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