Picture a tranquil haven nestled between lakes. This is Montlake a Seattle neighborhood brimming with history. Montlake’s story begins long before the arrival of European settlers. The Duwamish people called this area “carry a canoe”. They used the narrow strip of land between Lake Union and Lake Washington as a vital transportation route. Imagine their canoes gliding across the waters centuries ago.
In the late 1800s Montlake’s development began. The first plat was filed in 1869. John McGilvra Philip Drew and Philip Ritz claimed the land. The area officially became part of Seattle in 1891. The name Montlake itself was carefully chosen. Developers hoped it evoked images of majestic mountains and stunning lakes. This attracted buyers and spurred growth.
By the early 1900s Montlake flourished. The Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in 1909 brought a streetcar line to 24th Avenue E. This fueled even more development. The completion of the Lake Washington Ship Canal in 1916 and the Montlake Bridge in 1925 further transformed Montlake. A small commercial district sprung up along the streetcar line. Businesses like the Montlake Market and Cunningham’s Ski Lodge Rentals thrived.
Montlake’s unique character is also shaped by its beautiful parks. The Olmsted Parks and Boulevards Plan of 1903 surrounded Montlake with green spaces. Washington Park Arboretum is a breathtaking example. The Arboretum opened in 1936 and showcases diverse plant life. Interlaken Park another gem boasts steep forested slopes. Montlake Playfield Park built on a former dahlia farm offers green space a playground and room for recreation.
The construction of SR 520 and the unfinished R H Thomson Expressway in the 1960s brought significant changes. This highway bisected Montlake altering its landscape. The neighborhood however retains its charm and pre-World War II character. Historic homes many in Craftsman and revival styles still stand. The Watkins Residence a beautiful Italian Renaissance Revival style home built in 1926 is a prime example. It has been home to naval architects bakery owners and even a sales manager at King County Medical Services.
Today Montlake blends a calm atmosphere with easy access to other vibrant Seattle neighborhoods. It’s a place where history and nature intertwine. Walk along Montlake Boulevard and imagine the past. Visit the Washington Park Arboretum. Explore the neighborhood’s charming homes and businesses. Discover for yourself the unique beauty and rich history of Montlake a Seattle treasure.