Learn the History of this Sacred Place
The dxʷdəwʔabš, the People of the Inside, were the original inhabitants of this land. Under the threat of colonization, they banded together with other groups in the Puget Sound as the Duwamish Tribe. The land was ravaged by logging, industry, and residential development. But through a generations-long effort, a piece of land has been restored and preserved as the West Duwamish Greenbelt. Below we’ve recorded some of the history and stories of this place.
Learn more about the Duwamish people >>
500 A.D.
Four thousand ancestors of the Duwamish people live along the Duwamish River.
1855
Treaty of Point Elliott signed by Chief Si’ahl (namesake of Seattle) of the Duwamish and Suquamish tribes.
1860s-80s
The greenbelt area is logged.
1893
Settlers and land developers burn down the largest Duwamish village, located where the Longhouse is today.
1896
McAllister Brickyard mined clay just south of Highland Park Way.
1903
Puget Mill Company sells and donates sites to the city for parks and playgrounds, including Puget Park.
1910
Abrahamson brick yard operates east of Puget Boulevard, leaving kiln dust deposit.
1911-1912
Puget Mill Company offers 160-foot right of way for Puget Boulevard from Duwamish River up and over Puget Ridge.
1912
Highland Park and Lake Burien Railroad begins service through the lower greenbelt.
1922-1960s
Klinker Sand and Gravel mines the greenbelt.
1941
Barrage balloons are stationed around Delridge and Riverview.
1964
Seattle Parks allows John Yates to establish a horseback riding facility and bridle trails in Puget Park.
1960s
Yates allowed the Ideal Cement Company to fill a ravine with cement dust waste, which remains today.
1970
South Seattle Community College opens on top of Puget Ridge on old gravel pit site.
1977
Seattle Greenbelt Plan identifies 909 acres of the city as greenbelt.
1999
Chinese Garden breaks ground on top of Puget Ridge.
2014
West Duwamish Greenbelt Trails group forms to advocate for trails, forest restoration, and cultural connections.
