Seattle at 150: Vanishing Central District

Seattle's Central District has long been admired as a neighborhood rich in culture and character. For decades, a large segment of the city's African American community called the Central District home. Notables like Quincy Jones, Ernestine Anderson, Jimi Hendrix, and many others grew up there and would later gain worldwide fame. As we look back on the city's history, many say the Central District has lost its soul. But, as Enrique Cerna reports, some longtime residents are pushing for a resurgence of the old neighborhood and a return to its roots.

[@CeCeMe1]

I lived in the CD from 1998 to 2001. That was such a great time to be in that neighborhood. I came back to visit in 2016 and was so heartbroken. Seattle is my 2nd home and I'd love to return one day.

[@listenhere7434]

No! I’d recommend you stay where you are. It’s terrible around here, between these evil politicians & their asinine laws, allowing havoc, criminals & junkies running rampant….You’re not missing anything. Trust me, I’m hoping to move away soon. I can’t take anymore of this madness.

[@Huey_N]

I lived in Yesler Terrace from 1990 - 2000. It was the most wonderful time of my life. I miss those simple times.

[@keithmccain9925]

Wow. I wanna move there

[@dallasbagley]

This is sad man. I have no stake in what happens in the CD, I'm not from there, but it's something I can appreciate. I spent years in Renton, off Rainer Ave, near Skyway, where there also was culture, black owned businesses, a sense of community etc. It too was a beautiful place, with great people. Unfortunately tho, Seattle is rapidly growing, and it's only a matter of time before these places get swallowed up by "progress".

[@alexw853]

What type of Black owned businesses? Because if they weren't descendants of U.S. freed slaves then they aren't relevant. Black immigrants aren't entitled to anything in Washington state or across the U.S. I want this narrator to stop using that stupid African American term as well, we are Freedmen.

[@dallasbagley]

@@alexw853 Mainly restaurants. One that comes to mind was Rain City Deli. That was between 2012-2015 when I was there. Im sure a lot has changed.

[@kennyvspoverty]

Earl educating our gentrifiers on how black people took the CD as there own and once we created value they came to take over

[@GoHARD99]

@Name Name white people

[@GoHARD99]

@Name Name you asked and i just answered for you

[@lastlime3792]

You must be right...that’s why all the rich black people move to all white neighborhoods and get out as fast as They can from black neighborhoods🧢🦥

[@rioharyadi7265]

🎉🎉

[@peterdorn5799]

would like to see someone, pick up Helens mantle and bring back soul food, where if you are hip, enter from the back door

[@KN-wb6un]

Reparations is the solution

[@lastlime3792]

You going to give reparations to the whites who ended slavery, who went to war with Africa to end the slave trade....you sound like a person who knows your history🌱

[@charleswilson7371]

Large cities are becoming a slum. Too many people in them I think. I like small towns, had it with cities

[@abdirahmanalisheikh1568]

Money talks bullshit walks that's life deal with it.

[@listenhere7434]

The most ignorant comment. You left out gentrification, red lining, institutional racism etc. I must remember, you non FBA people come here and have a different mindset. Take that mentally back to your country & build it up. We don’t need your 🦝’ning here.

[@alexw853]

Go clean up your own third world country then. Tell that to all white Arabs and all rich Central and Eastern Africans who are still allowing multiple imperialist groups to ravage and pillage their nations. Don't bring your stank self to the U.S. telling Freedmen about anything in OUR COUNTRY. AT LEAST WE BIILT OUR STOCK EXCHANGE HERE.

[@coffeedrinker613]

Black Folks...it was Jewish before it was black....Don't forget that!!!!

[@thecraplordsell4575]

Who cares, it’s ours now.

[@jstrauss9171]

@@thecraplordsell4575 you still there brush? Traveling there real soon and need info, should I go, should I cancel? What's to enjoy for black family?

[@GoHARD99]

And it was native American before jews what's your point

[@Artificial_sanity]

They haven't seen enough holocaust films. Black people need a better understanding of the effects of the holocaust of 6 million jews. This is vile antisemitism in these comments

[@lastlime3792]

@@GoHARD99 and it was the trees land before that...colonizer🧢🤡