Two Spokane houses — Baum House and Phillips House — recommended for local historic register

At the Urban Experience Committee meeting on Dec. 8, Megan Duvall presented two properties recommended for listing on the Spokane Register of Historic Places.

The Isaac and Tilly Baum House (1830 W. Pacific Ave.), built 1889 in the Stick style and attributed to local architect Herman Pruce, was recommended for significance under category A (association with Spokane's early Jewish immigrant community) and category C (architecture). Duvall noted Isaac Baum’s ties to Spokane’s early Jewish settlers and Tilly Baum’s civic leadership, including roles with early civic organizations and work in developing notable properties.

The John and Barbara Phillips House (611 S. Montevilla Drive), built in 1955 and attributed to Warren Cummings Heilman, was nominated under category C for its high artistic value and example of midcentury residential design. Duvall highlighted the house’s projecting facade fins, open-plan interior, and sensitive recent renovation by family members. The nominations were recommended for listing following the Landmarks Commission’s Nov. 19 meeting.

Committee members posed no objections during the presentation; the nominations will proceed through the city’s normal landmarks-adoption process.