Columbia City
Columbia City is a growing, vibrant neighborhood in the Rainier Valley area of south Seattle. It was dense forest, inhabited by the local Native Americans, until the arrival of the Rainier Valley Electric Railway in 1891. A lumber mill was built soon after, and settlement of "Columbia" began in earnest in 1891. Columbia incorporated as "Columbia City" in January 1893, and was annexed to Seattle on May 3, 1907.
As of 2004, Columbia City is one of Seattle's most diverse areas in terms of income and ethnicity. By the 1970s, the neighborhood had fallen into poverty, housing stock had deteriorated, and many storefronts along Rainier Avenue S. were vacant.
Columbia City has, however, undergone a good deal of gentrification since the mid 1980s, resulting in restoration of many of the older homes. Today, the commercial strip along Rainier Avenue S. includes several excellent restaurants, a newly opened movie theater, and the national headquarters of the Freedom Socialist Party.
Part of Columbia City was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 as the Columbia City Historic District.
As of 2004, Columbia City is one of Seattle's most diverse areas in terms of income and ethnicity. By the 1970s, the neighborhood had fallen into poverty, housing stock had deteriorated, and many storefronts along Rainier Avenue S. were vacant.
Columbia City has, however, undergone a good deal of gentrification since the mid 1980s, resulting in restoration of many of the older homes. Today, the commercial strip along Rainier Avenue S. includes several excellent restaurants, a newly opened movie theater, and the national headquarters of the Freedom Socialist Party.
Part of Columbia City was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 as the Columbia City Historic District.
