Seattle and King County: More History!

• General county history and government
• Histories of King County government programs, facilities and functions
• Beyond the Archives: other sources of King County records
• Sources of non-county records relating to King County history

General County History and Government

• Overview of King County history (external link, Word document)
• Map showing original boundaries of King County
• King County historical milestones
• King County History: topical bibliographies for further reading (external link)
• Historical overview of King County government (PDF)
• Names of King County's past and current elected officials

King County renaming:

• King County Council motion (February 24, 1986) renaming King County after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
• King County Executive's news release (April 19, 2005) on Washington State's confirmation of the county's renaming.
• Revised Code of Washington, current state law (RCW 36.04.170).

Histories of King County Government Programs, Facilities and Functions

These histories can be found elsewhere on King County's Web site. They were written by current and former staff members of King County agencies.

• Boeing Field history
• Bus bicycle racks
• King County Charter history
• Chinook Building: floor name history
• Comprehensive Plan and Growth Management
• Courthouse history
• King County's support of cultural resources (external link)
• King County Ethics program
• Green River homicide investigations
• History of incorporations in King County (external link)
• King County landmarks [list]
• History of Heritage and Landmarks programs (external link)
• Medic One
• History of Roads in King County
• History of surveying in King County
• Transit [milestones and bibliography]
• History of wastewater treatment
• History of the Yesler Building, downtown Seattle

Beyond the Archives: Other Sources of King County Records

Not all of King County's historical records are held centrally at the Archives. Here are other places where you can find county records:

King County Recorder's Office, Seattle

The Recorder's Office is the principal source for officially-recorded documents and maps relating to property. It is also a source for marriage certificates and other recorded personal documents (for example, wills, name changes, military discharge papers).

King County Department of Development and Environmental Services, Renton

The Department, or DDES, is the principal source of building and land use permitting documents and maps for unincorporated King County. It was previously known as the Building and Land Development (BALD) Division.

King County Division of Road Services, Map and Record Center, Seattle

The Map and Record Center holds documents, maps and drawings related to current and historical road and street construction, inspection and maintenance in unincorporated King County.

Puget Sound Regional Archives, Bellevue

This repository is part of the Washington State Archives' regional branch system for preserving local government records. It predates the establishment of the King County Archives in 1988 and was the first designated archival repository for county records. Some records are still retained there, notably older tax assessment records, court case files, and some records of the King County Commissioners (1853-1969).

Sources of Non-County Records Relating to King County History

The King County Archives is a repository of government records only. For general historical information, documents and photographs relating to Seattle and King County, you may wish to contact some of these repositories:

Museum of History and Industry, Seattle (external link)

Special Collections Division, University of Washington Libraries, Seattle (external link)

Seattle Room, Seattle Public Library (external link)

King County Snapshots (external link)

Seattle Municipal Archives (external link)

HistoryLink (external link) is a non-profit community history Web site featuring essays and other independent research relating to Seattle, King County, and Washington State. It is not part of King County government or the King County Archives, which make no endorsement as to the accuracy of the material presented.