Kent Washington History & Facts

Kent is a city in King County, Washington, United States. It is part of the Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue metropolitan area and had a population of 136,588 as of the 2020 census, making it the fourth-largest municipality in greater Seattle and the sixth-largest in Washington state. The city is connected to Seattle, Bellevue and Tacoma via State Route 167 and Interstate 5, Sounder commuter rail, and commuter buses.

Incorporated in 1890, Kent is the second-oldest incorporated city in King County, after Seattle. It is generally divided into three areas: West Hill (mixed residential and commercial along Interstate 5), Valley (primarily industrial and commercial with some medium density residential; significant parkland along Green River), and East Hill (primarily residential with retail).

The Kent area was first permanently settled by European Americans in the 1850s along the banks of what was then the White River. The first settler was Samuel Russell, who sailed the White and Duwamish rivers until he claimed a plot of land southeast of modern-day downtown Kent in the spring of 1853. Russell was followed by several other settlers who quickly staked claims around the area. The settlements were originally known as "White River" and later the town was called "Titusville" after an early settler by the name of James Henry Titus. (There is still a "Titusville Station" sign on Gowe Street near First Avenue). In 1861 a post office was established under the name White River and was located at the farm of David and Irena Neely who settled in modern-day Kent in 1854. In 1855 their farm was attacked by Native Americans when David Neely served as a lieutenant in the Territorial Army. Another settler was Henry L. Yesler, who was the first sawmill operator in Seattle. By 1870 the population was 277 and all of the quality bottom-land had been claimed.

Throughout the 1860s and 70's, grain and forage crops such as wheat, barley, oats, hay, and timothy accounted for much of the annual return of farmers in the valley. During the late 1870s the town discovered hops production as a major source of income. Due to an aphid invasion which affected hops crops in Europe, hops from the Puget Sound area began to command high prices. Hops were shipped from Titusville either by the river or via rail. In 1889 the town was renamed for the County of Kent, the major hops-producing region in England. Ezra Meeker was asked by the Northern Pacific Railroad to name its station. Meeker suggested that it be known as Kent as it was "Hop Capitol of the West". Hops production in the White River valley came to an end soon after its own invasion of aphids in 1891.

Kent was officially incorporated on May 28, 1890, with a population of 793, the second city incorporated in King County. Seattle was the first.

Famous Peoples From Kent Washington

Ely Allen

Ely Allen (born June 12, 1986 in Anchorage, Alaska) is an American soccer player. Allen grew up in Kent, Washington, attended Kentridge High School. He played youth soccer for Emerald City Football Club in Seattle, Washington. Allen played college soccer at the University of Washington from 2004 to 2007. Allen was the 21st overall pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, selected by the Los Angeles Galaxy. During Galaxy's pre-season, in only his second professional appearance, Allen scored a goal (assisted by David Beckham) against Sydney FC in the Pan-Pacific Championship on February 23, 2008.

Allen made his MLS debut in the Galaxy's first match of the 2008 season against the Colorado Rapids on March 29, 2008. He scored his first MLS goal on June 7, 2008, also against the Colorado Rapids. On February 25, 2009, Allen was waived by the Galaxy due to frequent injury.

Following an unsuccessful trial with MLS expansion side Seattle Sounders FC due to illness, and having been unable to secure a professional contract elsewhere, Allen joined the Seattle Wolves of the USL Premier Development League on May 6, 2009. He went on to score 6 goals and contribute 6 assists in the 16 games he played for them.

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