Originally named after a territorial governor but changed to MLK a decade or so ago.
Washington state pays the MLK family $20,000 a month to use his likeness. Previously there was just a crown standing for King at no cost to the taxpayers.
Well, actually, William Rufus DeVane King (April 7, 1786 – April 18, 1853) was an American politician and diplomat. He was the 13th vice president of the United States from March 4 until his death in April 1853. Earlier he had served as a U.S. representative from North Carolina and a senator from Alabama. He also served as minister to France under President James K. Polk. His family owned over 50 slaves, and he was a proponent of slavery.
When Washington became a state in 1852, the organizers decided it might be a good idea to curry favor with the new Vice President. Unfortunately, this turned out to be a not-so-good investment, as King died of tuberculosis 45 days into his term. Oops.
As to the Martin Luther King name change, let's just say that I live here, and was not consulted on that plan.