1940/1941 First tenants come to Yesler Terrace The first generation of tenants come to Yesler Terrace. They were primarily born in America with occupations ranging from returned GIs to those in school at UW. Aerial view of the construction of Yesler Terrace, Seattle, ca. 1941. University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections, SEA3444 Click outside of the white area to return to the timeline
1948 Change in federal law: state welfare payments were now allowed to be counted as income. This opened occupancy to single parents and children, a change from the earlier model. Yesler Terrace housing project with Smith Tower in background, Seattle, ca. 1943. University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections, SEA3455 Click outside of the white area to return to the timeline
1962 Interstate-5 construction begins Interstate-5 through downtown Seattle reduces access from the Terrace to downtown. Protests delayed the start of construction for a year, from 1961 to 1962. Yesler Terrace housing project showing playground, Seattle ca. 1943-1963. University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections, DMA0348 Click outside of the white area to return to the timeline
1966-1990 The second generation of Yesler Terrace tenants The second generation of Yesler Terrace tenants consisted of a different mix of social classes. Some people were moving out to the suburbs and the intercity population was changing. Conflict with older residents occured due to the elderly needing housing. Yesler Terrace Community Building and offices, Seattle, ca. 1943. University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections, SEA3457 Click outside of the white area to return to the timeline
1990-today The third generation of Yesler Terrace tenants The third generation of Yesler Terrace tenants consisted of emigrants from the Horn of Africa and “Old Country” antagonisms. Many were refugees. Chait, Sandra M. Seeking Salaam: Ethiopians, Eritreans, and Somalis in the Pacific Northwest. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2011. Scott, Joseph W., and Solomon A. Getahun. Little Ethiopia of the Pacific Northwest. New Brunswick, Nj, Transaction Press, 2013. Wrestling ring, Yesler Terrace Housing Project, Seattle, ca. 1944. University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections, SEA3457 Click outside of the white area to return to the timeline
2008 Jean Harris writes a collection of Yesler Terrace Stories Redevelopment of Yesler Terrace is in the planning stage. A first-generation resident of Yesler Terrace, Jean Harris, begins a collection of stories from the housing project. Click outside of the white area to return to the timeline
