Peering out from Elliott Bay Overlook, imagine Seattle’s history unfolding before you. Elliott Bay itself is a vital part of this story. Seattle was founded on its shores in the 1850s.
Elliott Bay has been a key element in Seattle’s growth. The bay’s waterway connects the city to the Pacific Ocean. This connection enabled the Port of Seattle to become one of the nation’s busiest.
The Duwamish people lived near Elliott Bay for thousands of years. They had at least 17 settlements when white settlers arrived. The Denny Party first settled at New York Alki. It is now known as West Seattle. After a harsh winter, they moved across Elliott Bay. They settled near today’s Pioneer Square. This became the heart of Seattle.
The bay got its name during the Wilkes expedition in 1841. The namesake remains uncertain. Candidates include Jared Elliott, George Elliott, and Samuel Elliott. Samuel is considered the most likely. Commodore Jesse Elliott is another possibility. Before 1895, people often called it Duwamish Bay or Seattle Harbor.
A local legend speaks of the Puget Sound Mosquito Fleet. A Seattleite saw the bay’s activity and likened it to mosquitoes. Two notable sinkings occurred here. The Dix sank in 1906 with dozens of lives lost. The Multnomah sank in 1911. These passenger services declined as cars and ferries gained popularity.
In 2002, the last Boeing 307 Stratoliner model ditched into Elliott Bay. It was on its final test flight. The aircraft had undergone an eight-year restoration. It was meant for display at the National Air and Space Museum. Despite the incident, it was restored again. It now resides at the Smithsonian.
West Point and Alki Point mark Elliott Bay’s northern and southern entrances. A line between them separates the bay from the open sound. The Duwamish River flows into the bay’s southeastern part. This area saw significant human modification. Harbor Island was created by channeling the river and filling tideflats. It was once the world’s largest artificial island.
Elliott Bay is home to the Port of Seattle. In 2002, it ranked as the 9th busiest U.S. port by container traffic. Cruise ship business has become increasingly important. Colman Dock, Seattle’s main ferry terminal, is also located here. Ferries regularly travel to Bainbridge Island and Bremerton.
Two marinas operate in Elliott Bay. Elliott Bay Marina, privately owned, has 1200 slips. Bell Harbor Marina, run by the Port of Seattle, can moor up to 70 vessels.
Many piers extend into the bay. Piers 57 and 59 offer tourist attractions. These include the Seattle Great Wheel and the Seattle Aquarium. The Edgewater Hotel stands on Pier 67. Pier 86 is a grain shipping terminal. Grain travels to ships over Elliott Bay Trail.
Elliott Bay has faced environmental concerns. Urban and industrial development have caused contamination worries. Two Superfund cleanup sites are on the southern shoreline. These are Harbor Island and the former Lockheed West Seattle location.
The downtown waterfront provides a poor habitat for juvenile salmon. The seawall redevelopment project aims to improve this. Underwater structures will create shallows for the salmon. Glass blocks in the sidewalk will let sunlight reach these areas. Noise pollution is another problem in Elliott Bay.
Marine vehicles operate around the clock. This constant noise can disturb marine mammals. Elliott Bay Overlook offers a chance to reflect on this complex ecosystem. Its beauty and challenges are intertwined.