Articles

One block, many lives: the evolving history of Ferdinand Street and Columbia City.

Published in The Seattle Times online on Oct. 9, 2025, Seattle Then & Now Blog on Oct. 9, 2025, and in Pacific NW Magazine of the printed Times on Oct. 12, 2025. Explosive legacy underlies Rainier Valley’s serene hilltop park By Clay Eals THEN: In 1911, haul and sort pyrotechnic materials near shed #17 (right) of then-six-year-old Hitt Fireworks Co. workers on the hill south of Columbia City, bordered by 37th Avenue South and South Brandon Street. ( Museum of History & Indu

RVHS is proud to honor Estela Ortega as our 2025 History Maker, recognizing her over five decades of leadership in building community, advancing equity, and creating opportunities that have shaped the lives of thousands across Rainier Valley, Seattle, and beyond. Born in Harris, Texas, in 1950, Ortega grew up working in the cotton fields from the age of eight. Those early years, marked by hardship and resilience, instilled in her a lifelong empathy for others and a belief tha

Discover the legacy of Bob’s Quality Meats in Columbia City—family-owned for generations, famous for Texas Hot sausage, and rooted in Rainier Valley history.

Nancy Drew is my alter ego – I love a mystery!  Mystery books are at the top of my reading list and, yes, I read Nancy Drew mystery books...

The building at 5608 Rainier Avenue has stood at the heart of Hillman City for over a century, bearing witness to generations of change. American Theatre, 5608 Rainier Ave. S., Hillman City, “Dante’s Inferno.” (Puget Sound Regional Archives photograph, 1935). Opened in 1921 as the American Theatre, it served as a beloved neighborhood movie house and performance venue, offering affordable entertainment within walking distance for local families. Over the decades, the theater e

Take a stroll through time with this 1908 photo of Rainier Avenue, looking East towards the heart of Columbia City between Edmonds Street on the left and Ferdinand Street to the right. Can you recognize what still stands more than 100 years later? Scroll down to test your Columbia City knowledge! View to the East along Rainier Ave. Photo by Ashel Curtis. UW Libraries, Special Collections, UW31146. The Toby Building – 4850 Rainier Ave S (Built 1907) Legend has it that Simeon T

Jean VelDyke was a pioneer, breaking barriers as a woman in business while dedicating herself to improving her community

Discover the history of Veterans Day, from its beginnings as Armistice Day in 1919 to local Seattle commemorations.

Cleo’s Apparel (4824 Rainier Ave S), a beloved women’s clothing store in Columbia City for 36 years.

Honoring Dr. Dorothy Cordova: A pioneer in preserving Filipino American history and cultural pride.

"Riding the Number 7" stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of community, resilience, and dedication that defines Rainier Valley. The

It's been said that the 98118 ZIP code in Southeast Seattle is the most diverse in the United States.

Join us at the Hillman City Block Party for the official unveiling of the Hillman City Heritage Bell - Hillman City’s new landmark!

Meet Cathy Fields and read her artist statement for Hillman City's newest landmark, the Hillman City Heritage Bell.

I was born on March 30, 1947 in Rochester New, York. I came to live in my grandmother’s house, where my dad and uncle grew up. The house...

Rowing is the oldest intercollegiate sport in the U.S. that began with a race between Yale and Harvard Universities in 1852. Years later,...

Rainier Valley’s Connection to the 1936 Olympic Gold Medal Reading the captivating and best selling book Boys in the Boat, inspired us to...

Step back in time with us as we dive into the history of the Columbia Branch Library. In June 1909, the Seattle Public Library...

Presenting: "The Real Boys in the Boat" - A Daughter Remembers Join us and Judy Rantz Willman, daughter of University of Washington crew...