South Lake Union’s
Rich History

Source: Wendy Simons Photography

A Native American home in the area, circa 1905. Source: MOHAI

A Native American home in the area, circa 1905. Source: MOHAI

Early lumber mill of David Denny on the south shore of Lake Union, circa 1885. Source: MOHAI

Early lumber mill of David Denny on the south shore of Lake Union, circa 1885. Source: MOHAI

Chesheeahud was a Native American leader who lived at the shore of Lake Union, pictured with wife Tleebuleetsa, circa 1900. Source: MOHAI

Chesheeahud was a Native American leader who lived at the shore of Lake Union, pictured with wife Tleebuleetsa, circa 1900. Source: MOHAI

Prior to the opening of the Lake Washington Ship Canal, this small cut was dug to allow passage of logs from Lake Washington into Lake Union’s Portage Bay and to the mill at the lake’s south shore, 1908. Source: MOHAI

Prior to the opening of the Lake Washington Ship Canal, this small cut was dug to allow passage of logs from Lake Washington into Lake Union’s Portage Bay and to the mill at the lake’s south shore, 1908. Source: MOHAI

The Brace and Hergert Mill replaced the former Denny mill. Pictured in 1910, it operated until 1921 at the site of what is now Lake Union Park. Source: MOHAI

The Brace and Hergert Mill replaced the former Denny mill. Pictured in 1910, it operated until 1921 at the site of what is now Lake Union Park. Source: MOHAI

The light industrial history of SLU is illustrated by the many commercial laundries that once occupied the Cascade neighborhood. Pictured are a fleet of wagons belonging to Supply Laundry Company, 1917. The building façade was later incorporated into

The light industrial history of SLU is illustrated by the many commercial laundries that once occupied the Cascade neighborhood. Pictured are a fleet of wagons belonging to Supply Laundry Company, 1917. The building façade was later incorporated into contemporary apartment homes. Source: MOHAI

William Boeing holds a bag of international airmail, just delivered from Vancouver, Canada in March 1919. Source: MOHAI

William Boeing holds a bag of international airmail, just delivered from Vancouver, Canada in March 1919. Source: MOHAI

Future sight of the Lake Union Drydock Company, 1919 Source: MOHAI

Future sight of the Lake Union Drydock Company, 1919 Source: MOHAI

The William O McKay Ford and Lincoln dealership, pictured in 1939, a premier example of the art deco style. Westlake Avenue (previously Speedway Avenue) was an early location for auto dealerships and repair facilities in Seattle. The building’s façad

The William O McKay Ford and Lincoln dealership, pictured in 1939, a premier example of the art deco style. Westlake Avenue (previously Speedway Avenue) was an early location for auto dealerships and repair facilities in Seattle. The building’s façade has been maintained in the Allen Institute that now occupies the site. Source: MOHAI

Children play at the Cascade Park Children’s Pool in 1939. Source: MOHAI

Children play at the Cascade Park Children’s Pool in 1939. Source: MOHAI

Female employees pose with the nose section of a B-17 bomber at the truck plant where assembly supported the war effort in 1944. Source: MOHAI

Female employees pose with the nose section of a B-17 bomber at the truck plant where assembly supported the war effort in 1944. Source: MOHAI

In this 1944 photo, workers at the Kenworth truck plant take a break during the war effort. Source: MOHAI

In this 1944 photo, workers at the Kenworth truck plant take a break during the war effort. Source: MOHAI

During the early 20th century, many small boat building shops lined the shores of Lake Union. Source: MOHAI

During the early 20th century, many small boat building shops lined the shores of Lake Union. Source: MOHAI

A view in SLU shows Mercer Street, with Fairview Avenue N stretching to the NE as construction of the Interstate 5 freeway is completed in the background, 1962. Source: MOHAI

A view in SLU shows Mercer Street, with Fairview Avenue N stretching to the NE as construction of the Interstate 5 freeway is completed in the background, 1962. Source: MOHAI

Mayor Norm Rice and business leaders tour SLU as the location for the Seattle Commons, a proposed grand park stretching from the shore of Lake Union into downtown Seattle, 1993. Source: MOHAI

Mayor Norm Rice and business leaders tour SLU as the location for the Seattle Commons, a proposed grand park stretching from the shore of Lake Union into downtown Seattle, 1993. Source: MOHAI

Saint Spiridon Orthodox Church dates from 1941, representative of the many cultures who have called SLU home through the years. Source: Elston Hill

Saint Spiridon Orthodox Church dates from 1941, representative of the many cultures who have called SLU home through the years. Source: Elston Hill

A former Seattle City Light steam plant for generating electricity served Seattle beginning in 1917. Today the building has been repurposed as a home for biotech. Source: Elston Hill

A former Seattle City Light steam plant for generating electricity served Seattle beginning in 1917. Today the building has been repurposed as a home for biotech. Source: Elston Hill

A former US Naval Armory Building now serves as the home of Seattle’s Museum of History and Industry. Source: Elston Hill

A former US Naval Armory Building now serves as the home of Seattle’s Museum of History and Industry. Source: Elston Hill

A former Ford Motors Assembly Plant reimagined for another use. Source: Elston Hill

A former Ford Motors Assembly Plant reimagined for another use. Source: Elston Hill

Artisanship and traditional skills combine to produce a contemporary example of a dugout canoe at the Center for Wooden Boats. Source: Matthew Curry

Artisanship and traditional skills combine to produce a contemporary example of a dugout canoe at the Center for Wooden Boats. Source: Matthew Curry

Today South Lake Union is a Remarkable Work in Progress

 

Rarely does a neighborhood redefine itself on this scale.

Imagine multiple constituencies coming together to craft the formative common vision, guiding framework, and binding legislation that would drive the transformation of a light industrial and warehouse district to an urban center.

SLUCC Plays a Role from the Beginning

Fish girl art installation

Source: Elston Hill

Incorporated in 2000, SLUCC collaborated with the City of Seattle and neighborhood stakeholders, as the vision and framework for South Lake Union as an urban center emerged.  Today, one of SLUCC’s roles, as the City of Seattle’s designated Neighborhood Leadership Organization, is to help ensure compliance with SLU’s adopted framework and guidelines.  All the while staying true to its values and mission.

The Driving Mission:
Steward a livable, vibrant urban neighborhood: supporting a diversity of residents of all ages and incomes; driving an innovative local economy; and providing rich, cultural community opportunities.  

 The Guiding Values:
Inclusiveness – Integrity – Respect – Transparency – Impartiality

 

South Lake Union Historical References

Learn more about the South Lake Union Neighborhood.