Katie Mcclure

From thirteen farmers in a parking lot to one of Southeast Seattle’s most beloved weekly traditions. Discover the story behind the Columbia City Farmers Market and the community that built it.

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 that dignity and...

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.