White Center History

The first settlers in the White Center Plateau arrived about 1870. Early attempts to farm the area were hampered by drainage problems, but logging proved to be a source of cash income and mills soon followed. As the area cleared, severeal-acre parcels were gradually subdivided into residential lots and developments.

The first major point of development of White Center was Highland Park and Lake Burien Streetcar service from Seattle (1912). The trolleys ran approximately along the southern boundary of White Center. The streetcar was followed by a number of small businesses to serve the increasing population. The business core that developed around the junction of Roxbury and 16th Avenue S.W. remains to this day.

A Coin Toss - How White Center Received It's Name

In the summer of 1918, two of the most prominent developers, Hiram Green and George White (brother of 1890-1892 Seattle Mayor Harry White), tossed a coin to decide who should have the privilege of naming the neighborhood.

"...a storied history as a first community for wave after wave of immigrants."

During World War 1, as a result of the increasing Seattle population and White Center’s proximity to the shipyards and to the industrial plants in the Duwamish Basin prompted a large number of people to move to the area. The Depression slowed growth, the World War 2 brought in a host of defense workers employed at the shipyards and at Boeing.

In the early 1980’s there was a dramatic demographic shift in the population of White Center. As a direct result of the refugee resettlement after the Vietnam War, the population became approximately 60% Asian. The original group to refugees soon moved on to establish homes and businesses in and around White Center. Other Asian Americans have continued to take their place ever since. The influx of Asian Americans led the Highline School District to Establish English as a second language programs in White Center Schools. These programs and the area's affordable housing continue to attract immigrants from many countries to the White Center area. The infusion of public housing had a pronounced influence on White Center. On one hand, the community fell prey to social problems often present when a considerable portion of the residents is living at or below the poverty level. The area’s most famous writer- poet, Richard Hugo, called White Center a "triggering town," a place that fires on its people a desire to propel themselves elsewhere. On the other hand, the community has pulled together to address problems with an impressive record of volunteerism, activism, and concern for others.