Washington Street Boat Landing

“Ahoy there, matey!” a gruff voice might have called out from the Washington Street Boat Landing in 1920. The Washington Street Boat Landing, originally the Naval Shore Station, opened on July 3rd of that year. Imagine sailors scrambling ashore from their barges, eager to set foot on solid ground after a long journey. This wasn’t just any landing; it was a symbol of the close partnership between the City of Seattle and the U.S. Navy during a time of great change and growth. The city’s harbormaster, Captain A.A. Paysse, even worked with the Navy during World War I, facilitating the loan of a naval vessel and other equipment for the city’s use. In return, Paysse expedited the harbor department’s wireless station and established landing floats at Pier 1 for the fleet. This collaboration paved the way for the construction of the Washington Street Boat Landing, a much-needed facility for smaller naval vessels navigating the increasingly crowded waterfront. The pergola, a striking 86-foot wide wrought-iron structure, was designed by the city architect Daniel R. Huntington. It wasn’t just practical; it added a touch of elegance to Seattle’s bustling waterfront. Today, the Washington Street Boat Landing stands as a reminder of Seattle’s rich maritime history. It has been restored and placed along the shoreline, overlooking the newly constructed habitat beach. It’s a place where you can almost hear the echoes of the past, the clatter of boots on the wooden planks, and the cheerful greetings of sailors returning to shore.