Historical Lake Union

Lake Union's Rogers Playground
Take a moment to read about Eastlake's historic Rogers Playground, a beloved community spot that the neighborhood has embraced and come together to restore.

Click here to read Rogers Playground—A Neighborhood History
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Historical Photos of Lake Union:

Lake Union's first Seaplane
Mayor Hiram Gill takes his first flight July 18, 1914. The aviator, Silas Christofferson, had been hired for Potlatch (think "SeaFair") to fly exhibitions (think "hydroplane races") over Elliott Bay. Harbor Island was the primary base for Seattle's first four years of powered flight. By mid-1914, with hydro-aeroplanes ready for passengers, Lake Union's accessibility became attractive. Our first flights launched from the foot of East Boston Street.

Aerial View of Lake Union, circa 1932

Mucked (March 13, 1914)
Heavy rains breached the Fremont timber dam, washing out the Fremont Bridge within two hours. Over the next 22 hours, Lake Union dropped 10 feet. Some 200 Houseboats descended into mire. Within two weeks, the dam was replaced and the lake returned. This is the view of the1800 block of Fairview Avenue.