The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-05-31
MOTOR LINE COMPLETED.

THE JAMES STREET 70 RUS CARS TO SOUTHERN
CITY LIMITS ToDAY-BEAeoS HILL AND IT'S
EyESTFUL HISTORY.
The announcement in our railroad column of
the opening by the Union Trunk Line of its line
to southern city limits via Fourteenth street and
Beacon hill, or what has always heretofore been
known as Reservoir hill, is the elimination OF
long and continuous struggle by the various
city to bring It into prominence as a fashion
able residence portion of Seattle. There is
hardly any part OF Seattle, unless il be the Yes
Ter mill property, that has more eventful his
tory than the old Reservoir hill AS far back as
1875, Mr.. ". V. B. Stacy thought that he saw in
that partculaf part OF the city the best location
for the better class OF residences OF Seattle, ow
ing 70 its prominent location. great height and
the commanding view il afforded of Elliott cav
the sound and Lake Washington, and after
purchasing the greater portion OF the entire
hilltop, which at that time was one dense tim
beIed forest, he spent fortune in clearing il
in the best possible manner, removing every
stick OF timber, stunaps aud roots and leveling il
so as 70 make one continuous level surface, fenc-
ing large number of choice residence sites
some OF which are in well preserved condi-
ton today. These Improvements at that time
attracted the attention OF Messrs Cyrus Walker,
OF Port Ludlow, John Leary, Judge Burke. W.
III. Talbot, Henry l. Iesler, 0. J. Carr, Fred
Z. Sander, E. A. Turner. now mayor of Fair
haven, and Others. The majority OF these gen
tleInen still own and control the greater part of
the hill, having continually held on, always
hopeful of seeing their antieipations, viz: the
making of this hill 70 seattle what Beacon hill
is 10 Boston, realized. But when Seattle en-
ioyed its first great growth. and with il came
northern part of the city on account of the
streets being more level in that direction,
the settling up of the city naturally followed
the car lines In lSSo when the YesIer avenue
line was about 20 be built q strong effort was
made 10 have that company build TO
the hill instead OF Lake Washington, but
entirely cut of from any communication on &C
count OF & deep gulch between ii and where the
South school now is, that road was built TO Lake
Washington. In 1850 Mr.. ". {. Hill arrived In
il MS home. He selected and purchased block
on BEACON Hill as the location for his residence,
which BLOCK Ars Hill stiil owns. intending to
carry out Mr.. Hills original idea OF locating on
That identical spot. In Mr. Hill this location
found new and ardent supporter. commencing
where Mr.. Stacy had LEFT Oft Improving and
clearing of brush and wild growth that had SC
cumulated since Mr.. Staey's time, he also sue
ceeded, with the cooperation of others inter
ested, 10 have Fourteenth street graded. which
opened the fret opportunity for running
line on the hill, which was AZ once taken hold
OF BY the Union Trunk Line, which cornpany
viii run its first cars to the top OF that hill
today. Those who most recently have &C
quired large holdings or Beacon Hill
are Hiss N II. Young, Dearborn Bros
F. E. Sander and E. F. Whittier. The latter two
gentlemen are the originzsors OF Beacon park.
which is q large piece of ground on Fourteenth
and Lane, on which q little army OF men have
been employed for nearly year grading sod
ding ana planting. and il Is intended when In
iShed that II shall con tain every kind and variety
OF plant. tree and flower that Will grow IN the
state OF Washington. glass conservatory has
been erected 90 store such plants and flowers that
viii not live outdoors IN the winter. 1t is the
intention of the gentlemen interested 10 build
number OF fine residences this summer, six Of
which are already in various stages OF compile
ton and costing from $500 to 5000 One es-
pecialy interesting feature was noted by our re-
porter, IL IS the residence being erected on the
hill by DR.. John ]. S1urgis. who Is building
resiGenre entirely OF brick the front of which is
pressed brick of Seattle manufacture. which
compares taycrably with that which comes from
81 Louis