Site Report 3

Block 47 is between 12^th Ave. NE and Brooklyn Ave. NE, and NE 47^th St. and NE 45^th St.

The area was originally named the Brooklyn District until it became known as the University District when the University of Washington moved to its current location in 1895.  In 1909, Washington hosted the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, which was the state’s first world’s fair. Combine this with the continued growth of the university and the University District became the biggest commercial area outside of downtown Seattle. This type of commercial boom led to a housing expansion.

As one walks towards block 47, one will witness one of the results of that housing expansion. Hotel Deca stands high above the other buildings and was previously known as The Edmond Meany Hotel. The University Community Hotel Corporation raised money in order to buy the corner of 45^th St. and Brooklyn Ave. where they would build their hotel. The Edmond Meany Hotel opened up in November 1931. The ownership of this hotel has changed many times and as of 1997 it is owned by the Noble House Hotels and Resorts who chose to rename it Hotel Deca.

From my primary sources and alternative maps of the area, I have found that the 76 gas station that is currently residing on block 47 has been there for a very long time. I make this connection since it happens to be seen in early maps. I have also found that The Evelyn Apartments were established in 1927.  The Cross Church on the corner of 47^th and Brooklyn Ave.  was dedicated on November 1^st, 1906 and built by Rev. Dr. George Clement King. 

*The types of people that have used the block has varied over time. Since the arrival of the University of Washington, the people living in the area has consisted mostly of students and people employed by the university. Prior to this, the Native American Duwamish tribes inhabited the U District until the first Euro-Americans came over in 1851. Then after the development of the University of Washington, the population was young and mostly in their 20’s and 30’s. Then around 1910 a lot of hotels and commercial structures were built as well as churches. From this we can deduce that there were more business and women coming to the U District or being produced by the University as well as people wishing to practice their religion freely. Family homes started being built around 1920 as well as most of the Universities fraternities and sororities were established in that time. Now a days the U District is a area were people from all over the world come to live.

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