Spotlight on North Capitol Hill
Where is North Capitol Hill
North Capitol Hill is a beautiful mainly residential neighborhood in Seattle located north of Roy Street and south of the Interlaken Park and 520 bridge. As the city of Seattle grew from its early years, the wealthy started moving up the hill from downtown and building large mansions in the area around 1900. Many of these large homes still sit on tree-lined streets in North Capitol Hill. The neighborhood is pocketed between Montlake, Roanoke Park, Portage Bay, Eastlake, and Capitol Hill.
Although divided by I-5 currently, future plans are in place to reconnect the Roanoke Park and North Capitol Hill through a new freeway lid. One of the major perks of living here is the accessibility of the neighborhood to surrounding areas. It’s close proximity to I-5 and 520 offer a quick commute to almost anywhere. Downtown Seattle, South Lake Union, and First Hill are all within a few miles. Additionally, there are many bus routes throughout the area, as well as light rail access nearby.
Things to do in North Capitol Hill
One quirk of North Capitol Hill is that it is full of staircases connecting to upper and lower areas and neighborhoods. Included is the tallest staircase in Seattle, Howe Street Stairs. There are several commercial pockets in and near the neighborhood. Volunteer Park Cafe is a small, homey restaurant near the stately Volunteer Park. On 19th Ave there is a pocket of restaurants and shops. In addition, a small commercial district lies along 10th Ave East, just south of Roanoke Park, that contains a strip of shops. Grab a coffee and croissant at local spot Copper Tree Coffee House, or go for some delicious pizza from Seattle’s own Pagliacci. Likewise, check out on of the oldest bars in the city, The Roanoke.(not to be confused with the classic Roanoke Inn on Mercer Island) The Roanoke’s building has been operating as a tavern for over 100 years! Join locals in grabbing a cold one while eating tasty nachos, soups, salads, and Seattle’s best burger.
Scenic Spots
North Capitol Hill is brimming with tucked away scenic outdoor spots, such as Interlaken Park. This place is a densely forested area with many trails and paths for hiking or biking. Part of the city park plans designed by architects the Olmsted brothers, who also designed Central Park in NYC, this park offers city dwellers a natural escape. Streissguth Gardens is another picturesque destination located here. An urban oasis, the tranquil gardens garner breathtaking views of South Lake Union, downtown Seattle, and the Olympic Mountains. And already mentioned, Volunteer Park is one of Seattle’s most iconic parks.
A Sense of History
On top of the hill lies Lake View Cemetery, which is home to the final resting place of many Seattle city founders. Visit and you will see names such as Yesler, Denny, and Dearborne on the tombstones. Also, Bruce Lee and his son Brandon are buried here. Similarly, there is another cemetery that lies behind Lake View amidst a cluster of homes. The Civil War burial site, Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery, contains soldiers that have been laid to rest there.
Christian Roots in North Capitol Hill
It is important to note the strong Catholic presence that can be felt in this neighborhood. One of the reasons North Capitol Hill offers such grand homes is due to the large size of most Catholic families who inhabited the neighborhood for many generations. Furthermore, some of Seattle’s larger Catholic schools are in the neighborhood. St. Joseph is a large K-8 school in the neighborhood. In addition, Holy Names, an all-girl, Catholic High School just a few blocks from St. Joes. Finally, Seattle Prep, a Jesuit college preparatory school, is located in North Capitol Hill and established since 1891. For a bit of background on North Capitol Hill’s Catholic roots check out this article by the Seattle Times!
Furthermore, The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia is located in the area and traces its origins back to the establishment of the Missionary Jurisdiction of the Oregon and Washington Territories in 1853. In the past, the eastside of North Capitol Hill was Catholic and the westside of North Capitol Hill was Protestant, but those differences have dissipated as the years have gone by.
Get More Info on North Capitol Hill's Market
Carl Gould designed this home in North Capitol Hill. This 6 bed / 4.75 bath stately and elegant home includes a grand entry with accompanying stairwell, 5 fireplaces, library with wet bar, and sensational views. At the time of this blog, the home was available for purchase. Click picture for more details.
For more information on North Capitol Hill or Seattle home markets, feel free to contact us. Furthermore, you can find additional information on the greater Capitol Hill area here. There are many Seattle real estate companies, but Ewing and Clark has been providing Seattle real estate service since 1900. We represent both buyers and sellers throughout the Greater Seattle area. We are here to share our expertise with you.
