In 1882, lumber mills, shipyards, and other industries began to move north from Seattle’s waterfront to the shores of Lake Union. Industrial development continued with Seattle’s growth but shrank after World War II. A few shipyards remained by the late 1960s, plus some light industry, apartments, parking lots, fast food restaurants, marinas, and a seaplane terminal. Roads were built and widened to move traffic quickly through the area.

This image shows the western and northern shores of Lake Union. The reddish tank of the city’s coal gasification plant (now Gasworks Park) are visible the left center of the image.
The white roofs of a marina and the Kenmore Air seaplane terminal can be seen in the lower center, beyond Aurora Avenue, which stretches into the lower right corner. A few drive-in restaurants can be seen along the near part of Aurora. The Interstate 5 bridge crosses the Lake Washington Ship Canal in the upper right center, and buildings on the University of Washington campus are visible beyond it.

Caption information source: “Lake Union Lumber and Manufacturing is incorporated on March 19, 1882, by Jennifer Ott, HistoryLink Essay 10218.