International District
International District

Formerly known as Chinatown, the International District lies just south of the Downtown business district and is a rich cultural center with a vibrant atmosphere.

Since the 1880s, Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino immigrants have called this area their home. At several points throughout history, the community faced challenges caused by racial prejudices and encroaching settlement. For example, after the bombings in Pearl Harbor in 1942, the entire Japanese American population was removed to internment camps, and in the 1960s, the construction of I-5 literally cut the neighborhood in half.

Luckily, many leaders stepped forward to protect and preserve the neighborhood’s people and culture. Wing Luke was the first Asian American to be elected into the King County Council in 1962, and the Seattle Chinatown-International District Public Development Authority was formed in 1975 to improve housing and services in the area. Today, the neighborhood remains a hub for the Asian American population.

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