Intro to Social Sciences
Unit: History
Topic: Seattle and W. Washington
Assignment #2 (#1 will be your Mr. B notes )
Introduction: For many students, your family has lived in this region for many decades. For others, you recently moved
here. The Pacific Northwest has always been rich in natural resources: timber, fish, minerals and fertile land. When early
immigrants came here they could easily live off the land and even in 2012, this region is more economically sound than
let’s say, the Deep South. So why did Mr. Best select this topic, the History of Seattle and western Washington? This year
marks the 50th anniversary of the World’s Fair and Seattle’s most famous landmark, the Space Needle. It seemed only
fitting to not only examine that event but also how Seattle changed over the decades. In 1962, President John F.
Kennedy came here and helped launch our 2nd World’s Fair(Many people don’t know we had one in 1909). Other
celebrities came to the Emerald City as well, most notably, Elvis Presley. The history unit will conclude by examining our
Seattle roots and discover how the region evolved.
As you actively read (underline main points that address the aforementioned objectives & 2=+commentary per page), do
the following on notebook paper:
Identify: alki, skid road, Sealth, platting, OSNC, Denny Regrade, Lake Washington Ship Canal
Questions to answer:
1. Describe the role the Denny brothers have on the founding of Seattle
2. Why was there a market for northwest timber in California?
3. What was Henry Yesler’s role in early Seattle history?
4. Who was Doc Maynard?
5. What was the Battle in Seattle?
6. How did the population change from 1870-1910? What were the leading industries during those years?
7. What role did Isaac Stevens have in early Washington history?
8. Which city was selected as the terminus for the Northern Pacific?
9. Summarize in a short paragraph the importance of James Hill in the railroad business.
10. How did timber companies benefit from the railroad?
11. What Seattle event happened on June 6, 1889?
12. How did the Yukon Gold Rush help Seattle prosper? What role did Brainerd have in this?
13. Describe the engineering necessary to transform Seattle.
14. Summarize the AYP fair as described on the last two pages.