Old Tacoma, Tacoma, Washington facts for kids

Old Tacoma is a neighborhood in the northern part of Tacoma, Washington. Many people know it better as Old Town.

History of Old Town

Old Town got its name because it was the very first settlement in the area that later became the city of Tacoma. In 1865, a man named Job Carr built a small cabin near the shore. He hoped that building the Transcontinental Railroad nearby would make his land valuable.

Today, you can find a special marker at the bottom of Carr Street where his original cabin stood. There's also a place called the Job Carr Cabin Museum, which is a copy of his first home. It's located in Old Town Park. In its early days, Old Town grew thanks to fishing and lumber mills.

What's in Old Town Today?

Old Town was once a separate community from what we now call downtown Tacoma. Downtown Tacoma was even called "New Tacoma" for a while, before the two areas joined together to form one city.

Today, Old Town is a lively area with a historic park, many restaurants, and unique shops. It's also home to two buildings that are listed on the National Historic Registry:

• St. Peter's Church: This was the first church ever built in Tacoma and is now the city's oldest existing building.
• Slavonian Hall: Another important historic building in the area.

Sometimes, people might call this area Ruston Way. However, the popular Ruston Way waterside walk actually stretches much further than just the Old Tacoma neighborhood.