Historic Charm in the Pike-Pine Corridor
Seattle’s Pike-Pine Corridor is a vibrant neighborhood filled with rich history and architectural character. Let's take a look at some of these classic buildings!
White Motor Company Building
One of its most iconic historic buildings, the White Motor Company Building, tells a fascinating story that reflects the area's evolution—from early 20th-century auto row to modern-day urban living.
A Cornerstone of Pike-Pine’s Auto Row
Located at 1021 E Pine St, at the southwest corner of East Pike Street and 11th Avenue, the White Motor Company Building was constructed in 1918 and originally served as a showroom and local office for the White Motor Company. Known for producing cars, trucks, buses, and tractors, the company had entered Seattle’s market just a few years earlier in 1914.
In the decades that followed, the building became a hub for automobile commerce, housing a series of distributors, including Rowland & Clark in 1928 and Colyear Motor Sales Company by 1938. This era established Pike-Pine as Seattle’s premier "Auto Row," a legacy still echoed in the district’s industrial architecture and wide sidewalks designed for car showrooms.
Shifting Gears: From Cars to Culture
By the late 1950s, as the automobile industry’s presence in Capitol Hill began to wane, the White Motor Company Building saw new types of tenants. In 1958, Craig Corporation moved in to produce recording equipment. The eastern portion was later home to Kar Craft Auto Upholstery, and Spray Craft Auto Painting followed soon after.
REI and the Rise of Outdoor Culture
The most transformative chapter in the building’s history came in 1966, when Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) purchased the property. Founded in 1938 near Pike Place Market, REI’s popularity soared after CEO Jim Whittaker became the first American to summit Mount Everest in 1963. The move to Pike-Pine marked REI’s growing influence and brought new energy to the neighborhood.
Preserving Pike-Pine’s Architectural Legacy
The White Motor Company Building is a three-story structure supported by Howe trusses, a detail that speaks to the strength and design of early 20th-century commercial construction. In 2015, it received official designation as a Seattle Landmark, helping preserve its legacy amid the neighborhood’s rapid transformation.
Preserving Pike-Pine’s Architectural Legacy
In 1984, the main floor became a bicycle shop. In the late 1990s, REI moved their flagship store to South Lake Union and Seattle's alternate newspaper The Stranger moved into the upper two floors.
Quick Facts about the White Motor Company Building
- Address: 1625 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122
- Year Built: 1918
- Seattle Landmark Designation: 2015
- Construction: Three-story building with Howe trusses for roof support
- Current Owner: Legacy Pine Street, LLC
- Last Purchase: $4.07M in 2006
Sources and further reading
- "Landmark-protected and waiting for its next life, ..." on the Captiol Hill Seattle Blog
- Pike/Pine Landmark Designation by Historic Seattle
- White Motor Company on Wikipedia
- PDF on the White Motor Company Bldg by the Landmarks Preservation Board
- REI on Wikipedia
- 2011 photo courtesy of City of Seattle
Broadway High School: A Historic Landmark in Seattle’s Pike-Pine Corridor
Located in the heart of Seattle’s vibrant Pike-Pine Corridor, the former Broadway High School stands as a powerful symbol of the city’s educational and architectural history. Originally designed by renowned architects William E. Boone and J. M. Corner, this iconic building opened its doors in 1902 as Seattle High School, the first dedicated high school in the city.
Architectural Vision and Early Years
Inspired by the grandeur of the Petit Palais in Paris, the school was constructed with ambition—built to serve more students than Seattle had at the time. But by 1904, enrollment had already outgrown the facility, prompting the creation of an annex. As Seattle’s public school system expanded, the institution was renamed Washington High School in 1906 and ultimately Broadway High School in 1908, reflecting its Capitol Hill location.
A Legacy of Student Innovation
Broadway High was a trailblazer in progressive education. It fostered student leadership through a student council and earned national recognition for its student publications, including the Whims newspaper and the Sealth yearbook. The school became known for its innovative approach to education and student governance, leaving a lasting impact on Seattle’s educational culture.
The Impact of World War II
However, the school’s population—and identity—shifted dramatically during World War II, when the forced internment of Japanese-American students reduced its enrollment by a quarter. As the Pike-Pine neighborhood evolved into a more commercial district, student numbers continued to decline. In 1946, the Seattle School District made the controversial decision to close Broadway High School. But just months later, the building found new life.
Transition to Broadway-Edison Technical School
Across the street, Edison Technical School—founded in 1921 to provide vocational training in fields like automotive repair, machine work, and printing—expanded into the former high school building. During the war, Edison had also served returning veterans with a rehabilitation program aimed at reintegrating soldiers into civilian life. After the merger, the campus was renamed Broadway-Edison Technical School, and the historic high school structure became known as the South Building.
Transformation into Seattle Central College
The site continued to evolve in the decades that followed. In 1966, it became home to Seattle Community College, and in 1970, it joined the state’s growing community college system as Seattle Central Community College. Today, it is known as Seattle Central College, offering associate and bachelor’s degrees, as well as continuing education and online programs.
Broadway High School: A Historical Landmark
Demolition took out much of the original building in the 1970s. Nevertheless, as one of the most historically significant buildings in the Pike-Pine Corridor, the former Broadway High School not only reflects Seattle’s educational progress but also tells the story of a neighborhood—and a city—in constant transformation.
Quick Facts about the Broadway High School Building
- Address: 1021 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122
- Year Built: 1902
- Architects: William E. Boone and J. M. Corner
Sources and further reading
- "Broadway" (High School) and "Edison" by Seattle Public Schools
- Seattle Public Schools, 1862-2023: Broadway High School by Nile Thompson, Carolyn J. Marr, Tom G. Heuser
- "Broadway High School Archives" (video)
- "Broadway High School (Seattle)," "Petit Palais" and "Seattle Central College" on Wikipedia
- The Petit Palais
- Seattle Central College
