Some homes offer more than square footage, they offer stories. The Kirkland Buchanan House, built in 1890 and now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is one such property. Recently photographed by Clarity Northwest’s Derrick Louie, this beautifully preserved Folk Victorian residence tells a rich tale of medicine, architecture, and community.
We’re proud to help document this piece of Washington history, with images that respect the home’s past while honoring the craftsmanship that’s kept it alive.
Kirkland Buchanan House: A Home With Deep Roots in Kirkland’s History
The Buchanan House was built in 1890, during Kirkland’s earliest period of development under the leadership of town founder Peter Kirk and the Kirkland Land and Improvement Company. Originally located at 127 7th Avenue, the home was part of the city’s first planned residential expansion.
More than just a family residence, the Buchanan House also served as a physician’s office in the 1890s. At a time when hospitals were few and far between, most medical care was handled in the home—either in private practices or via house calls. This home represents that unique period in Washington’s early medical history, when doctors served both as caregivers and community fixtures.
The home’s early resident, Dr. Buchanan, and his wife Illie, not only lived in the space but practiced medicine from it—an important chapter in the story of healthcare in Kirkland.
Preservation Through Relocation
In an effort to protect and preserve the Buchanan House, it was moved from its original location on August 15, 2017. This relocation made it possible to conserve the structure while allowing for new development downtown.
Today, the home sits on a carefully selected new site that retains its historical context. Its inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places and designation by the Kirkland Historic Commission ensures that the Buchanan House will remain a celebrated landmark for generations to come.
A Pure Example of Folk Victorian Design
Architecturally, the Kirkland Buchanan House is a shining example of Folk Victorian style—a vernacular approach to high Victorian design that emerged across the American West during the late 19th century.
Defining features of the home include:
- A symmetrical gabled roofline
- Turned porch posts and decorative spandrels
- Clapboard siding in period-authentic tones
- Narrow, tall windows with trim accents
- Bracketed cornices and patterned woodwork
This design balances elegance with simplicity, creating a home that is both visually striking and inviting.
How Clarity Northwest Captured the Story
Photographing a home with this much historical significance requires more than technical skill—it requires a storyteller’s eye. Derrick Louie, one of Clarity Northwest’s architectural photographers, approached the Buchanan House with that mindset.
His shoot emphasized:
- Architectural craftsmanship—highlighting trim work, gables, and original window framing
- Interior-exterior balance—capturing how the home sits in its new landscape
- Material and light—using natural lighting to preserve the textures and tones of aged wood, painted surfaces, and restoration work
- Historical respect—ensuring the images honored the home’s age without over-modernizing its feel
The result is a photo collection that not only presents the home as a listing—but as a piece of living history.
Why Historic Homes Deserve Expert Photography
Listings like the Buchanan House don’t sell on floor plans alone—they sell on story, emotion, and legacy. Whether destined for a preservation-minded buyer or an adaptive reuse project, a historic property must be introduced with visuals that inspire trust, curiosity, and care.
At Clarity Northwest, we understand how to photograph homes with layered histories. Our goal is always to showcase the property’s character—while giving agents and developers the tools they need to market effectively in both modern and heritage-sensitive spaces.
Work With Clarity Northwest
Whether your listing is a 130-year-old landmark or a newly built home, Clarity Northwest offers visual storytelling that gets results. We specialize in:
- Real estate and architectural photography
- Drone and aerial imaging
- Custom media kits for press and marketing
- Property websites and virtual brochures
- Projects involving city, heritage, or landmark commissions
We serve agents, developers, and preservationists throughout the Puget Sound region—and we’re always looking for our next story to tell.
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