In 1889 J. S. McMullen, age 55, pulled up stakes and went out West. He had spent most of his life in Michigan but perhaps he was enticed to start a new life by word of the rich natural resources of the Seattle area. McMullen brought his wife and four adult children, and the family became business leaders in the Fremont neighborhood.
When the Lake Washington Ship Canal was constructed in 1911-1917, people hoped that the canal would benefit Seattle’s business environment. It was difficult to foresee, however, all that might happen, and what would be the actual impact of the canal work. In the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle, Waldo B. Staples found that the new, deeper and wider canal caused problems at first, when part of his property was flooded, but then unexpectedly the canal created a new means of livelihood for him.
Before the present-day ship canal at the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle, there was a smaller, hand-dug channel. It had been used for sending logs to mill, and small boats could travel in the canal. Prior to the completion of the Lake Washington Ship Canal in 1917, no neighborhood-boundary distinction was made as to the south side of the canal at Fremont, so the address of Carl Signor’s Grocery and Feed Store was listed as in Fremont.
The news of Seattle’s Great Fire of June 6, 1889, was carried by newspapers all over the USA. The story of the pioneer City of Seattle which heroically resolved to rise from the ashes and rebuild after the Fire, attracted opportunity-seekers in business, real estate investment and many other fields. One of the newcomers in Seattle immediately after the Fire was Charles E. Remsberg, age 26, of Indiana.
The Fremont neighborhood of Seattle began in 1888 as a named, planned real estate development. With its advantageous location at the northwest corner of Lake Union, Fremont grew rapidly. In addition to its location with access to natural resources like water, Fremont’s vitality can be attributed to its dynamic and enterprising early residents.
In 1894 Ross and Fremont were shown as place names with railroad stops. The ship canal had not yet been built but there was a creek called The Outlet from Lake Union, flowing westward. McKee’s map (see source list)
From earliest days, Fremont residents accessed the resource of water flowing westward out of Lake Union toward Puget Sound. One of the first Seattle settlers to see the advantages of the location was John Ross who had a homestead claim on the small creek.
The Outlet, or Ross Creek, as it became known, was gradually enlarged over the years to allow logs to be floated toward sawmills in Fremont and Ballard, and then out to Puget Sound where products could be loaded onto ships.
Fremont’s early residents continually advocated for a larger canal in place of the creek, though it took many years to see the plans finally go ahead. First a Port District was established by the Washington State Legislature in 1911, and then construction of the ship canal could begin, along with other waterways projects.
On the Lake Washington Ship Canal, the Locks (at Ballard) prevent fresh and salt water from mixing.
Seattle’s Ship Canal crosses the city like a waistline, joining the freshwater Lake Washington to the waters of Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean beyond.
The building of the Ship Canal in 1911-1917 was one of the biggest events in the history and development of Seattle, creating economic opportunities and advantages for maritime and for industries of all kinds.
The 2016-2017 centennial year of the Lake Washington Ship Canal and the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (Ballard Locks) is being celebrated with a wonderful series of events and historic research projects.
Throughout the year 2016 I have enjoyed reading Seattle bloggers’ perspectives of life in the city as portrayed through photos, sketches and writings.
This gallery contains 4 photos.
This house is a distinctive Craftsman Bungalow constructed by Jud Yoho, with many of its original elements, such as wood windows with diamond panes and the original front door. Located at 617 N 47th Street in Fremont, the house was … Continue reading
Some Seattle museums offer free admission on the first Thursday of every month. On the Free First Thursday of December 1, 2016, a trip to museums in downtown Seattle offers the additional delight of viewing holiday-season decorations in nearby hotels and stores.
Saturday, November 19, 2016 at 5 PM is the long-awaited opening of the Growler Guys at 8500 Lake City Way NE. In the 1930s this site on Wedgwood’s western edge was part of a cluster of road houses along the highway. From 1970 to 2016 it was Ying’s Drive-In which closed because the owners retired.
Wedgwood in Seattle History 