Celebrating Renton's 125th Birthday
Celebrate Renton's 125th Birthday!
Renton’s 125th birthday is more than a milestone, it’s a celebration of a community shaped by generations of Renton residents whose stories built this city.
Founded on September 6, 1901, Renton grew from Duwamish homelands at the meeting of the Black and Cedar rivers into a bustling hub for coal miners, loggers, and later workers at PACCAR and Boeing.
Each wave of newcomers and life-long residents have contributed to the city’s laws, neighborhoods, businesses, culture, and community. and cultural life.
As we mark 125 years, we want to honor the people who have shaped the Renton that we know and love today!
Here is how we are celebrating!
- Highlighting our history: Throughout the year of our birthday, follow the city's social meeting channels for historical memories throughout the years. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, X, and Nextdoor.
- Tell us what YOU love about Renton: We're inviting you to help celebrate Renton's 125th anniversary. Stop by our video booth at specific events throughout the summer and tell us what you love about Renton or let us know what Renton means to you.
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Celebrating Renton’s 125th Birthday with Renton School District
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The City of Renton proudly celebrates its 125th Birthday, marking more than a century of community, growth, and shared history.
As part of this milestone, the Renton Historical Society invited students across the Renton School District to share what Renton means to them. Students across the District demonstrated creativity, pride, and a strong sense of community through their submissions, helping to document and celebrate the spirit of Renton during this historic anniversary year.
Before the June 1 Council meeting, elected officials, students and their families, and members of the Renton Historical Society gathered for a reception to recognize 25 contest winners (from 325 participants). The students were able to hear words of encouragement from former Lindbergh High School student, Jacki (Watson) Delfin, who inspired this contest from her experience of being honored by the City Council for the essay she wrote in third grade to celebrate Renton's 100th birthday.
“Many years ago during the Renton Centennial, I participated in an essay contest about Renton’s history and was recognized at a City Council meeting. That was my very first City Council meeting. So today is a very full circle moment for me. That was the first time I felt like my voice and my ideas mattered, and it helped me feel connected to my community,” said Delfin. She concluded, “today I have the privilege of working for the City of Renton, and it’s inspiring to see young people engaging with the city they call home. The ideas and stories you shared will remind us all of what makes Renton special.”
These 25 students’ submissions demonstrated exceptional creativity, reflection, pride, and a deep appreciation for the city they call home.
- Chrisiya Thornton Jamerson
- Benjamin Longanecker
- Asma Shairzai
- Madeline Kopchick
- Marcelo Garcia
- Nova Williams
- Relena Lam
- Arundhati Krishna
- Caleb Lin
- Amiyah Jolene Talmadge
- Kateriin Jarama Mercado
- Sollilja Haraldsdottir
- Harper Duong
- Grier Hagan
- Vyolet Melin-Knox
- Mae Parga
- Audrey Magee
- Anton Bergquist
- Brianna Bautista
- Eryn Hadley
- Kiera Jones
- Grace Skougland
- William Thai
- Yohaly Barragan-Mazon
- Nina Bui
Renton City Council extends its gratitude to all participating students, educators, and schools for their contributions to this celebration of Renton’s past, present, and future.
Who's Listening
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Communications & Engagement Division
