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RVHS Photo 2002.036.0099. Seattle in April—a time for strolling through blooming cherry blossoms, tuning in to the earliest Mariners’ games of the season, and rejoicing at the occasional sixty-five and sunny afternoon. This month’s recipe takes us back to Rainier Valley nearly a century ago and reflects the spirit of spring gardens flourishing all across the city: Phyllis Macay’s “Famous” Plum Bread. Phyllis Macay was one of many Italian immigrants who lived in Rainier Valley’s old “Garlic Gulch” neighborhood, an area around Rainier Avenue and Atlantic Street, which earned that name in the 1910s because of its large population of Italian immigrants. As Phyllis Macay’s grandchild Vincent LaSelle recalls, Macay had a wonderful garden where she “raised garlic, onions, peppers, tomatoes…In the middle of that garden was a pear tree. And oh! It used to produce pears, I’m gonna tell you that. Then she had five great big cherry trees. Oh man! And one great big Italian prune tree. They would pick the prunes and they’d bring them down to the store and they’d sell them for a pretty good price. They were Italian prunes. Real tasty.” Many of those prune trees—also known as Italian plums—still feed residents of Rainier Valley, serving as a living heritage of the old “Garlic Gulch” neighborhood. Below is Macay’s recipe for plum bread from page twenty-four of the Rainier Valley Food Stories Cookbook, which she created after realizing that she had “a million plums and no idea what to do with them!” Be careful when you make this bread, though, because, like Macay, your friends might soon end up demanding you bring it to every occasion. PHYLLIS MACAY’S NOW FAMOUS PLUM BREAD Phyllis Macay Mix and set aside: ½ cup sugar 1½ cup frozen Italian plums chopped ½ cup dried fruit (cranberries) In a large bowl, separately mix together and set aside: 1 cup whole wheat flour ½ cup unbleached flour 2 Tbsp. wheat germ 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. nutmeg 1½ tsp. baking powder 1 ½ tsp.ground fresh ginger In a small bowl, separately mix together: 1 cup shredded raw carrots 1 cup chopped nuts Lightly coat 2 bread pans with cooking spray and dust with flour. Mix plums into flour mixture well; add carrots and nuts; add 1 Tbsp. vanilla and 2 eggs. Stir well. Pour into pans. Top with whole halves of nuts. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 350° for 50 minutes. Cool, then wrap in wax paper. Wait for 24 hours, enjoy or freeze!

What does it mean to feed a neighborhood? In Rainier Valley, the answer stretches back thousands of years, from the Coast Salish people's village gardens along Lake Washington to the immigrant truck farmers, Victory Gardens, and community P-Patches that followed. The faces and the crops have changed, but the impulse to grow food for your community never has. This collection explores how that tradition has taken root and kept growing across generations. Duwamish Canoe with traditional longhouse in background, Cedar River, 1893. Courtesy University of Oregon Special Collections (PH01_BX13_1418) Rooted in the Land   For thousands of years before Seattle existed, the land that would become Rainier Valley was home to the xachua'bsh, or "lake people," a Coast Salish people and ancestors of the Duwamish Tribe, who lived along the shores of Lake Washington and the rivers that connected it to Puget Sound. Their food systems were deeply tied to the landscape. Women gathered salmonberry shoots, bracken fern, wapato, camas, and berries, while men hunted deer and elk and fished the rivers and lake through the fall salmon season. Silver salmon ran through what is now Genesee Creek, which once drained Rainier Valley into the lake, and fish were dried on racks to preserve them through the winter months. “Coast Salish people have lived along the Duwamish River for thousands of years. An estimated 300 Duwamish people lived in what is now the Tukwila area in the eighteenth century. In addition to hunting and fishing, gathering greens and berries, and digging edible roots, the Coast Salish inhabitants took advantage of the river valley's rich soil and raised food in village gardens”(Drosendahl). While the Duwamish People were never granted treaty rights or a reservation, they were forced to adapt as the white settler community grew around them. Despite the constant risk of being pushed off their land, their village at the outlet of Lake Washington and the Cedar River continued, and evidence shows they cultivated potatoes and other root crops there well into the 19th century. By the beginning of the 20th century, however, the construction of the Lake Washington Ship Canal had destroyed many of their food resources, dramatically altering the waterways and ecosystems the community depended on. Most Duwamish people had no choice but to assimilate. The Duwamish Tribe continues to seek federal recognition today. Mrs Chandler with her chickens. The Chandler farm was located between 46th and 47th Avenue on the north side of Ferdinand Street. (RVHS 1993.001.0093) Early Farming in the Valley Settlers in the 19th century also relied on the land. While the proximity to Seattle may have mitigated some, most had to cook creatively. Typically, settlers had to grind flour, preserve their meat by smoking or salting, while canning, drying or pickling their fruits and vegetables. Most settlers kept cows and chickens to have access to fresh milk and eggs. Once the streetcar arrived in 1891, it became easier to access store bought flour. Iceboxes became the main form of preservation until electricity arrived in the valley.  Nim Sok at one of the New Holly P-Patches in 2001 (RVHS: 2002.036.0170) German, Italian, Filipino, Chinese and Japanese immigrants tended to nearly half of all farms by the early 20th century, competing for farmland and markets. Local truck farmers sold their produce to families, grocers and distributors who would sell the produce all over the city. Italian farmers grew crops on small farms and trucked the produce to the market themselves. In 1921, Seattle passed an Alien Land Law, stopping first-generation Japanese immigrants from owning land. In 1923, the law was revised to prevent U.S. born children of these immigrants from being able to hold property in trust for their parents, causing many Japanese immigrants to put their land in trust with a white lawyer or have their farmland taken. For the next three decades, Japanese and Filipino farmers would battle racist laws, land theft, and discrimination. Want to learn more about Japanese farmers and the Alien Land Laws? Check out this article from the Seattle Civil Rights Labor History Project Victory Gardens RVHS Photo - 2002.036.0247 During World War II, Victory Gardens were a patriotic duty to ensure the production of food for the country, while commercial farmers supplied troops overseas. With the introduction of food rationing in the spring of 1942, Americans had a greater incentive to grow their own fruits and vegetables wherever possible. Beets, beans, carrots, cabbage, potatoes, onions, spinach, and turnips were grown in vacant lots, city parks, flower boxes and rooftops. The Victory Garden became a common feature of the urban landscape during both World Wars, as families tried to become self-sufficient to help the war effort and to feed their families. The Victory Garden was, in many ways, the ancestor of today's P- Patches. In 1944, around 20 million gardens produced about eight million tons of food.  By the war's end, half of all the fresh fruits and vegetables in the U.S were grown in Victory Gardens.  Pictured is Theo Nassar with a wheelbarrow in 1942 in her father’s Victory Garden. Nassar recalls this in an oral history interview for RVHS’s Food Stories Project: My dad had a Victory Garden and he grew everything from okra, tomatoes, peas, carrots, you name it… He’d grow these huge sunflowers. He’d harvest the seeds and dry them and we’d be eating sunflower seeds all winter. The neighbor kids thought we were crazy. They’d say “Bird food, that’s bird food, that’s canary food!” - Theo Nassar P-Patches and Community Gardens The P-Patch program first launched in 1970 as a part of the back to Earth Movement for the first official Earth Day event . University of Washington student, Darlyn Rundberg (later Del Boca) is responsible for creating the first P-Patch. The land for the P-Patch was donated by her neighbors the Picardos who owned a large farm in the Northeast Seattle neighborhood of Wedgewood. What started off as a small corner evolved into a 2.5 acre garden and green space.  The “P” in P-Patch stands for Picardo in honor of the family who helped start the program. The Picardo family first arrived in Seattle from Salza Irpina, Italy in the 1890s and settled in South Park then later Wedgewood. The Picardo family farm once covered almost 30 acres and the vegetables they grew were sold at small grocery stores across the city and at the produce stands in Pike Place Market.  Seattle’s P-Patch Program was the largest gardening program in the nation by 1993. As of 2026, Seattle has 90 P-Patches, 25 of which are in Rainier Valley! Check out the list to see the closest one near you ! There are many other community gardens in Rainier Valley, including Wetmore Community Farm. In 2015, Kyla Rudnick began to transform the previously undeveloped Right of Way, owned by the Seattle Department of Transportation. After three years of work it was transformed into a productive gardening and cultural space and officially opened in the Fall of 2018.  With the help of their partner Stone Soup Gardens, they cleared knotweed and litter and constructed the Spokane Street entrance and garden beds, finishing construction in 2018. Named after the Wetmore family who originally farmed the land, the farm produces over 10,000 square feet of food, including native fruits, berries and mushrooms, which they share with the neighbors in SEED housing and the Rainier Valley Food Bank.  Neighbors working on construction of the Wetmore Community Garden in 2018. Photo curtesy of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. During the growing season (March - October) the farm hosts weekly open hours, so you can meet your neighbors, pick some veggies and get dirty! Visit Westmore Farms: Wednesday 4:00-7:00 (Mar-Oct) 3025 S Estelle St, 98144 Want to learn more about the history of P-Patches and the Picardo family? Check out this article from Northwest Prime Time Columbia City Famers Market 2015. Columbia City Farmers Market The Columbia City Farmers Market grew out of a single flyer posted at a local library. In 1997, a task force of Rainier Valley residents came together with a clear mission: bring fresh produce into the neighborhood, support local farmers, and draw people into the Columbia City business district, which was just beginning its revitalization. Led by community organizer Karen Kinney, the group was scrappy and skilled, made up entirely of local residents who brought their professional talents to the table. Hmong Flower Vendor at Farmers Market in 2005. (RVHS 2002.036.0247) Zip code 98118 is one of the most diverse in the nation, and the team took that seriously from day one. They produced marketing materials in multiple languages, mapped out outreach strategies for schools, churches, ethnic organizations, and community centers, and worked to make sure the market reflected the full breadth of the neighborhood it served. The goal was simple: make sure everyone had access to fresh, familiar food close to home. It took some convincing to get farmers comfortable coming to the south side of Seattle, but by 1998 the market had found its home at the corner of Rainier and Edmunds and hasn't looked back since. Now part of the Seattle Neighborhood Farmers Markets network, it runs Wednesdays from 3:00 to 7:00 PM on South Edmunds Street near PCC Market, from May through October. Over the years it has grown into a beloved weekly gathering place, hosting cooking demonstrations, live music, and community organizations, including the Rainier Valley Historical Society as we worked on our Rainier Valley Food Stories Cookbook. Columbia City Farmers Market circa 2005. (RVHS 2002.036.0170) Bibliography: Drosendahl, Glenn . “Duwamish Gardens (Ray Carrossino Farmstead).” Historylink.org, The Free Encyclopedia of Washington State History, 12 Dec. 2017, www.historylink.org/File/20494. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026. Grant, Nicole. “White Supremacy and the Alien Land Laws of Washington State - Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project.” Depts.washington.edu, depts.washington.edu/civilr/alien_land_laws.htm. Roedell, Michelle. “P-Patch Gardens Take Root in Seattle.” Northwest Prime Time, 2026, northwestprimetime.com/news/2026/01/01/p-patch-gardens-took-root-in-seattle/. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026. "SkEba'kst: The Lake People and Seward Park." Sewardpark.org , sewardpark.org/history/ . Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.

In the early 20th century, small dairy farms dotted the landscape of Rainier Valley, supplying fresh milk to a rapidly growing Seattle. Among the most successful was Rainier Valley Dairy, founded by Smith M. Wilson, whose commitment to quality helped build a thriving local business that would leave a lasting mark on Columbia City and the region’s dairy industry. Rainier Valley Dairy - Columbia City 1920s Rainier Valley Dairy was owned by Smith M. Wilson, who started his first dairy business on Beacon Hill in 1916.  There were many small dairy farms throughout Rainier Valley, but Smith was one of the most successful because of his commitment to the purity of his product. He soon relocated his business to Columbia Street at 4922 Rainier Avenue, on the Northeast corner of Rainier and Hudson Street. Before Wilson moved into the building in 1922, it already hosted a variety of businesses.  When it was first built in 1908, it was home to the Columbia Undertaking Company and then the W.A. Copeland Painting and Paperhanging Company. In 1928, after Rainier Valley Dairy relocated, the building was rebuilt and became Pat’s and Jeff’s Meals and Card Room. After that, it was a popular Ice Cream Parlor for several years until it became the Christian Science Reading Room in the 1950’s. Now it is the home of Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria. The building was restored during the 1990s with the approval of the Columbia City Review Committee and Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board. It is significant as an intact example of a 1920s commercial block and contributes both architecturally and historically to Columbia City. The Photo shows Smith Wilson’s business and delivery truck at 4922 Rainier Avenue. He is the man on the right leaning against a fire hydrant. Due to the growing business, the dairy moved to Rainier Avenue South and South Adams Street, which became the basis for the Darigold Cooperative Milk Processing Plant that is still operating there today.  The Rainier Valley Dairy was noted for their high-quality milk products that were delivered throughout the Valley. This was indicated by the U.S Department of Agriculture Report of September 30th, 1927. They had a rating of 97.66, which was the highest rating of all the 26 dairies tested in the Seattle area.  In 1929, Wilson merged with the Kristoferson Dairy, which was located just south of Dearborn St on Rainier Avenue. Alfred Kristoferson had started his dairy business in 1898 by rowing across Lake Washington with one-gallon milk cans and a quarter measure, which he then delivered on foot. Smith Wilson, as part of the merger agreement, became an employee of the Kristoferson Company, but no position was created for him. So he left the company, sued Kristoferson and won a settlement. He then decided to run for Seattle Port Commissioner. His platform proposed efficient government and honesty. He promised the community that he would place the interests of the public above politics, personalities and special interests.  He was elected in 1932, served until 1942 and kept his promises.  During his term as Port Commissioner, Wilson acquired and managed University Dairy on University Way. He died of a heart attack while working at the Dairy in 1942 at the age of 49. Bibliography Anderson , Buzz. “Rainier Valley Dairy .” South District Journal , Aug. 1999, Rainier Valley Historical Society . Days Gone By. Seattle Historical Sites Search Result - Department of Neighborhoods (DON) . https://web.seattle.gov/DPD/HistoricalSite/QueryResult.aspx?ID=2089850652 . Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.

Join our team of volunteers who help us process archives, develop programming, and host events. Volunteer Form RVHS has collected, preserved, and shared the stories of the Rainier Valley since 1891. Our volunteers are essential partners in this effort. First Name Last Name Email Availability 1 day a week 1 day a month Occasionally What are you interested in helping with? Archiving Events Office hours Special projects SUBMIT Thanks for your interest! We'll get back to you shortly.

Walk through history with us! The Rainier Valley Historical Society is delighted to introduce a historic walking tour of the Columbia City Landmark District. Walk through history with us The Rainier Valley Historical Society is delighted to introduce a historic walking tour of the Columbia City Landmark District. This immersive experience guides participants through 26 significant sites within the district, providing captivating insights through historical photos and detailed information about each location. To enhance your exploration, utilize the interactive digital map provided below for seamless navigation. Alternatively, you may download and print a copy of the map for your convenience. printable map digital map

Help us preserve and celebrate the history of the Rainier Valley. Be a part of our advocacy for local preservation. Become a Member With your support, we provide programs that explore diverse topics including cultural traditions, social activism, architectural history, and environmental stewardship. Your contributions also help us maintain our extensive digital and physical archives, many of which are housed at our Columbia City Office, ensuring public access to this valuable resource. Members enjoy these core benefits: Subscription to all RVHS publications. Presale access and reduced admission to tours, programs, lectures, and special events. Discounted image and document reproduction. 4 Hours of personalized research assistance. Together, we can preserve and celebrate the heritage of Rainier Valley!