South Park
| Mayors | Dates |
|---|---|
| S.J. Bevan | 1902-1903 |
| G.C. Lingenfelter | 1903-1905 |
| A.G. Breidenstein | 1906-1907 |
Although the land in what is now South Park was first settled in the 1850s, the town was not platted until 1889. A post office opened in 1892, and South Park officially incorporated in 1902. The town was bounded by the Duwamish River on the east and north, 1st Avenue South on the west, and Roxbury Street on the south.
The Grant Street Electric Railway provided trolley service to Seattle, with trains crossing a wooden drawbridge over the Duwamish. Most local industry centered on nearby Georgetown, so South Park retained a more rural character, home to many Japanese and Italian farmers who sold their produce at the Pike Place Market. Newell's Mill was the largest industry in town.
were a few industrial ventures in town. This
1896 photo shows John McAllister's brickyards.
Museum of History & Industry, SHS8413
The lack of a safe water supply was the biggest issue facing the town. The town council explored the possibility of getting its water from Georgetown (which had mains that ran through South Park) or from nearby farms, but none of these plans turned out to be viable. An independent water company's supply ended up being contaminated by sewage. The continuing water woes, along with difficulty in securing electrical service, were large factors in the decision to petition for annexation. As the town continued to grow, it was clear these problems would only become more acute.
South Park citizens voted 131 to 59 for annexation to Seattle on March 23, 1907. On May 3 of that year, South Park's 0.87 square miles and 1500 residents became part of the City of Seattle.
part of the Seattle School District at annexation in 1907.
A slough near the school often contained schoolboys
afloat on small rafts whose instability frequently caused
the boys to arrive at school in wet clothing.
Museum of History & Industry, SHS15438
the Duwamish River to South Park on this wooden
drawbridge. For South Park residents, the trolley
provided a convenient way to travel to Seattle
to shop or to sell produce at Pike Place Market.
This photo was taken around 1891.
University of Washington Libraries,
Special Collections, La Roche 160
about the lack of a safe water supply as the town
continued to grow. In this petition, residents "demand
immediate action toward providing a supply of city water."
Box 3, Folder 11, Town of South Park City Clerk's Files
(Record Series 9174-03), Seattle Municipal Archives
The town also tried unsuccessfully to acquire
electric service. The Seattle-Tacoma Power Company
was one of the companies that did not find
providing power to South Park economically feasible.
Box 2, Folder 8, Town of South Park City Clerk's Files
(Record Series 9174-03), Seattle Municipal Archives
1437 S. Donovan Street in South Park. The town had a
significant Japanese population, many of whom were farmers.
The Wing Luke Asian Museum, 1993.073.027
Cloverdale Street in South Park in 1893. They ran
a general store-type business on their property,
selling live birds, eggs, tools, and many other goods.
Log House Museum/Southwest
Seattle Historical Society, 2006.39.10
conflicts between farmers and other residents still arose.
This petitioner complains about "Italian gardeners
dumping manure on Pacific Avenue."
Box 2, Folder 5, Town of South Park City Clerk's Files
(Record Series 9174-03), Seattle Municipal Archives
final vote going more than two to one in favor
of joining Seattle. This petition was the first step
to getting the issue on the ballot. Many more signatures
were attached on subsequent pages.
Box 3, Folder 6, Town of South Park City Clerk's Files
(Record Series 9174-03), Seattle Municipal Archives