620 Laurel Dr. Rucker Hill National Register District
Charles and Cora Spriestersbach built unique houses in Northwest Everett, The Delta Neighborhood, and Rucker Hill. The
best description of the homes might be “cute and quaint.” If so, they designed their own home as the
cutest and quaintest. Built in 1923 it is reminiscent of an English cottage complete with a simulated
thatched roof with gables and dormers and a stucco finish. Facing north the home has a 180-degree
view of the Everett harbor as well good views of the Cascade Mountains. No doubt the character-
defining feature of the house is the roof – there only one other like this in Everett. The thatched look on
these “Hansel and Gretel” or “Snow White” bungalows is really curved cedar shingles several layers
thick. To restore them requires an expert to supervise the costly installation. Mike and Lisa Greenleaf,
owners of the home since 1992, have restored everything in the house from foundation to plumbing,
wiring to interior plaster walls. After a fire caught the roof on fire, they went on undeterred to repair it
as well
One of the most eye-catching homes on Rucker Hill is the Spriestersbach cottage at 620 Laurel Drive, an
English cottage design unlike other homes in this historic district. Charles and Cora Spriestersbach came
to Everett in the early 1900s and while Charles ran a successful real estate business, Cora was active in
church activities as well as the Everett Woman’s Book Club. In 1923 the Spriestersbachs built this home
on a prized lot with a commanding view of the Everett waterfront and the Cascade mountains.
The English Cottage style had a short surge of popularity at this time in the U.S. (although few in
Washington state) and the Spriestersbach home combines the design’s stucco exterior with cedar
shakes steamed and bended to resemble a thatched roof. A 1980s real estate flyer listed the home as
having 4 bedrooms, 1 and ¾ baths, and a double garage that accommodated one large and one small
car.
When Mike and Lisa Greenleaf purchased the home in 1992, the house was sadly in need of both
exterior and interior repair. They spent around $200,000 to restore it, stripping paint, cleaning the
home and upgrading plumbing and wiring. Unfortunately a heat gun they used in the process set the
house on fire. Reportedly Mike, smelling smoke, first thought someone in the neighborhood was
defying a local burn ban but soon realized the house was on fire and called 911. In fighting the fire, the
roof was badly damaged. Repairs were costly but the Greenleafs restored it as originally built.
