The Fosheim House at 2620 Walnut was built in 1910 by a highly skilled German carpenter named Schefler. It is a classic example of the American Four Square style which is a version of Frank Lloyd Wright's trademark Prairie style. Four Squares, or sometimes called the Classic Box, were common throughout America from about 1900 to 1925. The home was built with without plumbing and had an outhouse in the backyard. Before long indoor plumbing was installed and a small room off of the kitchen was converted to a bathroom.

The Schefler family lived in their home until 1935 when my grandfather, John Kristoffer Fosheim bought it for $1,500. Mr. Fosheim immigrated from Norway in 1907 with his wife Anna and sons Martin and John. The Fosheim family previously rented a home at 2202 Cleveland in the Riverside neighborhood. The Fosheim's eventually had six children, with the addition of Emma, Raymond (my father), Lavern and Olivia. The depression times in the 1930's were hard for many in Everett. Even with most family members working they had a tough time making the $15 monthly mortgage payment. Like many Everett families they had a cow in the back yard for milk and chickens in the garage for eggs.

My grandparents died in the 1940's and many of the kids moved elsewhere. Aunt Emma moved back with her family for a few years in the 50's.

Uncle John and Martin remained bachelors all of their lives and lived in the house until John died in 1983. The house was vacant in 1984 when I decided that I just had to keep it in the family so I made an offer to buy it which was accepted.

When I purchased the house it was very close to the same appearance as when it was built including the same checkerboard linoleum on the kitchen floor that I played on as a kid. There was only one ceiling light on the entire second floor with a 15 watt light bulb in it! I made the decision to borrow enough money to totally rehabilitate the house. We stripped most of the inside right down to the studs so that I could rewire and re-plumb the entire house. Inside one of the walls we found the original deed to the property and a child's coloring book from 1910. Just by coincidence a lady stopped by as I was working and said that she used to visit her relatives in the home when she was young. I showed her the coloring book and it was hers! She took it home with her to Ohio and sent me a photo of the home in 1910 when it was brand new. The photo was taken by the famous local photographer Juleen.

During the rehab I tried to keep much of the home as original as possible including reinstalling all of the original window and door molding. I finished my rehab by placing an octagon stained glass window containing the letter 'F' for Fosheim in the front center on the second floor. In the summer of 2001 I decided to do an additional rehab through the City of Everett CHIP program. I put a new wrap around porch on the back, a new roof and a partial foundation. I have rented the home to many families over the years and I always get a wonderful feeling when I step into my family's historic home.

Page Design by: Cascade Web Designs

Riverside Neighborhood Association