PLACES THAT MATTER
Local stories celebrating places and the communities that anchor us.
LOGGING, LEGACY & THE BEACH: The History of Mabana
Along the southern curve of Camano Island lies Mabana, a shoreline community with a surprisingly rich legacy—one that blends Native heritage, immigrant grit, mid-century ambition, and modern creativity.
DIGGING INTO NEWCASTLE: Tracing the Tunnels That Shaped a City
Explore Newcastle’s hidden history beneath its quiet hills lies a network of coal tunnels that powered Seattle’s rise. Discover trails, lore, and living geology.
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.
BEACON HILL REMEMBERS: Día de los Muertos and the Spirit of Community
Each fall, the Beacon Hill neighborhood in Seattle transforms into a landscape of color, candles and memory. Beneath papel picado banners that ripple in the wind, families gather at El Centro de la Raza to celebrate Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead.
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 — 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 Jonah’s houseboat bobbing on its waters became one of cinema’s most recognizable homes. The lake’s stillness framed grief and possibility, while ferries and seaplanes stitched together the sense that connection might always be just across the water.
PUGET SOUND’S WILD ISLAND: Camano’s 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 Trail’s 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 Parks’ projects hold their artful investments for decades. They benefit from the developer’s 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 — the legendary Mosquito Fleet.
LEAFY LAURELHURST: A Tucked-Away Gem on the Water’s 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. Baker’s 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, Brown’s 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 Burien’s 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
Burien’s 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 Eastside’s employment centers.
DISAPPEARING GIANTS: The Curious Case of Ravenna’s 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 25¢ for admission.
SOAKED IN HISTORY: Dive Into Colman Pool
There’s a special feeling at Colman Pool. It’s probably because the pool is soaked in Seattle history.