History of Capitol Hill, Seattle

As we continue on our journey into the neighborhoods of Seattle, we are heading south to Capitol Hill.  Capitol Hill was once named Broadway Hill, aptly named for the main street in the neighborhood.  However, in 1901, the neighborhood was renamed to Capitol Hill by James Moore.  James Moore was a huge real estate developer who developed most of the area.  Rumor has it that Moore renamed the neighborhood to entice the Washington government to move the capitol city from Olympia to Seattle.

Capitol Hill is home to 48-acre Volunteer Park.  Purchased in 1876, Volunteer Park is rich with Seattle’s history.  The water tower, located within the park, offers an observation deck which sits on the highest point in the neighborhood at 444 feet.  The park also includes an amphitheater, a reservoir, and the Seattle Asian Art Museum. 

This neighborhood is truly unique.  In the northern part of the neighborhood by the park, you can find many historic colonial style homes.  The Harvard-Belmont Landmark District, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, is home to many notable architectural styles.  Other styles include Victorian, neo-classical, and neo-Georgian.  In the southern part of the neighborhood, you will find the Pike/Pine corridor.  Capitol Hill is also home to some of the steepest streets, having a total of 12 steep streets including East Roy street between 25th and 26th Avenue East which has a 21% grade. 

Today, Capitol Hill has a reputation of being very welcoming to the LGBQ community.  In the early 1960’s, many gay and lesbian couples called Capitol Hill home.  Seattle has been known for its rich history in music; the nineties grunge scene was huge.  The neighborhood is home to many smaller music venues where new bands got their start.  The culture of the arts has a long history in Capitol Hill and that still stands today.

Capitol Hill is bounded by interstate 5 on the west, state route 520 to the north, 23rd Avenue to the east, and East Madison Street to the south.