Why Capitol Hill & What Makes It Special

The real estate developer who platted Capitol Hill is credited with naming the area. There is some speculation as to why he gave it this name. Some have said he gave it this name in hopes of enticing the Washington State government to move the state capitol from Olympia to Seattle. However, others have said, he named it after a neighborhood near and dear to his wife, who was from Denver, Colorado. You choose the story you like best, as no one really knows for sure.

Originally the Capitol Hill area was called Broadway Hill because the main thoroughfare was Broadway Avenue. Later, people referred to the area as Catholic Hill because of the large number of Roman Catholics living there at that time.

Capitol Hill is the center of gay life in Seattle and the city's counterculture, while also home to some of the city's grandest mansions and many attractions. Early money moved to Capitol Hill causing it to have its very own ‘Millionaires Row’.

Always an eclectic neighborhood, Capitol Hill has a reputation as the heart of trendy Seattle, and was most closely associated with the grunge music scene.

A stroll down Broadway reveals numerous retail stores and boutiques offering everything from African art to Hot Topic and there are many used and vintage clothing stores on Broadway, a few art galleries along East Pike and Pine Streets, and music stores specializing in hip-hop, dance and electronica, gothic and industrial, or rare used records.

Most of the Hill's major thoroughfares are dotted with coffeehouses, taverns and bars, many hosting live music. There are also numerous fringe theatres for the choosing.