Ever wonder how a Seattle neighborhood got a name that sounds like it belongs in Washington D.C.? That’s the story of Capitol Hill. This densely populated residential district is east of Downtown Seattle. Capitol Hill is known for nightlife and its vibrant counterculture.
James A. Moore is the man to thank for the name Capitol Hill. He hoped the Washington State Capitol would relocate here from Olympia. Another story says Moore named it after his wife’s hometown: Capitol Hill in Denver, Colorado. Author Jacqueline Williams believes both stories are true. Whatever the real reason, the name stuck. Until the 1980s, people often called it Catholic Hill. This was due to its large Catholic population.
Capitol Hill boasts some of Seattle’s wealthiest areas. “Millionaire’s Row” sits along 14th Avenue E south of Volunteer Park. Here, family residences line tree-lined streets. The Harvard-Belmont Landmark District is another gem. The neighborhood features distinguished apartment houses. Fred Anhalt designed several of them. The Blackstone Apartments are surviving Classical Revival complexes.
However, post-World War II architecture wasn’t kind to Capitol Hill. Architect Victor Steinbrueck lamented the rise of less-than-luxury apartments. He noted their “open outdoor corridors” ruined the “view” windows. Occupants had no privacy unless they kept their blinds shut. Many tenants moved out when their leases expired.
Capitol Hill’s geography is defined by its steep hill. It rises just east of downtown Seattle. Interstate 5 bounds it to the west. State Route 520 and Interlaken Park mark the northern border. E. Pike and E. Madison Streets are to the south. 23rd and 24th Avenues E. define the eastern edge.
Broadway is Capitol Hill’s main street. It is the commercial heart of the district. Other major streets include 10th, 12th, 15th, and 19th Avenues. These run north-south. E. Pine, E. Pike, E. John, E. Thomas, E. Aloha Streets and E. Olive Way run east-west. E. Pike Street, E. Pine Street, Broadway, 15th Avenue, and E. Olive Way are retail hubs. The Pike-Pine corridor is another busy area. It is full of coffee shops, bars, restaurants, and music venues. Mid-rise buildings characterize the neighborhood. They house an eclectic mix of businesses.
Volunteer Park contains the highest point on Capitol Hill. It rises 444 feet above sea level. You can find it next to the water tower. Capitol Hill also has some of Seattle’s steepest streets. E. Roy Street between 25th and 26th Avenues E. has a 21% grade.
The Link light rail system serves Capitol Hill. The Capitol Hill station opened in March 2016. It connects the neighborhood to the University of Washington and Downtown Seattle. The station is on Broadway south of John Street and Olive Way.
The First Hill Streetcar line also terminates here. It ends on Broadway at Denny Way. Capitol Hill had city-run streetcars until 1940. King County Metro provides bus service. Routes 10, 12, 43, and 49 are part of the Seattle trolleybus system. The Rapid Ride G bus line is under construction. It will connect downtown Seattle, First Hill, Capitol Hill, Madison Valley, and Madison Park.
Capitol Hill has a strong musical culture. It is associated with the grunge scene of the early 1990s. Today, various genres thrive here. These include electronica, rock, punk, folk, salsa, hip hop, and trance. The neighborhood teems with nightlife and entertainment. Many bars host live music. Numerous fringe theaters add to the scene. Coffeehouses, taverns, and bars dot the major streets. Residences range from modest studios to historic mansions.
Capitol Hill is home to two well-known movie theaters. These are the Harvard Exit and the Egyptian Theatre. The Northwest Film Forum is Seattle’s only cinematheque. It screens films, teaches filmmaking, and produces films. The Broadway Performance Hall hosts lectures, performances, and films. Since 1997, the Capitol Hill Block Party has been an annual music festival.
From the late 1990s to 2018, a “mystery soda machine” dispensed unusual flavors here. Allison Williams of Seattle Met noted Capitol Hill’s changing culture. It may no longer be “weird enough for a persistent enigma.”
Espresso Vivace on Broadway helped start artisanal coffee culture in the U.S. Capitol Hill is a test market for coffeehouses. Starbucks even placed two stealth stores here. Capitol Hill remains a place of constant change. It is a neighborhood with a unique history.