Site Report 3: Audio Tour
Welcome to the historic University District! Today, we will study Block 19: located between 9th Ave, Roosevelt Way, 42nd St. and 40th St.
Block 19 is situated on the southwest side of the University District. It is adjacent to the current student-housing section on the University of Washington’s West Campus. The block is located just above the shoreline of Portage Bay and Lake Union.
The natural environment of this area was once rich with wildlife. Prior to the 1860’s, forests, streams, and a meadow lay near where the block stands today. The area surrounding the block’s position was inhabited by the Duwamish Native Americans. However, by 1903 the Native Americans had vacated their home as new settlers from southern Seattle moved into the area (Neilsen 2).
The University District was originally cultivated for it logging. The district developed due to the founding of the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railroad (SLS&E) in 1885, which ran along the shoreline of Lake Union (Historic Preservation and Development Authority). This railroad brought passengers and expanded the commercial aspects of the district. A map from 1905 illustrates that the former rail line ran perpendicular to the south end of Block 19. I discovered an interesting story about the block and this railway from 1894. On August 20, a freight train headed west hit a cow. Train had slowed down at Block 19 due to the close proximity of the animals. However, one cow walked across the track just as the engine went by. The engine was raised off the track and when it came down its wheels went off the rails. The coal tender shot ahead, tearing part of the car off and decapitating a fireman and killing a brakeman. Engineer and coal passer were unhurt. Steam and dust enveloped the derailed cars. The engineer had to run to Fremont to telegraph to stop evening passenger train (“Train wreck in University District, August 20, 1894”). A picture of the wreck is above. The rail line was abandoned in 1970, but was renovated into a section of the Burke-Gilman Trail that exists today.
The largest physical impact to Block 19 was he building of University Bridge in 1919 and the Northlake Urban Renewal Project of 1964. Building the bridge improved access to the University District, which increased the residential population of the area (Historic Preservation and Development Authority). University Bridge connected the neighborhoods of Eastlake and Capitol Hill to the U-District. The bridge connected Eastlake Ave with 10th Ave. Eventually, 10th Ave NE was renamed Roosevelt Way. In 1968, The Department of Community Development created a comprehensive plan for the physical and economic development of Seattle through community planning. They drew a topographical map of the University District in 1968 (shown above). The colored pencil shading indicates streets involved in Northlake Urban Renewal Plan.
The University District developed quickly. The area became residential and commercial. The neighborhoods mostly consisted of single-family homes. However, as the University of Washington grew bigger, the demand for affordable apartments for students grew too. This caused a rise in multi-level apartments and commercial development (Historic Preservation and Development Authority).
Block 19 has remained commercial and residential since its founding. It was originally designated as the Brooklyn Addition. However, over the years it has held a few commercial stores and offices, as well as low-rise apartments. Today, the Dermatology Clinic and Bone & Joint Center at UWMC-Roosevelt is situated between NE 42nd & 43rd St. The lower section of the block is currently under construction. Augusta Apartments by Vulcan Real Estate currently in development at 4041 Roosevelt Way Northeast, Seattle. The apartment complex is scheduled for completion in 2017. Clearly, the University District is continuing to grow and must develop in order to accommodate the demands of the neighborhood’s population.