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- In the early 20th century, the rise in automobile ownership and World War II both played huge roles in the development of downtown Renton. By 1928, the Sunset Highway to Spokane was completed and ran right through the middle of downtown via S 3rd Street.
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May 21, 2024 · Renton, Washington, nestled at the southeast shore of Lake Washington, boasts a vibrant history that mirrors the evolution of the Pacific Northwest. From coal mining town to an aerospace hub, Renton has transformed significantly since its incorporation in 1901.
The “Sunset Highway” to Spokane had just been completed and ran through downtown Renton. Numerous auto camps, the forerunners of motels, sprang up along this new highway at the outskirts of town. Wooden sidewalks were quickly replaced by concrete.
The city’s first high school students graduated from Central School in 1904. Renton also established a municipal water supply, a volunteer fire department, and a sewer system. By the end of this decade the Seattle/Tacoma Interurban Railroad and the Milwaukee Railroad crisscrossed the town.
By the turn of the 20th century, Renton had evolved into a thriving industrial hub, with coal mining, timber, and manufacturing driving its economy. The construction of railroads further facilitated the transportation of goods, connecting Renton to markets across the region.
- 15771 120th Ave SE, Renton, 98058, WA
- (206) 470-9854
In the mid-1990s, Renton undertook a major redevelopment effort to revitalize its downtown core, which had declined in commercial prominence since the opening of the Southcenter Mall in Tukwila in 1968.
They developed a plant on the south bank of the Cedar River that was briefly the largest producer of paving brick in the world. In addition, the Renton plant specialized in fire brick, terra-cotta, and decorative terra-cotta.
