The shores of Lake Union were inhabited by the Duwamish people since time immemorial. They called the lake “meman hartshu” meaning “little lake” and had several settlements surrounding it. Seattle’s Cascade or South Lake Union (SLU) neighborhood began growing quickly in the 1880s, as the city expanded north from downtown. Industrial activity on the lake increased in the early 1900s when the ship canal was completed. In the 1950s SLU was a mix of marine industries, working-class residences, manufacturing, and commercial activity including many car-related businesses. It largely retained this identity until the early 21st century despite the challenges of economic downturn and the pressures of gentrification. Medical organizations moved in in the 1980s, and tech giant Amazon moved to SLU in the early 2000s.

This photograph is an aerial view of the neighborhood looking south in 1993. Seattle’s downtown skyline can be seen in the background. The Center for Wooden Boats and the Naval Reserve Armory are visible in the center on the lakeshore. The Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) has occupied the Naval Reserve Armory building since December 2012.

Caption information source: “Seattle Neighborhoods: Cascade and South Lake Union – Thumbnail History,” by Louis Fiset, HistoryLink essay 3178, retrieved from https://www.historylink.org/file/3178.