Ernestine Anderson was a legendary American jazz and blues singer who grew up in Seattle’s Central District and graduated from Garfield High School. Ms. Anderson’s prolific singing career spanned more than five decades and included more than 30 albums. She was a four-time Grammy nominee and performed at Carnegie Hall and around the world. In short, her creative talents and musical accomplishments helped shape the Seattle music scene.
That’s why, at the request of the Historic Central Area Arts & Cultural District and the Mayor’s office, SDOT has installed honorary street name signs for Ernestine Anderson along S Jackson St between 20th Ave South and 23rd Ave South.
The honorary signs were installed adjacent to Ernestine Anderson Place, which provides housing and serves homeless and low-income seniors, and was built in 2012. Ms. Anderson’s family, including her daughter, attended the sign ceremony.
Ms. Anderson’s family (from left to right): Falana, granddaughter, Sophia, granddaughter, and Shelley, daughter.
With these new honorary signs, Ernestine Anderson’s legacy can continue to inspire new generations of musicians in Seattle and around the world.
Honorary signs do not change the legal street name or addresses. They differ from regular street signs in color – they are brown. In Seattle, brown street name signs are used for honorary street name signs, Parks Department roads, and Olmsted boulevards.
For more information about street name signs please visit www.seattle.gov/transportation/new_streetsigns.htm.