Phalen Hall

This building has a long history, being one of the oldest structures in historic Rainier Valley. Constructed in 1892 for the local order of the Knights of Pythias, a fraternal order which focuses on charity and community aid. The building was originally called the Knights of Pythias Hall and had 2 floors with a beautiful facade. Later in 1901 the building was bought by William W. Phalen, a baseball player turned entrepreneur from the East Coast of the U.S. In that year he founded the Reliance General Store in this building, and it was the largest grocer in the area. Soon after renamed the "W.W. Phalen, Your Grocer" and the building itself was quickly known as "Phalen Hall". Phalen himself was deeply engaged with the community of Rainier Valley, organizing events, founding a baseball team, creating a volunteer fire department, and being elected mayor twice.

Unfortunately this building wouldnt stay the same from it's origonal form for too long. In 1930 the false front was replaced with brick and in 1941 the second story of the building was burnt down. Many stores and shops have occupied the space, and while not in the exact same form as it was in 1892, it remains an important historical site in Rainier Valley.