COLUMBIA CITY - On May 3, 1907, after 14 years as an independent town, Columbia City officially became part of the City of Seattle.
The community marked the occasion by having the men and boys conduct "a grand clean-up of streets, alleys, and back yards," after which they were "given a supper by the women of Columbia in the town hall." A century later, the neighborhood will celebrate its annexation centennial with music, historical programs, and the dedication of a Centennial Tree by Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels.
It may not seem remarkable these days to think of Columbia City as part of Seattle. It wasn't a controversial decision back in 1907 either - the vote was 109 to 3 in favor of annexation. In other places "the annexation question" stirred up "agitation" - Georgetown stood to have its many saloons rendered illegal by a union with "dry" Seattle; Ballard feared the loss of its economic and industrial base. But Columbia already prided itself on its "dry" status, and its economy had been oriented to Seattle from the very beginning.
Besides, annexation was inevitable: the rest of the Rainier Valley had already joined up. The communities around the streetcar stations at York, Genessee, Hillman City, and Brighton had incorporated in 1906 for the sole purpose of being annexed. By the time Columbia voted on annexation in March 1907, the town was essentially an island surrounded by the sea of Seattle.
So this isn't a dramatic story of conflict or intrigue (though I am curious about those three "no" votes). But as we mark our 100th year as Seattleites, it is interesting to consider Columbia City's relationship to the greater metropolis - both the ways we are clearly connected, and the things that set us apart as a distinct community.
And we can also note the effect those early years of independent development have had on our community over the last century, and today.
A PROUD COMMUNITY
Starting in 1891, when the first lots went on sale in Columbia City, the town was built essentially from scratch. Columbia's citizens elected leaders, levied taxes, hired officials, and made laws. They set up a health department, a school district, and a water system. They formed a volunteer fire department and fielded a baseball team. They built bridges and roads, homes and businesses, institutions. It was a community they were proud of.
When they annexed to Seattle, they became, as Mayor W.W. Phalen put it, "a part of one of the most up-to-date, enterprising, and progressive cities in the world." They gained access to citywide services such as electricity, water, police and fire protection. The town's councilmen were no doubt relieved to hand over the endless street improvement projects, streetcar franchises and telephone service negotiations to Seattle's government. But annexation also meant that Columbia's citizens gave up a measure of independence and identity, ceding local control to a burgeoning city that now boasted nearly a quarter-million people.
We still retain the heart of the community built by those founding families, however. Columbia City is now a bustling pedestrian-friendly core of charming historic buildings - the retail, restaurant, and entertainment center of the neighborhood. This was, in a way, their vision all along - and it's their gift to us.
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR COLUMBIA CITY'S CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
The celebration starts Wednesday, May 2, with the opening of the Columbia City Farmers Market. The Rainier Valley Historical Society will be there with a display of historic photos of farming in the Rainier Valley; Market farmers will bring in historical farming equipment to share; and the band will play old time music in honor of the centennial. The Columbia City Farmers Market is open every Wednesday from 3 to 7 pm May through October, at 37th and Edmonds in Columbia City.
Then on Friday, May 4, it's the opening of the 2007 Beatwalk season! The usual $5 cover gets you in to all musical venues; kids are free. You can also peruse a timeline of historic photographs of Columbia City, on display in business windows throughout the district.
On Saturday, May 5, the Rainier Valley Historical Society hosts its 116th Annual Meeting - come join us at the Rainier Valley Cultural Center at 10 a.m. for coffee andpastries. RVHS President Buzz Anderson and Director Mikala Woodward will present "The Last Mayor of Columbia City," a slide show telling the story of Columbia City's founding in 1891, its annexation in 1907, and the role of Mayor W.W. Phalen - grocer, baseball player, calithumpian extraordinaire - who presided over Columbia's annexation. Mayor Greg Nickels will be there to offer his congratulations on our centennial as well. After the program, we'll head out to Columbia Park, where the mayor will dedicate the planting of a centennial tree. First 100 people in the door get a free bowler hat and $5 off lunch in Columbia City. Please join us!
Thanks to the Mayor's Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs for supporting the festivities. For more information, please contact Mikala Woodward at the Rainier Valley Historical Society: 722-5177 or rvhsoffice@aol.com.
Rainier Valley Historical Society Director Mikala Woodward may be reached via editor@sdistrictjournal.com.[[In-content Ad]]
