William Grose

During the 1890s, Seattle's wealthiest black resident was William Grose (sometimes spelled "Gross"). The 6-foot-4, 400-pound Grose arrived in Seattle sometime around 1860. He worked as a cook for several years until 1876, when he opened his "Our House" restaurant near First and Yesler.

In 1883, he opened a hotel on Yesler's Wharf, the waterfront at Yesler Way, and advertised it as "the best and cheapest hotel in the city for the workingmen." The hotel burned in the fire of 1889.

— Jesse Tarbert