I went to college in Seattle in the ‘70s; it was going nutcase even then but today they’ve pretty much taken the weirdest city title away from San Francisco. Of course, they have renamed the obligitory street for M.L. King. King County, which was named for V.P. Wm. Rufus DeVane King has also been re-named for the sainted Martin. I’m surprised that S. Jackson St. hasn’t had a “Jesse” tacked on to it.
And now Columbus.
I rarely go there anymore except to see a Sounders match.
I've lived here for 10 years, and I've asked a number of life long residents what King County was named before it was changed to King County.
Each of them looked confused and said, “It's always been King County.”
I even Googled it several times trying to find the “original” name - but, no luck.
I just read the Wikipedia entry on Vice President William King.
He died in office, in 1853, when Washington state was still part of the Oregon Territory.
“King” County was named in his honor, and it was the part of the Oregon Territory that today includes Seattle.
Vice President William King's family actually owned 500 slaves on their large cotton plantation in Alabama!
The state AND the county were named after slave owners.
But, times change, and Seattle Leftists may have to soften their hearts against William King and restore his namesake County to its rightful owner.
Why?
A number of historians believe that William King was gay and had a 20 year relationship with President James Buchanan.
Somebody tell our gay Mayor, Ed Murray!