Washington University

History

The city of Seattle in Washington state was one of the first settlements in the mid to late 19th Century in the newly established Washington Territory created. 1854 recommended Territorial Governor Isaac Stevens , the establishment of a university in Washington. Some prominent residents of Seattle, under the leadership of Methodist preacher Daniel Bagley saw this idea in a way, the prestige increase of Seattle. They were Arthur A. Denny convince, co-founder and member of the Washington Territory Government of this idea.

They created a law that two universities, one in Seattle and one in Lewis County envisaged. However, this was changed shortly afterwards to the effect that only in Lewis County should develop a university provided that would be donated to local country.
However, as no property was found, suggested Denny at 1858, move the university to Seattle. 1861 began with a search for a suitable piece (40,000 m²) of land, as the campus should serve for the university. Denny donated along with the co-pioneers Edward Lander and Charlie Terry a piece of land at Denny’s Knoll, an area that now forms the heart of Seattle. The area was between the 4th and 6th Avenue today, which limit the area in the west and east, and between Union and Seneca Street to the north and south.
On 4 November 1861, the University officially opened its doors. Initially, the university struggled with some problems and had to close three times: 1863 for lack of students, 1867 and 1876 due to lack of funds. Washington in 1889 as the Union joined, Seattle and the University, however, were significantly increased. Enrolled about 30 students were at the beginning, there were now over 300 The growing number of students required a new campus. It was therefore a committee set up under the direction of Edmond Meany – should find a place for a new campus – himself a graduate of the University. The committee chose a place in the Union Bay northeast of the city center.
In 1895 the University was relocated to the new site. The new building was named Denny Hall. In 1899 on the campus of the predecessor of today’s Burke Museum set up. The attempt to sell the old campus, failed. The area is one of the old campus of the University and is still Metropolitan Tract called. It is located in the heart of the city, and, as one of the most valuable real estate areas of Seattle each year a few million dollars profit.