Questions of Seattle History (middle-class, lawyers, home)

[Foolster41]

I'm a witter who lives in the West Washington area, and I'm writing a fantasy story that's set in Seattle in mid to late 1930s. One of the characters comes from a very poor family (Poor even relative to others during the great depression) and I need a location where she lives. I have done research at the library and on the net, but I keep getting conflicting information,or places that don't quite fit.

I was thinking Yesler terrace would be a good location, but it was built in 1941, too late. Also wikipedia says first hill has been home to wealthy Seattle residents since the late 1800s, so I'm not sure what the make-up of poorer residents was before then. I know there's not as much of "ghettos" in Seattle, but is there a fitting location that this character can be from?

Also, I don't live in Seattle itself, but would it be reasonable for a single man with a kid (about 12 or so) who's just getting by live close enough to smell the salt air?
Thanks!

[Ira500]

When Yesler Terrace was built, they tore down lots of slum housing.
Yes, the wealthy had lived on First Hill, but by the 30's the area where Yesler Terrace was later built was known as "Profanity Hill" and was known as a center for prostitution.
Another thing going on in the 30's was "Hooverville", a very large encampment of homeless folks where Qwest Filed and Safeco Field currently stand.

[secret_squirrel]

Judkins Park has long been a diverse, multi-ethnic area with a blue-collar history. Many of the Italians in the area grew produce in their backyards, sold it in the city... became the Pike Place Market. Many Japanese families lived in the area and were interred during WW2.

I smell salt air at the waterfront, not the hills around downtown nor downtown proper. And with the factories and mills present in the 30s, can't imagine the fresh salty air being more prominent in those days.

[Foolster41]

Ira: I had heard it was called "profanity hill" because of the incline that lawyers had to go up the hill to the courthouse. I hadn't heard of the prosistion thing. I'm going to do more research on that. First hill has been my primary location, but i wasn't sure.

I had also considered the hoover town. (I didn't know it was where quest & safco feilds are). I discounted that one because I heard there wern't any known single women living there (From a old looking book on seattle history, I forget the title). The character in question has only a mother.

Secret_squiel:
I'll look into Jinken's Park as another possible location.
I'll also remove refrences to smelling salt. I don't think he'd be living on the water front, and probbily will have no reason to go to the waterfront in the first 2 chapters anyway.

Oh, one more question. Do you see a lot of seagulls in the city itself? Down by Pike's place? Up the hill to first street by the SAM? At the Seattle center? Do they tend to group with pidgeons, or alone? This will help with some of the background flavor of my story, I'd like to have a good amount of "seattle" in it.

Thanks!

[Ira500]

Seagulls are in a lot of places. I've seen a lot in Pioneer Square.
...and, of you want it sound accurate, it's First Avenue, not First Street.
Judkins Park is part of the Central District, which borders First hill.

[JupiterFire]

I recommend a visit to the MOHAI (Museum of History and Industry).

They have an enormous permanent exhibit of Seattle history that is quite educational and fun. Maybe you could contact some of their historians if you can't make the trip to the museum.

Good luck

[seamama]

I had to look up your courthouse reference b/c it made no sense to me since the current courthouse is down the hill from First Hill/Yesler Terrace. I was surprised to learn that the courthouse used to be up the hill from Yesler Terrace on First Hill- you learn something new every day!

Be careful how you reference Pike Place Market- although it may have been different in the past, it's currently only called "Pike Place" by locals. References such as "Pike's Place" will get you called out as a non-local for sure!

I've seen seagulls in all the places you mentioned. Usually just one, sometimes two, and sometimes the two are fighting over food. I never really paid attention to the pigeons though.

I've smelled the salty air of Puget Sound from at least 4th and Union (downtown) many times but it just depends on the day/wind I think.

[Foolster41]

Jupiter: It must have been years since I've been inside the Seattle Museum, when I was a teen I think was the last time I was there, though I've been to the Seattle center more recently. I'd like to go again, for no reason besides it's a really cool place.

One of the tricks is now figuring out where their coming from so I can describe the journey. The man and Child I mentioned is not the ones who live in the poor part of town. Basicly characters journey from the shop I mentioned to the poor part of town (Probibly up first hill). I'm not sure where one might have a shop they live above in seattle.

[LongDawson]

Alki area and/or Luna Park.

[Foolster41]

LongDawson: For the middle-class area?
What about upper class (Where my villan lives)?
(No, I don't intend this story to be about "class-struggle", though it's kind of ending up that way. :P )