Climb the Yesler Hillclimb
Take the Yesler Hillclimb, a pedestrian route linking Little Saigon with Yesler Terrace. It pairs a ramp with a staircase, and mosaics brighten the way as you go. It makes a practical walking connection between the International District and the upper neighborhood.
The Stories Behind the Hill's Names
The neighborhood takes its name from Henry Yesler, a pioneer mill owner, and Yesler Way began as a skid road where logs were dragged downhill to his mill. Over the years, the southern part of First Hill picked up the names Yesler Hill, Yesler's Hill and, more colorfully, Profanity Hill.
Two tales explain that last nickname. In one, lawyers and people with court business cursed their way up the steep grade after missing the cable car, bound for the original King County Courthouse near 8th Avenue and Terrace Street, roughly where the western part of Harborview stands now. The other points to a rough slum on the slope below, on the ground where Yesler Terrace stands today.
Remembering Japantown
Much of the land beneath the housing was once part of Nihonmachi, Seattle's Japantown. During World War II, its residents were forced out and interned under Executive Order 9066. Keep that loss in mind as you explore, since it is an important part of this ground's story and ties Yesler Terrace to the nearby International District.
From 1941 Rowhouses to Mixed-Income Living
The original development was mostly two-story rowhouses, with 561 homes spread across 68 buildings. In a rare touch for public housing, residents enjoyed private yards of their own. By the 2000s, it had become the oldest public housing project in the city.
A 2005 count found 1,167 people living here. Roughly 40 percent of households were African or African American and about 38 percent were Asian or Asian American, with smaller White and Native American shares, a mix that reflects the community's founding as integrated housing.
How the Redevelopment Is Taking Shape
Talk of rebuilding began in 2004, and formal planning followed in 2006 with a planning team and a citizen review panel. Construction got underway in 2013 under the Seattle Housing Authority, which administers the site. Estimated at $1.7 billion, it is the largest redevelopment of its kind in Seattle history.
The plans call for about 5,000 mixed-income homes, plus office space and retail and community space. At least 561 units are reserved for households earning 30 percent of area median income or less. More units serve households at 60 and 80 percent of median income, while private partners build market-rate housing.
Kebero Court opened first, in May 2015, and Raven Terrace followed in February 2016, with full buildout expected to take up to 15 years. Before construction started, residents organized to push back against any plan that would cut the number of homes for the lowest-income households.
Renting at Yesler Terrace
If you hope to rent in the neighborhood, go straight to the Seattle Housing Authority. It manages the income-restricted homes and can walk you through eligibility and current availability. Private partners run the market-rate buildings, so check with each building for details.
Parks, Gardens and Landmarks to Explore
Yesler Terrace is not a place for big attractions, but its handful of small green spaces is worth knowing. Work them into a stroll between First Hill, the International District and Pioneer Square for easy, pleasant stops along the way.
Small Parks a Few Blocks Away
Start at Harborview Park on Alder Street, a city park ringed by historic landmarks, with several other parks a short walk away. Head to Horiuchi Park on Boren Avenue for community gardens and a playfield. Yesler Playfield and Yesler Terrace Park round out the local open space.
Visit the Hinoki P-Patch
Among the newest additions, the Hinoki P-Patch community garden opened in 2023 at 10th Avenue South and South Washington Street. This small City of Seattle garden holds 12 plots. Its modest size makes it a quiet, neighborly spot rather than a showpiece.
Harborview Medical Center
The neighborhood's most prominent building is Harborview Medical Center, an official city landmark. It serves as King County's public hospital and the only Level I adult and pediatric trauma and burn center in Washington. Nearby, look for other named sites, including Old Fire Station #3, the Yesler Terrace Steam Plant and Boren Place.
Getting There and Getting Around
Hop on the First Hill Streetcar, running since 2016, for the easiest way in without a car. It links Yesler Terrace north to Capitol Hill along Broadway and south to the International District along Jackson Street. On foot, take the Hillclimb up from Little Saigon, but be ready for a steep slope.
Neighborhood Schools
Three Seattle Public Schools serve families in Yesler Terrace: Bailey Gatzert Elementary, Washington Middle School and Garfield High School. Confirm current boundaries with the school district before you make plans.
