‘80s Everett: A Brief History of Everett Neighborhoods
In 1988 Barb Lamoureux started selling real estate. Thirty-plus years later we’re celebrating Barb's legacy in Everett by visiting some of the neighborhoods that lend a unique character to this beautiful city.
Everett’s bigger than you would guess. From the Northwest Neighborhood at the top of the peninsula to Boulevard Bluffs near Mukilteo, to the far southeast corner of charming Silver Lake, this city often surprises cross-town travelers with its size and diversity of architecture.
Everett Neighborhood Map by Elizabeth Person Art & Design.
Lowell and Port Gardner are the two oldest neighborhoods in Everett. Their location near bodies of water is telling.
Lowell was its own unincorporated micro-city before being annexed to Everett in the 1970s. Located on the banks of the Snohomish River, Lowell was known for its mills. Lumber processed here could be floated or hauled by tug down the Snohomish River and out to sea.
Port Gardner was the site of the first white homesteaders in Everett. These early settlers left their names on the city: Rucker, Hoyt, and Colby. They chose the far west end of the peninsula for its proximity to the deepwater harbor, as well as the panoramic views from the top of what would come to be known as Rucker Hill.
Idealistic historians posit that Bayside was a practical application of democracy in the context of homeownership. As the peninsula was clearcut and divvied into small lots, mill workers were able to buy a small plot of land and build a modest craftsman bungalow next to the finer, bigger homes of mill owners.
Part of Riverside’s old redbrick downtown can still be seen on either side of Interstate 5, as in the historic Swalwell Building. Large sections of the residential neighborhood were destroyed in the 1960s when I-5 came through town.
Photo of Swalwell Building in Riverside // Courtesy of Snohomish County.
The 1970s saw the city expand south as the Everett Mall was built. This southward annexation brought some new neighborhoods into the fold: notably Glacier View.
Glacier Peak is notable today for its Midcentury architecture in the form of split-level brick ramblers. This neighborhood has long been mostly residential, with some restaurants on the outskirts (Totem Diner, Ivar’s), but is about to undergo a dramatic change as the new YMCA building is going to be completed here in late 2019.
Nearby South Forest Park, named for the city park that it surrounds, is also a standout for Midcentury architecture. Forest Park has been with the city since WPA crews built it into the hillside in the 1930s as part of a work relief program during the Great Depression.
When taking an aerial overview of the city, one thing’s certain: Everett is full of great places to live, no matter where you land.
Everett continues to change. But some things remain the same, like Lamoureux Real Estates dedication to serving the Everett community’s real estate needs. Don’t hesitate to contact us anytime!
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