Historic Building Survey - City and Borough of Juneau

Chicken Ridge Historic Buildings Survey
Page 1 of 2
ARRS #:
JUN-227
CBJ #: E-21
Parcel #:
l-c03-0-F01-010-0
Hist.oric Name:
Ot.her Name:
Sommers House
Merritt House
Location
Address: 947 Goldbelt Avenue
Lot/Block/Subdivision: 9 & 10 / 1 / Goldbelt Addition
Current Owner:
Address:
Gerald &.Susan Kuelbs
947 Goldbelt Avenue
Juneau, AI< 99801
Hist.oric Function/Use:
Domestic / Single Family
Current Function/Use:
Domestic I Single Family
Architectural Classification Category/Sub-category:
Late 19th and 20th century Revivals/Colonial Revivals
Materials
Roofing:
Asphalt shingles
Foundation:
Concrete
Walls:
siding
Horizontal wood lap
Other:
Architectural Elements: Wood roof brackets; exposed rafter tails;
double hung multi-paned windows; concave roof over entry; shed roofed
entry. porch; dutch gable
Genera-1Description: Retains integrity, little evidence of change,
important contributing element to the architectural and historic unity
of the neighborhood, good condition.
Historic Significance: This building is significant because it is one of
seven Colonial Revival buildings in the survey area which demonstrate
Juneau'avernacularinterpretation of national styles,because of its
association with Territorial government figures Robert J. Sommers and
Kenneth L. Merritt, and because it demonstrates patterns of community
development in Juneau, Alaska. Sommers was a civil engineer and owner
of the R.J. Sommers Construction Company. He was Superintendent of
the Alaska Road Commission from 1915-1918 and Survey General and
Secretary of Alaska from 1919-1921. The Merritts occupied the home in
the late 1930's and Merritt worked for the Territorial Department of
Revenue.
Construction Date: c.1914 Period of Significance: 1893-1939
Cul~ural Affiliation: Euroamerican
National Register Status/Date:
N/A
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