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Overview

Opened in 1955, Lake Hills featured ranch houses set on their own small parcels of land. Two real estate firms, Bell and Valdez and Leonard Homes, collaborated on the development of Lake Hills. Eventually, the development would cover 1,200 acres, and bill itself as "a self-contained city in a country atmosphere." (See Sharon Boswell and Lorraine McConaghy, "The Booming of the 'Burbs," Seattle Times, accessed 03/02/2015.)

Building History

While the first stages of Lake Hills opened in 1955, a fourth stage opened in 10/1956, with later stages schedule for opening the following year. George Bell, a partner in the real estate development firm of Bell and Valdez, noted that a fourth incremental expansion of Lake Hills opened on 10/28/1956. He was quoted in the Seattle Times: "Bell said the company, because of good sales, will continue its present building pace throughout the winter, completing about one home a day. The firm accounts for the employment of 400 persons in its own crew and those of sub-contractors." The development team was one of the first in the region to include infrastructure for the supply of natural gas to heat this tract. "Bell said that of the 300 homes to be converted to use of natural gas today in the Greater Seattle area, 220 will be in Lake Hills. Gas meters into the homes will be shut off at 9 o'clock while the conversion from butane gas is made." (See "New Division in Lake Hills To Be Opened," Seattle Times, 10/28/1956, p. 28.)

PCAD id: 12771