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Kent, WA Area Guide

Kent is a magnificent city located in King County, Washington. Kent was home to 88,380 people as of the 2009 census, thus making it the second largest city in south King County and the ninth largest in the state. Being home to such companies as REI and Oberto Sausage, Kent has become the third largest industrial area in the United States. Often considered a suburb of Seattle, Kent is surrounded by the nearby towns of Renton, Tukwila, Covington, Federal Way, Des Moines, SeaTac, and Auburn. To discover more about the wonder that is Kent, please visit their official website at: http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/.

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History

Discover the following information and more about Kent’s rich history by clicking here.

The Kent area was first permanently settled by westerners in the early 1860s, and originally called Titusville (There is still a 'Titusville Station' sign on Gowe St).

During the 1880s the town discovered hops production as the major source of income. Due to an aphid invasion which affected hops crops in Europe, hops from the Puget Sound area were commanding high prices. Hops were shipped from Titusville either by the river or via rail. Eventually the town was even re-named for Kent County in England. Hops production in the valley would come to an end due to an invasion of aphids.

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

After the turn of the 20th century the area turned to dairy farming, and was home to a Carnation Condensed Milk plant. Flooding from both the Green and the White Rivers was a constant problem. In 1906, flooding changed the course of the White River, which reduced the flood hazard by half. The Green River continued to present problems until the creation of the Howard A. Hanson Dam at Eagle Gorge in 1962.

During and after the Great Depression, Kent was known as the "Lettuce Capital of the World." After WWII, Kent began to grow more rapidly. From 1953 to 1960 the city's size grew twelve-fold. In 1965 Boeing began building in Kent, followed a few years later by other aerospace and high-tech companies.

In 2009, Kent got its first sports team, with the addition of WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds moving into the city-owned ShoWare Center.

Parks & Recreation

Kent’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department offers a wide variety of both indoor and outdoor activities, classes, and facilities for all ages. These are managed through Kent’s Administration, Recreation & Cultural Services, Parks Planning & Open Space, Golf Maintenance, Facilities Management and Housing & Human Services divisions. Covered picnic shelters are available for reservation at 8 park locations with scenic trails for walking, jogging, and cycling are abundant throughout Kent. The Riverbend Golf Complex and Learning Center is set apart from other courses in Western Washington. Riverbend provides various recreational activities for both the golfer and non-golfer, and a variety of programs for every skill level and age group. For more information, please visit: http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/parksandrecreation/index.aspx.

Events and Attractions

Attractions

Kent is home to numerous attractions and events, perfect for the family, and all available throughout the year. With Pacific Raceways offering a racing course for drag racing, road racing, and shifter karts and Kent Historical Museum housed in one of Kent’s oldest and finest homes from 1908, Kent offers something for everyone. If history and drag racing aren’t really your style, Kent offers Art Galleries featuring 16 artists offering everything from folk, big band swing and blues music to juggling, belly dancing, acrobatics and more! Kent is also home to the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum, which works diligently to honor, celebrate, and preserve the legacy of Unlimited Hydroplane Racing. For a bit more flavor in your visit to Kent, come see Smith Brothers Farms: a dairy farm that has been open since 1920 and delivers fresh and natural cream, butter, yogurt, milk and eggs direct from Web to home via staffed milkmen.

Annual Events

Kent’s events are unmatched in their winter festivals and light shows all the way to their spring festivities. There is no place more family friendly that offers the number of events that Kent does. With something for all ages and all interests, please join us in celebrating life in Kent. To see all the events that Kent has to offer, please click here.