Fort Lawton Historic District

Did Seattle ever consider selling Fort Lawton for a single dollar? In the heart of present-day Discovery Park, the Fort Lawton Historic District whispers tales of ambition, war, and social change. Fort Lawton, established in 1898, started as a dream of Seattle’s elite. They envisioned a grand military post boosting the city’s economy and prestige. Landowners donated over 700 acres, and by 1900, the first seven permanent buildings graced the landscape. Fort Lawton wasn’t initially the bustling hub Seattle had hoped for. However, it became a vital port during World War II, the second largest on the West Coast, with over a million troops passing through. Interestingly, during the Great Depression, the Army offered to sell Fort Lawton back to Seattle for a mere dollar. The city declined, worried about maintenance costs. Fort Lawton also played a role in the Boxer Rebellion. It served as a marshaling point for soldiers heading to China. Photographer Theodore E. Peiser captured images of the horse corrals, soldiers, and transport ships departing for Nome, Alaska, en route to China. Another fascinating chapter in Fort Lawton’s history involves the Buffalo Soldiers. In 1909, the 25th Infantry Regiment, composed mainly of African American soldiers, arrived from the Philippines. These 900 men and their families significantly expanded Seattle’s African American community. A dark shadow fell over Fort Lawton in 1944. Italian POW Guglielmo Olivotto was murdered during a riot. Twenty-eight African American soldiers were wrongly convicted and imprisoned. Their sentences were overturned in 2007, and the Army formally apologized in 2008. The Korean War brought renewed activity to Fort Lawton, serving as a processing center for troops. Later, an Air Force radar station and Nike anti-aircraft missiles were installed, although upgrade proposals were rejected in 1968. In 1970, a group of Native Americans, led by Bernie Whitebear, occupied Fort Lawton for three weeks. They asserted their claim to the surplus land. This led to the establishment of the Daybreak Star Cultural Center on 40 acres. The remaining 534 acres became Discovery Park. The Fort Lawton Historic District stands as a testament to this layered past. Today, within Discovery Park, you can still find remnants of the original fort. These buildings and structures whisper stories of a bygone era. Fort Lawton’s journey, from quiet outpost to bustling port, from social struggle to peaceful park, is etched within these grounds. It invites us to reflect on the changing tides of history and the enduring spirit of a city.