Swetman House
About this property
Swetman House, also known as Swetmann House and Gerhard "Stucco" Johnson House, is a historic residence at 325 5th Avenue in Seward, Alaska. The house was constructed in 1916 and was originally located adjacent to Seward's Mount Marathon. In 1920 or 1921, the original owner, Gerhard "Stucco" Johnson, sold the house to pharmacist Elwyn Swetman on condition that Swetman move the property to his own lot. The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 17, 1978. Gerhard Johnson, was an artist, craftsman, and housebuilder in Seward. His heavy use of stucco earned him the nickname "Stucco Johnson". He was involved in the founding of two of Alaska's earliest prominent banks, the National Bank of Alaska and the First National Bank of Anchorage. He came to Seward in the early-20th century from New York City, where he was an established businessman. Many of his design jobs in Seward and Anchorage featured his trademark use of stucco to cover wood siding. In 1916 he constructed his own house north of the town on a dairy farm. In 1920 Johnson sold the house to town pharmacist Elwyn Swetman, and the house was moved to Swetman's property. Elwyn Swetman died in 1951. Following the death of his wife Viola in 1976, the property was passed by will to the Seward Public Library. In 1979 the Library sold the house to a private party. The dimensions of the house measure 17.5 feet (5.3 m) by 25 feet (7.6 m). In its current location, Swetman House sits on a full concrete basement, a sign of affluency in the time and place because of its cost. It has two floors, plus an attic and has been called the "architectural gem of Seward". National Register of Historic Places listings in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska
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Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).
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Questions about this property
When was Swetman House listed on the National Register?
Swetman House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 17, 1978.
What type of historic resource is Swetman House?
Swetman House is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.
What is the period of significance for Swetman House?
The period of significance for Swetman House is recorded as the industrial era.
Can I research the history near Swetman House?
Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Swetman House will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.
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