PLACES THAT MATTER
Local stories celebrating places and the communities that anchor us.
WILD NEIGHBORS: The Bears of First Hill
First Hill is remembered for its grand mansions and elegant residents. One of its most remarkable stories tells of the Stimson family, whose mansion still stands on Minor Avenue, raising two orphaned bear cubs around 1910.
ALPINE AMBITIONS: Chalet Style in the Pacific Northwest
Every so often a roofline in the Northwest leans steeply skyward, its broad eaves casting long shadows. These are chalets β a motif that began in the Swiss Alps as sturdy mountain shelters, then crossed oceans and decades to settle among our cedars and suburbs.
ICONIC SEATTLE: Sleepless Cinema of Romance
When Sleepless in Seattle (1993) premiered, it placed Lake Union at the center of a love story that felt universal. Sam and Jonahβs houseboat bobbing on its waters became one of cinemaβs most recognizable homes. The lakeβs stillness framed grief and possibility, while ferries and seaplanes stitched together the sense that connection might always be just across the water.
PUGET SOUNDβS WILD ISLAND: Camanoβs Coastal Charm
Camano Island, surrounded by the quiet waters of Puget Sound, has long offered nourishment to those who call it home.
FROM RAILS TO TRAILS: The Interurban Trailβs Legacy and the Rise of Regional Transit
The historic Interurban Trail follows the route of a once-revolutionary electric railway line that helped shape the region.
MEET BILL PARKS: Artful Superstar Developer
Many owners of Bill Parksβ projects hold their artful investments for decades. They benefit from the developerβs perfected understanding of materials and techniques.
WHEN WATERWAYS WERE HIGHWAYS: The Historic Mosquito Fleet
Just offshore from Caledonia Cove, original pilings from the 19 th century stand as remnants of a once bustling steamboat operation β the legendary Mosquito Fleet.
LEAFY LAURELHURST: A Tucked-Away Gem on the Waterβs Edge
Tucked between Union Bay and Lake Washington, this established, verdant community attracts households seeking a serene enclave coupled with convenient access to amenities, services, and stellar outdoor recreation.
GRANDEUR AND INCLUSIVITY: A Community of Heritage
More than a hundred years ago, the Boston firm Olmsted Brothers built the gracefully curved boulevards and linked wooded parks that define Mt. Bakerβs tranquil, old-world character.
AHEAD OF THE CURVE: The Legacy of Dorothy Stimson Bullitt
Follow in the distinguished footsteps of a woman who single-handedly built an innovative media empire.
A CITY UPON A HILL: Life and Landmarks on Queen Anne
On Queen Anne Avenue find supermarkets, pharmacies, gyms, yoga studios, cafes and gourmet eateries galore, with a side of old neighborhood charm.
FROM CARPENTER TO CREATOR: Exploring the Architectural Legacy of Harlan Thomas
Harlan Thomas (1870-1953): Architectural Practitioner, Professor, Traveler, Engineer, Carpenter, and Artist
CALEDONIA COVE: A Historic Seaside Retreat
Since time immemorial an ancestral summer fishing and gathering outpost of Puyallup and other Coast Salish peoples, Northeast Tacoma, including Caledonia Cove, Brownβs Point, and Dash Point, was acquired by white settlers via the Treaty of Medicine Creek in 1854.
TIDES AND TREASURES: Beachcomb at Seahurst Park
The jewel of Burienβs park system, 178-acre Seahurst Park boasts a 2000-foot saltwater beach, miles of trails and a wildlife habitat including eagles, herons, woodpeckers, pheasants and owls.
BURIEN BOUND: Discovering Culture, Connection, and Community
Burienβs central hub location offers a thriving center for arts, culture and recreation with a diverse array of restaurants, bars, boutique retail, services, parks and beaches while also serving as a seamless connector to Downtown Seattle, SeaTac, Tacoma and the Eastsideβs employment centers.
DISAPPEARING GIANTS: The Curious Case of Ravennaβs Vanishing OldGrowth Trees
Ravenna Park attracted visitors beginning in the early 20th century, thanks to its giant trees, mineral springs, fountains, and music pavilion, charging 25Β’ for admission.
SOAKED IN HISTORY: Dive Into Colman Pool
Thereβs a special feeling at Colman Pool. Itβs probably because the pool is soaked in Seattle history.
CARLETON PARK: Coveted Neighborhood within a Coveted Neighborhood
Carleton Parkβs character shines through its esteemed estates, many built between the 1920s and 1950s, which showcase an architectural range from English Tudor and Georgian to Spanish and American Colonial Revival styles.
SHORELINEβS LUSH LEGACY: A City of Parks
Boasting over 400 acres of park land and 38 individual parks, Shoreline provides a breath of fresh air for residents around every corner.
FROM SUNNYDALE TO BOORIAN: Tracing Burienβs Roots
Originally named Sunnydale, the community adopted the name Burien to honor the popular Polish immigrant Gottlieb von Boorian.