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Photo Essays

Cleo's Apparel

Cleo’s Apparel (4824 Rainier Ave S), a beloved women’s clothing store in Columbia City for 36 years.

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Riding the Number 7: Celebrating Rainier Valley's Heritage and Community

"Riding the Number 7" stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of community, resilience, and dedication that defines Rainier Valley. The

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Ark Lodge Building: Home of Columbia City's Fraternal Past

In this 1937 photograph we see the east side of Rainier Avenue’s 4800 block, with the ornate Ark Lodge building occupying center stage....

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37th Avenue, 1908: What’s Left?

This 1908 photo of Columbia City was taken looking north along 37th Avenue from Dawson Street at the foot of Hitt’s Hill. It is a...

Oral Histories

From Past to Present: Columbia City's Rich Heritage

RVHS Founder Buzz Anderson with KUOW radio host Steve Scher discuss Columbia City history on 1.26.2001

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Hitt’s Fireworks: 1905-1976

Fireworks in Columbia City Thomas Gabriel Hitt, known as T.G. Hitt, was born in London in 1874. He studied chemistry at Westminster...

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An Homage to Columbia School

"It's hard for anyone, even the most pessimistic of pessimists, to spend more than a few minutes in Central Park without feeling that he...

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Calithumpians in Columbia City

Crowd outside Phalen's Grocery during Rainier Valley Fiesta, Seattle, 1915. Property of Rainier Valley Historical Society, Accession...

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Columbia Electric Bakery - From Spark to Flame

The history of bread goes back some 30,000 years, to the hunting and gathering phase of human development. Fast forward a few tens of...

Days Gone By

Columbia Hotel: “All You Can Eat For 25 Cents”

It was a Sunday in 1906 and the Columbia Hotel’s elegant dining room, with white linen tablecloths and floral centerpieces, was featuring...

Days Gone By

Columbia City's First Pool Hall

RVHS photo 1993.001.0032 There is a question as to the date this photograph was taken. Written on the back of this original photo we...

Days Gone By

Frigidaire Week at Grayson & Brown

This is one of my favorite photos and I have it pinned on the wall in my home office. It is a nostalgic reminder to me of our family...

Days Gone By

Columbia Theater in the '30s

This photo was taken looking northeast from the intersection of Rainier Avenue and Hudson Street. The Columbia Theater was a popular...

Days Gone By

The Columbia Laundry

This photo was taken in 1911, four years after Columbia City and Rainier Valley were annexed by the city of Seattle. The building was...

Days Gone By

Hausler Grocery Part 2 of 2: New Building at Rose Street

This is the second of two articles about the Hausler family grocery store. The first article told about their move to Seattle from New...

Days Gone By

Hausler Grocery Part 1 of 2: Grocery Business for Sale - $100

Mr. and Mrs. Hausler bought the inventory and the lease on this building for $100 they didn’t have. He got the money however, by pawning...

Days Gone By

Mr. Hipkins and His Maintenance Car

‘Pa Hip’ was the key man on the streetcar line. This is the shop-built locomotive used as a repair car for maintenance work on the...

Days Gone By

Columbia City’s Favorite Barbers - Circa 1908

The earliest reference we have regarding Columbia City’s barbers, Gardner and LaPorte, is 1907. Their partnership was listed in Carey...

Days Gone By

Rainier Valley Investment Co.

RVHS Photo 1993.001.0012 This 1908 photo shows the office of the Rainier Valley Investment Co. at 4870 Rainier Avenue. The office was...

Days Gone By

Meet You By The Big Rock

The “Big Rock” at 48th Ave. S and S. Ferdinand St. was once the meeting place of Valley Residents. This Photo of the Big Rock, with an...

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