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Join RVHS for a variety of tours, lectures, and special events that showcase Rainier Valley's cultural heritage. Upcoming Events Storytime: Featuring A Ticket to the Pennant Sun, Apr 26 Third Place Books Something for the littlest history lovers! Join us for a lively reading for kiddos (and adults alike!) with local author Mark Holtzen. A fun and engaging introduction to Rainier Valley baseball history! Learn more Beacon Hill Street Fair Festival Booth Sat, May 09 Plaza Roberto Maestas Stop by our booth to learn more about the history of Beacon Hill! Learn more Columbia City Walking Tour Sat, May 16 RVHS Office Explore the people and places that make Columbia City so special with Executive Director Katie McClure. Buy Tickets 100 Years Under the Hood -- From Automobiles to Glassworks Sat, May 30 Rainier Lions Insight Center Join us for our 135th Annual Meeting and a special look at 100 years of the Columbia Motor Co. Building. Please RSVP! Learn More Atlantic Street Center's 25th Annual Juneteenth Celebration Thu, Jun 18 Rainier Beach Community Center Stop by our event booth to learn more about Juneteenth and Rainier Beach History. Please note the event is on June 18th. Learn more Mount Baker Summer Festival Sat, Jun 20 3299 Hunter Blvd S Kick off summer with this beloved neighborhood event! Learn more Hillman City - What's Good Block Party Sat, Aug 08 The Flour Box We'll be back at this neighborhood favorite festival! More details coming soon! Learn more Comet Lodge Cemetery Tour Sat, Oct 17 Comet Lodge Cemetary More details coming soon! Learn more 12th Annual Founder's Dinner Sat, Nov 07 St. Edward Catholic Church Save the date! More details coming soon. Learn more Become a Member Get exclusive early access to events, enjoy discounted rates, and support the preservation of Rainier Valley! join rvhs

Historical society in Seattle, Washington. Our mission is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret the history and heritage of the Rainier Valley. WELCOME TO RAINIER VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Learn More Our Mission To collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret the history and heritage of Rainier Valley and its community and to educate and promote public involvement in, and appreciation of, its history and culture. Upcoming Events See all events Storytime: Featuring A Ticket to the Pennant Sun, Apr 26 Third Place Books Something for the littlest history lovers! Join us for a lively reading for kiddos (and adults alike!) with local author Mark Holtzen. A fun and engaging introduction to Rainier Valley baseball history! Learn more Beacon Hill Street Fair Festival Booth Sat, May 09 Plaza Roberto Maestas Stop by our booth to learn more about the history of Beacon Hill! Learn more Columbia City Walking Tour Sat, May 16 RVHS Office Explore the people and places that make Columbia City so special with Executive Director Katie McClure. Buy Tickets Load More Featured Articles See more articles Our Archives Learn more about our archives Articles & Publications Photographs Newsletters Oral Histories Become a Member Help us preserve and celebrate the history of the Rainier Valley. Be a part of our advocacy for local preservation. Become a Member

Visit us during office hours on Fridays from 10 am to 3 pm or schedule an appointment. Visit Us Visit us during office public hours or schedule an appointment. Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday 1PM - 5PM Saturdays 10AM - 2PM Address Our Office 3710 S Ferdinand St Seattle, WA 98118 Mailing Address PO BOX 18143 Seattle, WA 98118 Contact (206) 723-1663 office@rainiervalleyhistory.org

Help us preserve and celebrate the history of the Rainier Valley. Be a part of our advocacy for local preservation. Support RVHS Your gift helps preserve the stories, cultures, and histories that make Rainier Valley unique. Every donation supports our archives, exhibits, programs, and the creation of Rainier Valley Heritage Hall. Thank you for your support!

Meet our Board of Directors, Staff, and Volunteers who help run Rainier Valley Historical Society. Our Team Rainier Valley Historical Society is guided by our dedicated Board of Directors. Our board members are volunteers who bring expertise in finance, non-profit management, and historic preservation to our organization. They are passionately committed to advancing RVHS's mission and engaging others in the importance of preservation efforts. Karen O'Brien President Mary Charles Vice President Fundraising Committee Chair John DeFranco Treasurer Fundraising Committee Jody Zumwalt Secretary Fundraising Committee Tim Burdick Board Member Facilities Chair Rebecca Corpuz Board Member Membership Chair Laura Day Board Member David Eskenazi Board Member Founding Member Ryan Wadleigh Board Member Archives Committee Chair Katie McClure Executive Director Get Involved Passionate about preserving history and making a difference in your community? Join our dedicated team of volunteers! Fill out our volunteer interest form to get connected. Join the Team

Hillman City Heritage Bell Project Image Gallery Explore Hillman City's rich history and cultural diversity through the transformation of a 120-Year-Old Bell. The Hillman City Heritage Bell project has been nearly five years in the making, tracing back to 2019 when real estate broker and RVHS supporter Ray Akers orchestrated the donation of a 120-year-old cast iron bell. This historic bell was generously given by RVHS Lifetime Members Pete and Helen Sikov, setting the wheels in motion for what would become a significant landmark in Hillman City. Crafted around 1907, this bell once rang out from a church steeple at the corner of Rainier Ave S and S Lucile St, summoning worshippers from various congregations, including the Hillman Methodist Episcopal Church, Pentecostals, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, United Baptist, and Damascus Baptist. Although the exact date of its removal from the tower is unknown, the bell remained on the property as it transitioned to the Dayspring & Fitch Funeral Home, where it continued its presence for three decades until the building was demolished in 2020. Recognizing the bell's historical value, the Rainier Valley Historical Society (RVHS) embarked on a mission to preserve and reintroduce it as a new landmark for Hillman City. In 2021, the restoration began with sandblasting, stabilization, and priming. A "Call for Artists" was issued, leading to the selection of Cathy Fields, a local mural artist and 50-year Hillman City resident, to paint a mural on the bell. Cathy's work tells a captivating visual story, celebrating the cultural diversity of Rainier Valley. Completed in 2022, her mural honors Indigenous Peoples, early pioneers, and notable community members, reflecting Hillman City’s history as a welcoming home for immigrant populations. (Read her full Artist Statement below ) By July 2024, RVHS, with the help of community volunteers and Kohl Construction, developed a stand for the bell at the corner of Rainier Ave S and S Findlay St. The chosen installation site, currently home to "The Flour Box," has a rich history of its own, once being a Shell station turned service station operated by Rudy Hanson from the mid-1960s until his passing in 2008. The Hanson family, who still owns the property, graciously allowed the bell to be installed here, just across from its original home. The project culminated in a grand dedication event on August 10, 2024, during the Hillman City Neighborhood Association Block Party. This significant moment marked the bell’s new role as a symbol of local heritage and community spirit, celebrating the rich history and cultural diversity of Hillman City. Project Timeline 2019: The Hillman City Heritage Bell was donated to RVHS by Lifetime members Pete and Helen Sikov, after the demolition of the Dayspring & Fitch Funeral Home. RVHS begins fundraising efforts at the Annual Founder's Dinner 2021: RVHS initiated the restoration of the bell, with sandblasting, stabilization, and priming, preparing it for a new chapter as a public art piece. A "Call for Artists" was issued, and Cathy Fields was selected to create a mural celebrating the area's diverse history. 2022: Cathy Fields completed the mural, depicting significant moments and figures in Hillman City’s history, from Indigenous Peoples to early settlers and local business owners. The bell was then clear-coated for protection. July 2024: The bell was installed on a custom stand at the corner of Rainier Ave S and S Findlay St, across from its original home. August 10, 2024: The bell was officially unveiled during the Hillman City Neighborhood Association Block Party, marking its new role as a symbol of community and heritage. Meet the Artist Cathy Fields, a mural artist and lifelong resident of Seattle's Hillman City, masterfully blends the real and the imagined in her visual storytelling. Selected by the Rainier Valley Historical Society during their 2020 “Call for Artists,” Cathy’s work intertwines echoes of the past with the blur of contemporary times, resonating deeply with the community she has called home for 50 years. The following is a narrative that goes with the stories circling the bell, beginning with the vignette of native people gathering food and moving to the right around the bell: As the ice age ended, humankind arrived along the Pacific coast. The indigenous people who inhabited what was to become the Seattle area were here for over 10,000 years before the Euro-Americans arrived. The Coast Salish people were made up of various tribes that shared a common language. The scene depicted is of summer time when local tribes come to Lake Washington’s coastlines to harvest food to preserve for the winter. The men would fish and hunt, and women would gather various herbs, berries, fresh water mussels, or, as in this picture, dig camas roots, and much more. Moving right around the bell, the depicted one-room cabin became a neighborhood store in 1901 when Rhineholt and Louise Hausler moved to the area and purchased the property from Clarence D. Hillman. They quickly opened for business on Rainier Avenue at Graham Street. The Hausler store supplied Hillman City residents with a variety of household necessities and kitchen staples. The electric railway stopped a few feet from their porch delivering much of the goods that stocked their store. The Hauslers eventually build a bigger store further south on Rainier Ave. and moved there in 1921. The woman to the right of the store is Mrs. Fumiko M. Noji who, with her husband and family, ran the enterprising Columbia Greenhouse and Nursery between South Orcas and Juneau Streets and what is now Martin Luther King Jr. Way from 1918-1996. They had a reputation for their wonderful tomatoes. Her father-in-law, Isao Noji, was one of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce men who brought the cherry trees from Japan to Seward Park. When the family was interned during World War ll, a good friend who managed the grounds of Sick’s Stadium moved into their home and cared for the property until their return. Eventually a fourth generation family member moved the greenhouses to Kent and the award winning Noji Gardens affordable housing community was planned and built on the property by HomeSight. Also shown in this vignette is the Seattle Renton & Southern Railway that enabled valley farmers to transport their produce into town, make trips to visit friends and family, and encouraged development and new businesses. Sadly funding, safety, and reliability were problematic leading to a loss of licensing. The rails were torn up in 1937 to make way for more buses, trucks and cars. The church building in the distance hosted a number of different faiths over the years. Before it was torn down, the bell was donated to the Rainier Valley Historical Society and is now the “canvas” for this painting. The original Fire Station 28 was built in 1910, three years after Hillman City was annexed into Seattle. It was located at 4525 S. Orcas Street, just east of Rainier Ave. They used horses to pull the hose wagons until they became motorized in 1924. In 1955 the old station was closed and moved to a newly built station at its current location on Rainier Avenue. Rainier Valley wouldn’t be complete without Mt. Rainier. On a clear day it may loom large and appear deceptively near from Seward Park or when driving south on Rainier Ave. Here it is a backdrop for the title section, Looking Back. This Vignette speaks to the valley’s history as a destination for many different immigrant populations over the decades, enriching the area with cultural diversity, perhaps one of our greatest assets. Acknowledgements This project was made possible through the generous support of King County 4Culture, the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods' Small Sparks Fund, the Hillman City Neighborhood Association, Khol Construction, Flamespray NW, Puget Sound Coatings, the Sikov family, and the Hanson family. Special thanks go to the RVHS board members, members, and volunteers, whose time, talents, and dedication were instrumental in bringing this project to life. The Hillman City Heritage Bell now stands as a beacon of our shared history and a reminder of the vibrant community spirit that defines Hillman City. We invite you to visit and reflect on the stories it tells, connecting our past to our present and future. Gallery

Rainier Valley Historical Society's roots go back to 1891, when the families who bought the first lots in Columbia City gathered to celebrate the founding of their community. The "Columbia Pioneers" continued to meet every April for 100 years. During that time they gathered an extensive collection of photographs documenting the early years of Columbia City and Rainier Valley. In 1993 the group reorganized and became Rainier Valley Historical Society. Rainier Valley Historical Society's roots go back to 1891, when the families who bought the first lots in Columbia City gathered to celebrate the founding of their community. The "Columbia Pioneers" continued to meet every April for 100 years. During that time they gathered an extensive collection of photographs documenting the early years of Columbia City and Rainier Valley. In 1993 the group reorganized and became Rainier Valley Historical Society. RVHS inherited the mantle of the Columbia Pioneers, along with their collection of historic photographs, documents, and artifacts. RVHS has continued to expand their archives, which now includes more than 30,000 photographs, documents, artifacts, and oral histories. Through projects such as Dismantling Racism Series, Images of America: Rainier Valley, Rainier Valley Food Stories, Looking Into Courtland Place, Double Exposures, Hidden Stream of Columbia City, Hillman City Time Capsule, and Honored to Serve, we have involved Rainier Valley neighbors in gathering and sharing more stories about our community's unique history. Learn more about The Rainier Valley See more articles Become a Member Help us preserve and celebrate the history of the Rainier Valley. Be a part of our advocacy for local preservation. Support RVHS

We are interested in expanding our collection of photographs, artifacts, and documents. Please let us know if you have items you would be interested in donating. Grow Our Collection We are interested in expanding our collection of photographs, artifacts, and documents. Please let us know if you have items you would be interested in donating. All donation offers must be reviewed by our Collections Committee which meets monthly. While we are grateful for all offers, our Collections Policy requires that items accessioned into the collection have relevance to the history of the Rainier Valley. Cur rent priorities for collecting include: Items that reflect the wider Rainier Valley community, beyond Columbia City. Items that reflect cultural diversity and the post WWII era. If you'd like to discuss a collections donation, please email the collections committee at office@rainiervalleyhistory.org get in touch

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

The Rainier Valley Historical Society maintains an ever-growing collection of photographs. These images are housed within our main database, PastPerfect, for public exploration and research. Additionally, RVHS offers photo essays and curated gallery selection, King County Snapshots, a collaborative project with the University of Washington and other Washington museums. Photographs The Rainier Valley Historical Society maintains an ever-growing collection of photographs. These images are housed within our main database, PastPerfect, for public exploration and research. Additionally, RVHS offers photo essays and curated gallery selection, King County Snapshots, a collaborative project with the University of Washington and other Washington museums. Search Our Database Search our collection of 2,200+ photographs, articles, and artifacts. search Photo Essays Discover photo essays crafted by the RVHS team and guest writers. discover King County Snapshots Explore a curated collection of 350+ photos in collaboration with King County. explore Need help with a project? Looking for images for your project or need research assistance? Reach out to RVHS—we're here to help! Schedule an appointment or email us with your questions. We also handle photo prints and usage requests via email. Contact us at office@rainiervalleyhistory.org . contact us

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!

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 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 Tell us a little bit about yourself and your interests SUBMIT Thanks for your interest! We'll get back to you shortly.