OpenStreetMap (new tab)

Google Map (new tab)

Google Streetview (new tab)

Overview

An early work in Olympia, WA, by the recently-arrived architect Joseph Wohleb, this two-story Mission Revival photography studio was erected, according to the Thurston County Assessor, in 1918, although other sources, most notably Michael Houser's web site on the architect for the State of Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, state its date of construction to have been 1912.

Building History

Architectural historian Michael Houser has said of Wohleb’s first known design, the Jeffers Photographic Studio: "The building's Mission Revival style with its stucco walls, red tile roof, and sculpted parapet walls would become signature features in much of Wohleb’s work in the early part of his career." (See "Joseph H. Wohleb 1887 - 1958," Accessed 03/15/2013.) As a youth, Wohleb was raised in Northern California, a setting where the Mission Revival was used frequently, as it was seen as architecturally native to the state.

Owner Richard Janowicz made a quit claim deed of ownership to an ownership group, Jeffers Building LLC on 06/22/2005.

Building Notes

In order to provide consistent light levels for a photography studio, Wohleb add a slanted bank of fixed-pane lights set in metal sash that had a very modern appearance, especially in contrast to the rest of the building's Mission Revival detailing. Most studios for artists and architects had large north-facing windows to admit steady amounts of light for creative work. This window, facing 5th Avenue SE, has been changed over the years; its height reduced, and the upper seven lights covered over by a later building occupant.

In 2016, the Jeffers Building occupied a 1200-square-foot (0.03-acre) parcel.

Land and building had a taxable value of $220,300 in 2016, up from $131,900 in 2008.