The New Magnolia history project is up and running online, bringing fresh life to the area’s past. What makes a neighborhood feel like home? People might mention essential spots like grocery stores, schools, churches, parks, and public transportation hubs—but there’s one often-overlooked feature that plays a vital role: a fire station. Though it may not stand out, a fire station is something we rely on in emergencies.
Interestingly, Seattle’s Magnolia neighborhood, annexed in 1891, didn’t have its own fire station until 1934. Before that, the rural area was served by a station in the nearby Interbay neighborhood. The neighborhood’s growth picked up after the 1930 completion of the Garfield Street Bridge, and the need for a local fire station became clear. Fire Station No. 41 was built in the commercial heart of Magnolia, known as the Village, with support from federal relief programs during the Great Depression. Workers broke ground in 1934 on 34th Avenue West, and the building’s design—featuring Streamline Moderne Art Deco elements—remains iconic today. It became a city landmark in 2005.
These and other fascinating historical details are part of the Magnolia Historical Society’s new online project, Magnolia: More Memories & Milestones. This digital initiative follows the success of the society’s previous printed history books but offers the benefit of being continually updated with new stories and images.
The project includes eight in-depth articles on topics ranging from a large pumpkin patch to Ruth Prins, the beloved figure behind KING-TV’s “Wunda Wunda” show. Volunteers have contributed these articles, with one piece by Monica Wooton spotlighting Fire Station No. 41 and featuring a profile of Bonnie Beers, Seattle’s first female firefighter.
The project’s online debut in October attracted more than 40 attendees, and it continues to seek new stories, writers, and editors. With its unlimited potential for updates and new contributions, the initiative is clearly full of energy.
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