Beneath these tranquil grounds lies a story of peace. It is a story of remembrance and community. Welcome to Abbey View Memorial Park.
Abbey View Memorial Park was established in 1953. Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park founded it. The park spans 82 acres in Brier. Brier sits between Kenmore and Mountlake Terrace. It is just north of Lake Forest Park. This location is in Western Washington.
Interestingly, Abbey View has sections used by local synagogues. Reform Temple Beth Am and Conservative Congregation Beth Shalom both have sections here. Temple Beth Am purchased property in 1999. They named it Gan Shalom. Evergreen Washelli sold them the land to start their cemetery. Congregation Beth Shalom purchased their section in 2000. These sections are in the Southwest corner of Abbey View property. They are located on the West side of Alaska Way.
Evergreen Washelli Cemetery has a long history. It originated in 1884. Back then, the area was known as Oak Lake. It was a full day’s buggy ride from Seattle via Ballard.
In 1914, the property was sold. The American Necropolis Association bought it. This St. Louis-based company owned cemeteries in several states. ANA renamed the cemetery “Washelli”. This is a Makah word. It means “west wind”. Washelli had been the name of a Central Seattle cemetery. That cemetery closed in 1887.
Evergreen Cemetery purchased Washelli from ANA in 1922.
Abbey View Memorial Park has a collection of historical materials. These are held at the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections. The Abbey View Cemetery collection includes items from 1950 to 1970. These items consist of paintings, photographs, correspondence, and financial documents.
The collection contains 2.28 cubic feet of materials. This includes films, negatives, slides, film strips, and even a floppy disk. The collection offers a glimpse into the cemetery’s early days. It shows its development over time. There are photos of the park, memorials, and early construction. You can also view photos of Easter services held here.
Photos also capture maintenance equipment. Early park entrances are shown. Crowds at events are visible. There’s even a photo of a tree ring and a Washington statue. Other photos document the mausoleum construction from 1960 to 1961. Aerial photos from 1964 to 1967 show the park’s layout. These images provide valuable insights into Abbey View Memorial Park’s past.
Abbey View Memorial Park is more than just a cemetery. It is a place of history. It is a place of community. It is a place of remembrance. The park offers a quiet space for reflection. It connects people to the past. It provides a peaceful setting. It is a place where memories live on.