SEATTLE is the county seat and great metropolis of King county and
the state, with a population crowding, if not exceeding, 275,000
people. It covers the hills and lowlands surrounding Elliot bay, an
indentation of Puget sound, and a part of the land between the sound
and Lake Washington, a freshwater lake of great beauty paralleling
the sound for 23 miles and from one to three miles wide. It also
includes two smaller lakes, whose sloping shores are covered with
the homes of its citizens. From its hills the snow-capped mountains
of the Cascade and Olympic ranges and Mount Rainier's towering
peak are visions of surpassing beauty. A constant stream of coming
and going water craft from all quarters of the globe frequent its
harbor. Its business buildings of brick, stone, iron and concrete
tower heavenward over four avenues, and many cross streets and
miles of its low lands are
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covered with railroad tracks, warehouses and manufacturing plants.
Its grammar schools, high schools, and State University are equipped
with magnificent buildings and grounds. Its streets and homes are
brilliantly lighted with electricity from its own power plants,
while the purest water, sufficient for a million people, flows
through its water mains, all owned and controlled by the city.
A multitude of factories are providing a small part of the merchandise
and composes the groundwork of her commerce.
The shores of Elliot bay are lined with wharves accommodating the
largest sea-going ships. Its last assessed valuation of property
was $203,168,680, and its tax to be raised $975,210.
More than 150 miles of street-car tracks are within her borders
and a nickel pays for a 15-mile ride.
GEORGETOWN, in the southern part of Seattle, but not a part of
it as yet, has a population of about 5,000, and is an important
manufacturing center. Here are the car shops of Seattle Electric
Company, gas works, foundries, breweries, machine shops, brick
and tile works and many other industries.
RENTON, ISSAQUAH, RAVENSDALE, BLACK DIAMOND, and NEW CASTLE are
coal mining towns.
KENT, AUBURN, KIRKLAND, VASHON, NORTH BEND, TOLT, FALL CITY, and
MAPLE VALLEY are agricultural towns of importance.