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The publication Georgetown 101
was
created to commemorate the dedication of Oxbow Park
on August 13, 2005. It is one of a series of projects celebrating
the
unique history of Georgetown. The event adds another chapter to
the
continuing story of growth of this neighborhood's character and its
contribution to the diversity of Seattle's heritage.
The
title of the publication, Georgetown
101, is appropriate. It
was
101 years ago that citizens of this area voted for Georgetown to become
a city separate from Seattle. Although the incorporation lasted
only
six years, that independent spirit was ingrained into hope and dreams
of the residents of this vibrant community.
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Duwamish
Tribe: "First Peoples" of the Area
For
thousands of years, the lands bordering the Duwamish, White, and Black
Rivers was home to the Duwamish Tribe, this area's "First
People". The Duwamish were one of hundreds of different Native
American tribes living in the Puget Sound region. Due to the fact
they lived along the river systems, not the outer coastline, they were
known as "people of the inside" or "duampsh".
They lived in
large cedar long houses along the shores of the river and its
tributaries. These locations were perfect for fishing and hunting
and for gathering the many berries, grasses, and edible plants that
were needed for their daily lives. Long houses typically
consisted
of one large room divided into separate rooms by hand-woven cedar mats
hung from the ceiling. Several families lived in each long-house
and shared a common cooking spaces.
How Georgetown Got Its Name
The farming
settlement established by
Collins, Van Asselt and the Mapels was originally known as
"Collins" Luther Collins, who was named the County Commissioner
and appointed himself road supervisor for all of King County, routed
the main road from Seattle to Tacoma to go right by his house.
The road led to a ferry, called the Collins Ferry, which took
passengers across the Duwamish River. Fares randed from 12 1/2
¢
for a "footman" (someone walking) to 50¢ for a man
with a
horse.
After Collins drowned in 182, ferry access was moved several hundred
yards downstream and renamed "Martin's Ferry". |
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Duwamish Valley's First
Settler: John Holgate
By the late 1840's, many pioneers who
had come West along the Oregon Trail to establish new homes and
businesses found that most of the best opportunities were already being
developed in t he Oregon Territory. Some continued south to
California and others pushed north in search of unclaimed land.
It was not long
until the Duwamish Valley was discovered by the pioneers who were
coming north to explore the Puget Sound region. The Duwamish River
provided fresh water and the fertile soil that surrounded the river's
bends was perfect for farming. A combination of ancient beaver
dams and periodic flooding had created meadows instead of dense
forests, which meant it would take less time to clear the land to
prepare it for planting. This type of land was just was the
area's first settlers were looking for to set up their farming
homesteads.
First on the scene was eighteen-year-old
John Holgate.
In 1847, Holgate left his family in Iowa and traveled on the Oregon
Trail with a Quaker wagon train. Before leaving Iowa, he wrapped
the roots of a small fir tree in a burlap bag and brought it
along to plant at his new home.
Legacy of Luther and Diana
Collins
Luther Collins and his family were some
of the early pioneers who headed West. They first settled in the
Nisqually Valley near Olympia, but Luther was restless. He wanted
to see if he could strike it rich in the Gold Rush in California, so he
he left his wife Diana and his children to take car of their livestock
and nursery of fruit trees.
In California,
he
met Samuel and Jacob Mapel and well as Henry Van Asselt - convincing
them to return to the Pacific Northwest with him. After exploring
the area, the filed land claims near the mouth of the Duwamish River -
June 12,1851. Before he left to retrieve his family,
Collins planted potato seeds and a few fruit tree seedlings.
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At some point
the
settlement became known as "Dwamish" which was the name of the Post
Office established there in 1874. When brothers Julius and Dexter
Horton arrived in 1871, they purchased 160 acres of Collins' original
claim. The brothers were very different in personality but both
were very ambitious. While Dexter was against the drinking of
alcohol, his brother Julius saw the possibilities of making money
through the brewing business and land development. On his land,
Julius grew hops, which was they necessary ingredient in making
beer. In 1882, he sold 1 1/4 to Edward Sweeney and William Rule
to build what would became known as the Rainier Brewery.
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Julius,
realizing the potential for
future development, began selling parcels from is land. On one
parcel, he and his wife, Annie, built an mansion. In 1890, they
named this development "Georgetown" in honor of their son George, who
had just graduated from Bellevue Hospital and Medical School in New
York City.
Funding
for projects such as this have been made possible through
support from the City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Small and
Simple Grant Program.
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