Address: 395 South Engle Road

Date of Construction: 1891

Modifications made in: 1971

Original Use: Residence

2006 Use: Residence

Public accessibility: Private residence, no public access.

History: Samuel E. Hancock, an early Whidbey Island settler, built this house in 1891, overlooking Ebey’s Prairie.  He sold to his brother Ernest J. Hancock, who in turn passed it to his son Justus Hancock.  The house was rewired and plumbed in 1930.  Justus’s son Robert L. Hancock bought the house in 1948.  There was a fire in 1952 which destroyed the living area ceiling and upstairs floor, but they were rebuilt immediately thereafter.  All lower windows were replaced with thermo-pane sash, the house was insulated, and the back porch was enclosed by Robert L. Hancock.  The foundation was replaced in c. 1971 with the same materials as the original.  This consisted of large cedar posts on rock.  The roof was reshingled in 1979.

Description: Queen Anne Farmhouse.  Wood frame set on wood post and stone foundation; rectangle (26’ x 36’); 3 bays wide; 2 1/2-stores.