The boundaries of the Meadowbrook Neighborhood

The Meadowbrook neighborhood is a small community * in northeast Seattle. It was originally home to members of the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe.

In 1860 the Thorntons purchased 700 acres from the U.S. Government and were one of the first families to settle in the area. Thorton Creek is named after this family.

Other families soon followed. They raised cows, pigs and chickens; developed gardens and fruit orchards.

The community became known as Maple Leaf or “Little Germany” in the late 1800’s because so many German families settled in the area.

The neighborhood is part of the watershed for Ronald Bog and Licton Springs. Water flows from these sources through Thorton Creek and into Lake Washington. As a result this area has always had lush vegetation.

And until the development of the Northgate Mall in 1950 salmon and trout migrated from Lake Washington and up Thorton creek to its headwaters on the campus at North Seattle Community College.

Today Meadowbrook doesn’t have the open spaces or natural areas it once did but you will find a riparian forest and wetland planted along Thorton Creek as it winds past the community center. There’s also Meadowbrook Pond, a natural area/retention pond that’s home to a family of  beavers and other wildlife.

Neighbors have also planted a community orchard and developed Annie’s Playground. The neighborhood has one of the busiest Community Centers in the City, a public pool and of course a Community Council.

In future posts I’ll share more about Meadowbrook’s history. And provide additional information about the many features that make the Meadowbrook Neighborhood a great place to live.

*The Community Council has defined the community boundaries as follows: Southern boundary the north side of NE 95th Street, the western border is the east side of Lake City Way, the northern border is the south side of NE 115th Street, and the eastern border is the west side of Sand Point Way NE.

Ducks at Meadowbrook Pond

Mary

If you ask a native Seattleite, “Where are you from?” Chances are they’ll never just say, “Seattle”. Instead they’ll tell you what neighborhood they grew up in and where they live now. That’s because most Seattle neighborhoods were independent communities with their own personalities and histories before residents voted to be annexed by the City.

Map of Seattle annexations prepared by city engineer, 1938 Courtesy Seattle Municipal Archives (Record Series 2613-03)

As in most cities Seattle’s neighborhoods have changed over time and often developed new identities. What makes Seattle unique is that the City’s neighborhoods have retained a respect for their past.

This means you’ll find familiar landmarks with new uses or businesses that have been here “forever” still in their same locations. Two of my favorite places that come to mind are The Hat and Boots in Georgetown’s Oxbow Park and Borracchini’s Bakery in the Rainier Valley.

The Hat and Boots were built in 1954 as part of a Texaco gas station located on East Marginal Way. The Hat was the office and the Boots were the restrooms. Today these beloved artifacts have been restored and are part of Oxbow Park  (6400 block between Carleton Ave S and Corson Ave S).

Borracchinis is an Italian Bakery in a neighborhood which used to be called Garlic Gulch because the Italian families in the valley outnumbered everybody else.

Today the Rainier Valley is one of the city’s most diverse communities. And while you can still find Italian pastries you’ll also find noodle houses, taco buses, Creole and Cajun food, Eritrean and Mediterranean cuisine, soul food and of course Starbucks.

My Back Alley Seattle posts will feature information about the various landmarks, treasures and quirky places you can find in Seattle’s neighborhoods. You’ll also find helpful links to various community groups, web sites and maps.

As a native Seattleite I’m looking forward to sharing with you some of the people and places that I think make Seattle a great place to live.

All the Best,
Mary