Seattle's University Ave

Once called Columbus Avenue when first platted, then renamed 14th Avenue in 1891 after annexation, the Ancient Seattlites felt the street deserved a more distinguished identity. 

In 1919, the University Commercial Club held a naming contest. Arthur Quigley won with the name of “University Way,” and locals won with the nickname “The Ave.”

The Ave developed into a major transportation hub. Trolley cars ran up and down the street, leading to wellspring of commerce.

By the mid-twentieth century, The Ave was described as an “eight block long department store.” But a few decades later, that bustle was siphoned away by the development of University Village and Northgate Mall.

Today, The Ave has instead become an eight block long smorgasbord with cuisines from around the world and other small businesses, including the University District Farmers Market. Each Saturday morning, year round, dozens of vendors selling primarily fresh produce crop up on The Ave.

Chris Curtis, the founder of Seattle's farmers market movement, was inspired by the markets she observed in Los Angeles. She noted the positive impact they had on their respective communities, and wanted to bring it back to her home hood of Seattle.

In an interview UW Magazine, Curtis reflected, "They're such a great way to support local farmers, a place to go see your neighbors. To slow down a little bit."

The U District Farmers Market was such a hit, that operations expanded to other neighborhoods like Lake City, Capitol Hill, Phinney, Columbia City and many more.

The market exemplifies the U District's community, and that spirit shows up in other ways too. Each year in May, the community comes together and throws a large street fair on The Ave called the University District Street Fair.