WPA rustic-style fieldhouses leave a legacy of craftsmanship and service

Historical photos courtesy of King County Historic Preservation Program

The Si View Community Center in North Bend is a large, rustic building with lower walls of fieldstone and upper walls clad in half-log siding. The south facade's 1 ½-story front gable has a ribbon of four, vertically oriented windows surrounded by a balcony with a vertical wood-plank railing, decoratively cut out in an Alpine-influenced design.

MIKE SIEGEL / THE SEATTLE TIMES

One of several field houses in King County built in the late 30's and early 40's include the Si View Community center in North Bend.

MIKE SIEGEL / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Large, divided wood-sash windows open up to views of Si and the surrounding landscape.

MIKE SIEGEL / THE SEATTLE TIMES

The Si plan is the most complex of the five remaining local field houses, including this indoor pool with timber trusses spanning the space.

Historical photos courtesy of King County Historic Preservation Program

The Preston Fieldhouse was built by WPA crews between 1938 and 1939 on land donated by the Preston Mill Co. Its river-rock masonry walls are built on a poured concrete foundation. The gabled, wood-shingle roof is more steeply sloped than other WPA-built fieldhouses. The gable ends are clad in wood shingles and supported by large knee braces. An exposed river-rock chimney rises from the stone-sheathed ground floor on the gable end of the southeast elevation of the fieldhouse.

MIKE SIEGEL / THE SEATTLE TIMES

The Preston Fieldhouse was built by WPA crews between 1938 and 1939 on land donated by the Preston Mill Co. Its river-rock masonry walls are built on a poured concrete foundation. The gabled, wood-shingle roof is more steeply sloped than other WPA-built fieldhouses. The gable ends are clad in wood shingles and supported by large knee braces. An exposed river-rock chimney rises from the stone-sheathed ground floor on the gable end of the southeast elevation of the fieldhouse.

MIKE SIEGEL / THE SEATTLE TIMES

The Preston Community Center in Preston Washington is located just off the Preston-Fall City Road. River rocks were used to build the foundations and chimney.

Historical photos courtesy of King County Historic Preservation Program

The site of the Enumclaw WPA Fieldhouse was developed on land in part donated by Pete Chovak and the White River Lumber Co. in September, 1938. It includes a half-log-clad fieldhouse (1940); picnic shelter (c. 1940); three sets of stone stairs (c. 1940); stone retaining walls (c. 1940); baseball diamond (c. 1940); a football field and grandstand (1940); and various mature plantings including two groves of fir trees.

Historical photos courtesy of King County Historic Preservation Program

The site of the Enumclaw WPA Fieldhouse was developed on land in part donated by Pete Chovak and the White River Lumber Co. in September, 1938. It includes a half-log-clad fieldhouse (1940); picnic shelter (c. 1940); three sets of stone stairs (c. 1940); stone retaining walls (c. 1940); baseball diamond (c. 1940); a football field and grandstand (1940); and various mature plantings including two groves of fir trees.

MIKE SIEGEL / THE SEATTLE TIMES

The White Center Fieldhouse was built by WPA crews in 1940 on 12 acres donated by the Mountain View Community Club and known now as Steve Cox Memorial Park. It is a half-log-clad fieldhouse with a shed-roofed porch centrally located on the north facade supported by pairs of log posts, which are joined by short spans of log railing. The intact interior comprises a gymnasium and stage.

Historical photos courtesy of King County Historic Preservation Program

The White Center Fieldhouse was built by WPA crews in 1940 on 12 acres donated by the Mountain View Community Club and known now as Steve Cox Memorial Park. It is a half-log-clad fieldhouse with a shed-roofed porch centrally located on the north facade supported by pairs of log posts, which are joined by short spans of log railing. The intact interior comprises a gymnasium and stage.