More on the Edison Apartments

I just checked on the story about the killing of the landlady at the Edison Apartments. There was a candle light vigil for the landlady there that was attended by 100 people or so. She must have been a remarkable person to have had so many people care about her. I didn't read about any calls for vengence for the poor demented man who killed her. I hope he is getting the help he needs and that the system he slipped through is being reviewed.

I'm staying with cousins Joanne and Gordon for a few days. We, of course, talked about the events at the Edison. She located an old Everett News newspaper saved by our grandparents dated October 2, 1928. The first page headlines were, Edison Apartments are Sold." Here is what the text says. I'm copying it in case we lose the copy of the paper again.

Colby Avenue Apartment is Purchased by J.A. Mathews (misspelled)
New Brick Building Erected by Rudolph Hartmann in 1926.
Property Changes Hands for Figure Between $55,000 and $60,000

Negotiations for the purchase of the Edison apartment house at Colby and 24th Street by J.A. Matthews, who already owned an apartment at 2606 Rockefeller, have been completed, according to announcement made yesterday. Mr. Mathews will take possession of the property on November 1.

The Edison was sold by Rudolph Hartmann who built it in 1926. It is a three story and basement brick veneer structure and contains 18 apartments. Everything modern was put into the Edison by Mr. Hartmann and it has been tenanted to the limit ever since it was completed.

The purchase price was between $55,000 and $60,000.

Mr. Hartmann also is the owner of the Windsor apartments on Hoyt, adjoining which at 2620 is his home.

In the same block he is now razing a frame structure at 2614 Hoyt, which is one of the old landmarks of Everett.


My grandparents had such high hopes going into the business! Imagine the trouble that followed just one year later with the great crash of October, 1929. Joanne, who is 11 years older, remembers my grandmother talking about the heartache of trying to keep the business afloat. She said the teachers who stayed there really helped them because of their steady income. Apparently my grandfather had lost his pension from the railroad and became a dedicated Republican over that experience. Somehow the family made it through the Great Depression and kept the Edison. My grandparents sold it to my parents, who owned and operated it until they retired. My family members owned the Edison for close to 50 years.

Joanne and I are going to look at wedding dresses next. Barb from the Museum of History said that she is interested in a mother/daughter exhibit of wedding dresses. We want to put together documents and photos to go along with the dresses.