There is some mystery surrounding how White Center was selected as the name of our community. One account in the White Center News was from William T. “Pop” Brown, owner of the Southgate Rollerdome. He claims to have been told that in May 1914, Hiram
Green and George White stood “under the arc light at 16th and Roxbury” discussing a name for the growing community. According to Mr. Brown, White suggested “Greenville” and Green proposed “White Center”, each attempting to honor the other. After a good-natured discussion, White agreed to the honor. By the 1960’s the modified story became a legend.
The News reported that the naming occurred in 1918, when the two men decided to toss a coin. The coin was tossed, George White won, and thus was born White Center. |
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