The City of Tacoma’s Landmarks Preservation Commission is expected to vote today on whether to recommend Frisko Freeze, the 58-year-old iconic walk-up hamburger stand, should be included on the city’s register of historic places.
Before a vote is taken, however, the commission will hold a public hearing at 5:00 p.m. in the Tacoma Municipal Building North, 728 St. Helens, Room 16.
On June 25, local preservation activist Marshall McClintock, who completed the nomination application on behalf of the building’s owner, made a presentation to support the business’ historic significance.
“It seems to be considered a landmark already,” said McClintock. “The building, both architecturally and culturally, represents the post-World War II building boom and the emergence of the mid-century American teenage culture in Tacoma.”
In April, the Index first reported McClintock and Frisko Freeze owner Penny Jensen wanted the building on the register. The idea to nominate the building and its signature neon sign, located at 1201 N. Division Ave., traced back to a letter McClintock wrote to Jensen in March.
“Marshall asked if I ever considered [putting the building on the register], which I had, but I knew it was quite a process,” Jensen, who inherited the business when her father, Perry Smith, passed in 1990, told the Index. “Owning a little business, it seems like I’m always buried in paperwork. When he contacted me and offered to do the work, I jumped at it.”
According to newspaper archives and the nomination application, Frisko Freeze was opened July 27, 1950, by Smith. Smith told a reporter at the time that the name’s inspiration came from Seattle Rainiers broadcaster Leo Lassen, who was calling a game between Seattle and ‘Frisko.’ “So I decided to call my place Frisko Freeze,” said Smith, “but I changed the spelling.”
In order for a property to be added to the city’s register, it must be 50 years or older at the time of nomination, and retain its original historic integrity. Though the 696-square-foot building is largely unchanged, in the early-1960s the roof was modified to add wider overhangs and rounded corners. Similarly, an addition was added to the rear of the building in 1962 for a freezer and extra storage space.
During today’s hearing, the commission will listen to comments from Tacomans who support or oppose adding the building to the city’s register. From there, the commission is expected to vote on whether to recommend Tacoma City Council approve a resolution to add the building to the city’s register, which includes approximately 140 properties.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
For earlier coverage of the Frisko Freeze nomination, click on the following links:
Historic landmark status for Frisko Freeze? (04/17/08) — http://tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1196488&more=0
Public hearing planned for Frisko Freeze historic register nomination (06/26/08) — http://tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1250797&more=0
