If you live just south of Ravenna Park in Seattle you might think you live in Ravenna. After all, a mile away at
NE 70th St and 32 Ave NE is still in the
city's definition of Ravenna. But no, a block south of the park and you're in the
University District. Sure, there are a couple of municipal signs that say "University Park," and there's even the
University Park Community Club. But aside from real estate agents (the people that call 23rd and Jackson part of Capitol Hill) no one really calls it that.
A little over hundred years ago it must have been covered with Douglas-firs, bigleaf maples, red alders, and vine maples. Back in 1906 there was hardly a tree to be seen:
Today Ravenna Boulevard and 17th Ave NE, the two boulevards in this little corner of the city, are lined with chestnut trees.
Aesculus hippocastanum, the
Common Horse-chestnut predominates, but there are other chestnuts species too.
In addition to being slightly arch, the name Chestnut District has the virtue of accuracy, unlike Magnolia (which was meant to be named for its Madrones) and Maple Leaf (which could have been anywhere in Seattle).
