The hottest Local history Substack posts right now

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Seattle's Most Remarkable Day

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 339 implied HN points • 25 Apr 24
💾 History Local history Transportation Economic Development Civic engagement Cultural Events
  1. Seattle's citizens wanted a railroad to connect them to the rest of the country. After being rejected by the Northern Pacific Railroad, they decided to build their own railroad instead.
  2. On a notable day in 1874, the community came together to start building the Seattle and Walla Walla Railroad, marking a moment of pride and determination.
  3. Although the railroad never reached its ambitious goals, it opened new opportunities for Seattle, particularly in coal supply, showing how local efforts can make a big impact.

We all know Levenshulme’s gentrification story. How true is it?

The Mill • 648 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Gentrification Neighborhoods Community Local history Cultural Change
  1. Levenshulme has seen a significant increase in house prices over the past decade, but the population has also grown by 40%, suggesting a more complex narrative than simple gentrification.
  2. The neighborhood of Levenshulme has a history of welcoming new arrivals, from white English people in the 1950s to working-class Irish, Pakistani communities, and later, middle-class residents.
  3. Local residents highlight changes in aesthetics and safety in Levenshulme, with mentions of new businesses like cafes contributing to a 'nicer' look, but also concerns about increasing crime and violence.

Seattle's First Map

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 379 implied HN points • 04 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Local history Urban Studies Cartography Cultural Identity
  1. Seattle's first map, drawn in 1856, shows a small area with just a few buildings and the beginnings of the town. The map reflects a very early time in Seattle's history.
  2. Many of the original settlers were optimistic about the city's growth, even though they faced challenges like dense forests and high tides that isolated their settlement.
  3. The early vision for Seattle was a bustling city with straight streets and large homes, but over time, much of the natural landscape changed and was transformed for business.

Yet More Very Local History

So Here’s a Thing • 963 implied HN points • 27 May 23
💾 History Local history
  1. In Santa Cruz, a hamster given to a young girl in 1911 disappeared when denied the freedom to leave the building.
  2. Despite a photograph of the Miramar Grand Hotel dated 1907, no other historical mention of the hotel has been found, leading to the conclusion that it never existed.
  3. A group known as 'the guardians of the San Lorenzo' were sighted in Santa Cruz for over 150 years before disappearing into the ocean on a raft, with an annual festival still held in their honor.

The Secret History of Santa Cruz, Vol 4

So Here’s a Thing • 865 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
💾 History Local history
  1. Santa Cruz has a rich history with mysterious and unusual events, such as the blessings of a coven of Mail Witches at the post office and the presence of little people in the mountains.
  2. The Darkhouse lighthouse on Barclay Point was related to many shipwrecks but ceased to have accidents after its demolition.
  3. Various oddities and anomalies like forest fires, a mysterious doorway on Cowell Beach, and a flying resident called "Blessed Mary" add intriguing layers to the history of Santa Cruz.
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Secret Santa Cruz, Volume 5

So Here’s a Thing • 786 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
💾 History Local history
  1. Isaac Hatcher, a self-taught architect, forgot to include floors in his biggest commission, leading to a short-lived career in ship construction.
  2. The Sisters of Infinite Procrastination were expelled after their structure was accidentally completed, leading to their fall from grace.
  3. Residents refused to enter a building present after a flood in 1904, believing it appeared mysteriously and remains empty behind false walls.

Secret Santa Cruz, Vol 7

So Here’s a Thing • 609 implied HN points • 04 Sep 23
💾 History Local history
  1. Daniel Rittenhaus claimed his house could float above the ground through a contract with spirits, but was killed in a skirmish with locals and his house destroyed in 1899.
  2. Edward Morey, a respected priest, turned to bee worship after accusing God of stealing from him, and was expelled from the county after causing deaths in Santa Cruz.
  3. Elizabeth Trelawny experimented with pyramids to visit distant planets, but vanished mysteriously in 1922, never seen again.

Happy Thanksgiving

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 419 implied HN points • 23 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Thanksgiving Personal Reflection Local history Conservation
  1. Hope is important during Thanksgiving and we should strive for a just and equitable world.
  2. Nature plays a big role in our lives, whether it's hiking in beautiful places or enjoying the sights and sounds of urban wildlife like coyotes.
  3. It's essential to appreciate the little things around us, like unique plants and animals, and share our experiences with others.

Cleveland's Loss, and Ours

Notes from a Small Press • 14 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Urbanism Writing Community Local history
  1. Richey Piiparinen was passionate about Cleveland and its community. He cared about urban development and enjoyed discussing these ideas with others.
  2. The importance of local connections is highlighted, showing how friendships can inspire new projects. Richey and friends worked together to improve their city.
  3. Richey's legacy reminds us of the value of creativity in places that might feel overlooked. His work showed that every city has stories worth sharing.

Seattle Walks - Update

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 239 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Local history Urban Exploration Books Community Engagement
  1. The author is updating their book about walks in Seattle to reflect changes in the city since it was first published in 2017. They are looking for feedback on the routes and any changes that need to be made.
  2. Readers are encouraged to share their experiences with the walks, including any errors or areas where the directions could be clearer. The author wants to ensure the book is as helpful as possible.
  3. The author plans to remove two walks and add three new ones, and they are asking for opinions on which walks should stay or go.

A Drowsy God and Parboiled Pease

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 219 implied HN points • 23 Mar 23
💾 History Local history Botany Exploration Geography
  1. William Fraser Tolmie, a botanist, explored Alki in 1833 but found it lacking fresh water, which made it unsuitable for a trading post. Despite this, he appreciated the area's beauty.
  2. The Denny Party, which arrived later in 1851, is credited as the founders of Seattle, despite many original settlers leaving the area soon after due to its challenges.
  3. There are debates about how to pronounce 'Alki,' with locals splitting between 'Al-kye' and 'Al-kee', reflecting differences in historical vs. modern usage.

Good Golly Miss Holly

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 79 implied HN points • 11 May 23
🎭️ Culture Natural History Botany Environmental Impact Local history
  1. The English holly, originally from Europe, has become a common but invasive plant in Seattle parks. It was promoted by a socialite and children planting seeds in the early 20th century.
  2. Though hollies are pretty and provide winter berries, they choke out native plants and animals, spreading easily and causing ecological harm.
  3. Many efforts have been made to control this invasive plant, but it continues to thrive and pose challenges in green spaces around Seattle.

The Lost Islands Of Seattle

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 139 implied HN points • 03 Nov 22
💾 History Urban History Geography Cartography Local history
  1. Seattle used to have more islands than it does now. Some islands formed quickly and then disappeared due to construction and changing landscapes.
  2. At one point, Seattle was completely surrounded by water, making it an island for a brief period in history. This showed how much the city has changed over time.
  3. Certain places in and around Seattle, like Seward Park and Foster Island, had unique histories as 'temporary islands' due to seasonal water levels.

At First You Don't Succeed

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 119 implied HN points • 17 Nov 22
💾 History Urban Development Architecture Engineering Photography Local history
  1. Building projects can face lots of unexpected problems, like the Montlake Cut in Seattle, which had issues with the ground underneath.
  2. Sometimes things just don't work out on the first try, as seen when workers had to build new cofferdams multiple times before finally succeeding.
  3. Patience and safety are important, especially in big projects, as rushing can lead to dangerous situations for workers.

My Favorite Maps

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 99 implied HN points • 21 Jul 22
🎭️ Culture Local history Public spaces Exploration Community Engagement
  1. Looking down at the ground while walking in Seattle can reveal interesting sights, such as tracks made by ducks in concrete. It's fun to notice small details others might overlook.
  2. Seattle has artistic hatch covers throughout the city, designed to make the streets more visually appealing. These covers feature maps and landmarks, making them both decorative and informative.
  3. The maps on the hatch covers are meant to help people navigate the city, but many are not aligned correctly. It's a quirky part of Seattle that encourages exploring while walking.

Urban Scavenger Hunt

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 119 implied HN points • 06 Jan 22
🎭️ Culture Urban Exploration Local history Community Engagement Natural History Art Appreciation
  1. Urban scavenger hunts can help you discover unique items in your neighborhood. Look out for fossils in old buildings and carved animals on facades.
  2. Take note of remnants of the past like hitching posts and ghost signs. These tell stories about the history of the area and how it has changed over time.
  3. Pay attention to local plants and geology as you explore. You might find native trees, interesting lichen, or clues about old water features that still exist beneath the city.

Ancient Houses of Denny Hill

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 79 implied HN points • 23 Dec 21
💾 History Urban History Architecture Cultural heritage Local history
  1. Denny Hill in Seattle was heavily regraded in the early 1900s, changing the landscape significantly and moving a lot of dirt and buildings.
  2. Only two houses from Denny Hill still exist today: one is Belltown Funky Studios, which is in bad shape and might be demolished soon, and the other is on Lopez Island, having been moved there in the past.
  3. People often moved houses during the Denny Hill regrade, showing how careful movers were back then; if you know about more surviving houses, it's exciting to hear those stories.

Apple of my Eye

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 59 implied HN points • 27 May 21
🎭️ Culture Urban Nature Food Systems Local history Community Engagement
  1. There are wild apple trees growing along bike trails in Seattle, and they might have started from people tossing apple cores or seeds. It's a fun thought to imagine how they got there.
  2. In the past, Seattle had many orchards with a huge variety of fruits. Back in 1860, there were way more fruit trees than people, with lots of different types of apples available.
  3. Feral fruit trees still exist in the city, telling stories about the connection between nature and urban life. Some trees were once cultivated but now grow wild, showcasing the randomness of nature.

My home town in Manitoba, in 1880.

Wayne's Earth • 0 implied HN points • 24 Dec 22
💾 History Local history
  1. In 1880, a town in Manitoba quickly developed with essential structures like hospitals, schools, grain elevators, mills, jewelry stores, grocery stores, butcher shops, drug stores, and hotels.
  2. Within 20 years, the town experienced significant growth, indicating a rapid pace of development during that period.
  3. The establishment of various facilities and stores in a short time frame demonstrates the town's efforts to create a well-rounded community for its residents.