Archives West Finding Aid

Seattle's public health agency was established in 1900 as the Department of Sanitation. In 1951 the department merged with the King County Department of Health. Prior to 1981, the City of Seattle administered the department with the two jurisdictions providing funding in proportion to their populations. Reorganization in 1981 placed administrative control in the hands of the County while the City retained direct policy and funding control over the Seattle Services Division. Departmental records are managed by King County. The Board of Health was created by the 1890 City Charter with authority to supervise the health and sanitation of the City; it was abolished in 1908.