Washington State’s Black History: Russell and Lillian Gideon
All month, we’ll be partnering with The Black Heritage Society of Washington State to bring you artifacts, photos and stories from our community’s history.
Russell S. Gideon (1904-1985) and Lillian Morris Gideon (1907-2006) were husband and wife, business owners, civic advocates, philanthropists, and principled pillars of the Central District community. They came to Seattle in 1946 and quickly found their way. The Gideon’s bought a drug store at 22nd Avenue and E Madison Street and operated it until 1963. Gideon’s Drug Store met pharmaceutical needs and had a very popular soda fountain.
Fezzes were personal Masonic headwear of husband and wife, Russell and Lillian Gideon of Seattle, WA. and are among a collection of items and photographs at the BHS archive that documents their lives in Seattle. Russel Gideon’s 33-degree emblem hat signifies his status as having received the highest rank in Freemasonry. It is an honorary title that is bestowed upon a Mason who has shown exceptional dedication and service to the order.
Together and separately, the Gideon’s were powerhouses and sat on numerous boards and advisories. Russell was a pioneer in senior housing, he built the Elizabeth James House, named for his mother, at 23rd Avenue E and E Madison Street. He served as president of the East Madison-East Union Commercial Club, and he organized the Central Area's Seafair Mardi Gras festivities. Lillian, served in the American Red Cross during both World Wars and worked as a social worker at the VA Hospital in Seattle while supporting the drug store business. She was a co-founder of the Central Area Motivation Program (CAMP) and was the ultimate volunteer.
Russell was recognized yearly by Ebony magazine as one of the nation’s 100 most influential Black citizens beginning in 1977 until his death in 1985. Lillian remained civically engaged and highly respected for giving her all until her death in 2006.
