Before the Lake Washington Ship Canal was built Salmon Bay was a saltwater bay. It was home to the Shilshole people. They were Lushootseed speakers. Their village was located along the north side of Salmon Bay. It thrived for generations. The Shilshole people called the bay šilsšul. This is where the name Shilshole comes from.
Salmon Bay’s story is one of dramatic change. The construction of the Ship Canal in 1916 altered the bay forever. The Ballard Locks raised the water level by 20 feet. This transformed the western half of the bay into saltwater. The eastern half became freshwater. This impacted the Shilshole community profoundly. Their village was destroyed in the 1910s. The residents were removed. Some assimilated into the wider Seattle community. Others relocated to local reservations. Salmon Bay Charlie was the last resident of the village. He was evicted and sent to the Port Madison Reservation.
Archaeological digs in the 1920s uncovered remnants of the Shilshole village. Many tools were found. Some of them were made of iron. This shows the extent of their interaction with European settlers. The bay’s transformation also involved the building of bridges. The Ballard Bridge spans Salmon Bay. It carries 15th Avenue traffic between Ballard and Interbay. A predecessor to this bridge was built in 1891. The Salmon Bay Bridge carries BNSF Railway tracks. It connects Ballard and Magnolia.
Salmon Bay’s history is layered and complex. It’s a history of indigenous presence. It’s a history of displacement. It is a history of industrial development. It is a history of profound environmental change. The bay is a reminder of Seattle’s dynamic past. It is a past that continues to shape the city’s present. Today Salmon Bay remains a significant part of Seattle’s maritime landscape. It continues to serve as a vital link between Puget Sound and Lake Washington. It is a testament to the resilience of nature and the enduring spirit of the communities that have called it home.