which is still not officially named or developed. The park is in discussion presently as a part of the new Town Center planning process.

"End of the Road" courtesy of Ronald Bog Blog

But, as the Aurora Rents Permitting process has unfolded, citizens and experts have implored the City to

ensure that this historic asset of our community is clearly identified for its significance and for its founder.

Shoreline Preservation Society is one group that has helped make that effort, by writing comment letters

into the official record. Other citizens have advocated and fought to save this piece of history over the last 30 years or more.  

Now thanks to citizens efforts, and the City of Shoreline's good sense, the road will finally have a clearly defined place in history.  It is a unique historical element of the fabric of our community, with its own beauty, texture, strength and timeless quality.  When you walk on it, you feel an immediate connection to the past.  

It is also recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as eligible for listing.  

It is clearly something of value that gives Shoreline its own character.

Looking North Towards the New City Hall

Here's hoping this time, it will really be saved!

Patterns of History - The Bricks

Shoreline's Unique Historical Asset -
The Red Brick Road - Built in 1909

"Aluminum Specialties" now called Skyline Windows
is located on Ronald Place

Images of things that matter in Shoreline. The Red Brick Road (aka Ronald Place or North Trunk Road)

has the messages of time written all over it.

The Unique Patterns of Shoreline's Red Brick Road have carried 

automobile traffic for over 90 years.

This section is just south of N175th St and has been nominated 

and is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places

because of its unique relationship to the commercial district surrounding it.

It is also listed by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation as "most endangered".

Skyline Windows has a shared history with Ronald Place
It is a Family business that honors the road along with their own history.

Judge JT Ronald was a major advocate for building Highway 99. He owned the property now in the center of Aurora at N175th and had a summer cottage there. He sold the property where Ronald Place now curves away from the Aurora Ave N in order to encourage the development of the highway. 

Judge Ronald also donated the land where the Ronald School now exists and is home to the Shoreline Historical Museum, because he believed in education. He served as a KC Superior Court Judge until 1949 and had also served as Mayor of Seattle 1892 and 1893. Want to read more about Judge Ronald? Interesting article about how his Seattle House was preserved in Seattle Times,

Old memories, new friendship guide restoration of 1880s Leschi house.

http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20040919&slug=homeoldhouse19

We wonder where the Red Brick Road will lead in the 21st Century with all the changes taking place in Shoreline?