Built in 1903 by the Seattle Brewing and Malting Company, the brewery was at one time the sixth largest beer-producer in the world. The brewery formed the company town of Georgetown in 1904 with the plant manager as the citys mayor as a wet outpost where alcoholic beverages were allowed. At that time, Seattle was growing quickly through annexations, which threatened the brewer by restricting the sale of liquor through efforts of the local chapter of the Anti-Saloon League of America.
Even though Georgetown was short-lived, with local voters approving annexation to Seattle in 1910, the brewery continued to produce Rainier Beer until the end of 1915, when the state adopted Prohibition. After the repeal of the Volstead Act in 1933, the family of Emil Sick purchased the plant, but decided to remodel and rebuild its sister brewery at Spokane Street to reintroduce Rainier Beer. Rainier Ice and Cold Storage subsequently used the Georgetown property for fruit and vegetable processing, cold storage, and ice-making operations. Alternative uses in light manufacturing and artist lofts sprang up over time. The Stock House experienced a massive fire in 1988, which destroyed half of the building.
In 1993, the buildings were declared Seattle Historic Landmarks due to their character and place in state history propelling Prohibition several years before the adoption of the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1919.
View additional information about Georgetown and the history of Rainier Ice and Cold Storage
HistoryLink.org: Rainier Brewery Now & Then from Paul Dorpat
HistoryLink.org: Rainier Beer A Snapshot History
HistoryLink.org: Georgetown A Snapshot History
HistoryLink.org: Turning Point 15: Seattle's Other Birthplace: From Hop Field to Boeing Field
Brewerygems.com: The History of Rainier Beer
Answers.com: History of Rainier Brewing Company
VintageSeattle.org: Profile: Rainier Cold Storage Buildings Pt. 1
VintageSeattle.org: Profile: Rainier Cold Storage Buildings Pt. 2
Georgetown Community Blog (on Yahoo! Groups)
The Wall of Georgetown (and this kind of similar thing next to it)