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Each year, the King County Executive recognizes outstanding achievement in historic preservation through the presentation of the Spellman Award. The award is named after the first King County Executive, John D. Spellman, under whose leadership the King County Historic Preservation Program was created and the King County Landmarks Commission was established.
In 2007, Spellman Award was presented to the Issaquah Downtown Association for their rehabilitation of the Hailstone Feed Store and Gas Station. With strong support from the City, the historical society, the business community and a host of others, this project demonstrates what can be accomplished when a community pulls together.
The Hailstone, designated a City of Issaquah Landmark and named after the family that operated it for five decades, was originally a feed store and Shell gas station. The business sought to serve local farmers as well as the growing number of motorists on the Sunset Highway - the forerunner to I-90. It finally closed its doors in 1990. But this modest little building was not to go the way of many such historic structures - relegated to the photo archives of the local museum or hanging in a frame on a restaurant wall. This once vacant, deteriorated building has been transformed into a jewel in the crown of Issaquah's historic Front Street, and serves as the offices of the Issaquah Downtown Association.
Jarod Northern also was recognized for his role in the designation of Redmond's Stone House in 2007. Jarod is a 4th grader at Bear Creek Elementary School in Woodinville. In January he and his mother, Renee, attended a meeting of the Landmarks Commission. At that meeting, Jarod awed the commissioners with his enthusiastic and articulate testimony in support of designating the Stone House as a City of Redmond Landmark. He is recognized not only for his contribution to preserving Redmond's history but also for encouraging youth to take action to preserve our historic buildings.
For more information about the Spellman Awards, or to nominate an individual or organization in your community for a future award, contact Julie Koler at julie.koler@kingcounty.gov or 206.296.8689.
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