List of landmarks in King County, Washington facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

King County, Washington, is a place full of history, and like many other areas, it has special spots called landmarks. These landmarks are important buildings, bridges, or even entire areas that have been officially recognized because of their history, unique design, or cultural value. They help us remember the past and understand how our communities grew.

Imagine a landmark as a special treasure that tells a story about the people who lived here long ago. King County and its cities work to protect these places so that future generations, like you, can learn from them. Let's explore some of these cool historical sites!

Exploring King County's Historic Landmarks
Images for kids
See also

Exploring King County's Historic Landmarks

King County has many different types of landmarks, from old farmhouses to bridges and community centers. Each one has a unique story.

Bridges That Connect the Past

Bridges are not just for crossing rivers; some are historical landmarks!

Baring Bridge: A Link to the Past

The Baring Bridge was built in 1930 and became a landmark in 1999. You can find it near Baring on NE Index Creek Road. It's a great example of early 20th-century engineering.

The historic Baring Bridge.

South Park Bridge: A Memory of the Duwamish River

The Fourteenth Avenue South Bridge, also known as the South Park Bridge, was built in 1930. It was listed as a landmark in 1996, even though it was taken down between 2010 and 2011. It used to cross the Duwamish River near South Park, Seattle. Even though it's gone, its memory as an important part of the area's history lives on.

The old South Park Bridge before it was removed.

Judd Creek Bridge: Vashon Island's Crossing

On Vashon Island, the Judd Creek Bridge was built in 1953 and became a landmark in 2004. It's located on Vashon Highway near Burton.

Judd Creek Bridge on Vashon Island.

Buildings with Stories to Tell

Many landmarks are buildings that served important roles in their communities.

Burton Masonic Hall: A Community Hub

The Burton Masonic Hall on Vashon Island was built way back in 1894 and became a landmark in 1995. It's located at 23927 Vashon Highway SW. These halls were often important meeting places for local groups.

The historic Burton Masonic Hall.

Camp North Bend: A Place for Learning and Fun

Originally known as Camp Waskowitz, Camp North Bend was built in 1935 and listed as a landmark in 1992. It's at 45509 SE 150th Street in North Bend. Camps like this have provided outdoor education and fun for many young people over the years.

Camp Waskowitz, a historic camp in North Bend.

Clise Residence: A Grand Farmhouse

The Clise Residence, also called Willowmoor Farm, was built between 1904 and 1920 and became a landmark in 1982. You can find it in Marymoor Park at 6046 Lake Sammamish Parkway, near Redmond. This grand house and farm show what life was like for some families in the early 20th century.

The beautiful Clise Residence, also known as Willowmoor Farm.

Des Moines Activity Center: A Place for Everyone

The Des Moines Activity Center was built between 1938 and 1940 and became a landmark in 1984. It's located at 1000 220th Street in Des Moines. These centers were often built to give people places to gather and do activities, especially during tough economic times.

The Des Moines Activity Center.

Dockton Store and Post Office: Vashon's Historic Hub

Another landmark on Vashon Island is the Dockton Store and Post Office, built in 1908 and listed in 1992. It's at 25908 99th Avenue SW. Small stores and post offices were once the heart of many communities, where people bought supplies and shared news.

The old Dockton Store and Post Office.

Fall City Hop Shed: A Piece of Agricultural History

The Fall City Hop Shed dates back to 1880 and became a landmark in 1982. It's located in Fall City River Front Park in Fall City. Hop sheds were used to dry hops, a key ingredient in making beer, showing the area's agricultural past.

The historic Fall City Hop Shed.

King County Courthouse: A Center of Justice

The King County Courthouse in Seattle is a very important building. Parts of it were built in 1916 and 1931, and it became a landmark in 1987. It's located at Third & James. This is where many important decisions for the county are made.

The King County Courthouse in Seattle.

Lake Wilderness Lodge: A Lakeside Retreat

The Lake Wilderness Lodge was built in 1950 and became a landmark in 1997. It's at 22500 SE 248th in Maple Valley. This lodge likely served as a popular spot for relaxation and events by the lake.

The Lake Wilderness Lodge.

Luther Burbank School: An Island's Education History

On Mercer Island, the Luther Burbank School was built in 1928 and listed as a landmark in 1984. It's at 2040 84th Avenue SE. Schools are often central to a community's history, educating generations of students.

A building at the former Luther Burbank School.

Mukai Agricultural Complex: A Japanese-American Legacy

The Mukai Agricultural Complex on Vashon Island, Washington was built in 1926 and became a landmark in 1993. It's at 18005-18017 107th Avenue SW. This complex tells an important story about Japanese-American farming history in the region.

The Mukai Cold Process Fruit Barrelling Plant.

Neely Mansion: A Glimpse into the Past

The Neely (Aaron) Mansion was built in 1894 and became a landmark in 1982. It's located at 12303 Auburn-Black Diamond Road in Auburn. This mansion offers a look at the architecture and lifestyle of the late 19th century.

The historic Neely Mansion.

Si View Pool and Activity Center: A Community Gathering Spot

The Si View Pool and Activity Center in North Bend was built between 1938 and 1940 and became a landmark in 1984. It's on Orchard Drive. Like other activity centers, it provided important recreational opportunities for the community.

The Si View Park Activity Center.

Tahoma High School: A School's History

The original Tahoma High School in Maple Valley was built in 1926 and 1938, becoming a landmark in 2001. It's at 24415 SE 216th Way. This building holds many memories for students and teachers over the decades.

The historic Tahoma High School building.

Vashon Odd Fellows Hall: Another Island Meeting Place

The Vashon Odd Fellows Hall on Vashon Island was built in 1912 and became a landmark in 1985. It's at 19704 Vashon Highway SW. Fraternal halls like this were common in the past, serving as social and charitable centers.

The Vashon Odd Fellows Hall.

Vashon Hardware Store: A Long-Standing Business

Also on Vashon Island, the Vashon Hardware Store was built in 1890 and 1935, becoming a landmark in 1986. It's at 17601 Vashon Highway SW. This store has been a part of the island community for a very long time.

The historic Vashon Hardware Store.

White Center Fieldhouse: A Place for Sports and Fun

The White Center Fieldhouse was built between 1938 and 1940 and became a landmark in 1984. It's at 1321 SW 102nd Street in White Center. Fieldhouses provided indoor spaces for sports and community events.

The White Center Fieldhouse.

Farms and Rural Life

Many landmarks show the agricultural roots of King County.

Dougherty Farmstead: A Pioneer Farm

The Dougherty Farmstead was established in 1888 and became a landmark in 1983. It's at 26526 NE Cherry Valley Road, near Duvall. This farm represents the early farming families who settled the area.

The Dougherty Farmstead.

Matilde & Olof Olson Farm: A Maple Valley Farm

The Matilde & Olof Olson Farm was built between 1907 and 1909 and became a landmark in 1991. It's at 24206 SE 216th Street in Maple Valley. This farm is another example of the region's agricultural heritage.

The barn at the Matilde & Olof Olson Farm.

Unique Landmarks and Districts

Some landmarks are not just single buildings but entire areas or special features.

Red Brick Road: A Historic Path

The Red Brick Road / James Mattson Road was built in 1901 and became a landmark in 1993. It's on 196th Ave. NE between Union Hill Road & 55th Place NE, near Redmond. Imagine traveling on this brick road over a hundred years ago!

A section of the historic Red Brick Road.

Town of Selleck: A Company Town's History

The entire Town of Selleck was active from 1908 to 1939 and became a landmark in 1987. It's located east of Maple Valley and north of Enumclaw. Selleck was a "company town," built around a lumber mill, and its designation as a landmark helps preserve the story of industrial communities.

A view of the historic town of Selleck.

Fall City Historic Residential District: A Neighborhood's Past

The Fall City Historic Residential District includes homes built between 1887 and 1942. It became a community landmark in 2002 and is located in the vicinity of Preston-Fall City Road in Fall City. This district helps preserve the look and feel of an older neighborhood.

A church in the Fall City Historic Residential District.

Norman Edson Studio: An Artist's Space

The Norman Edson Studio on Vashon Island was built in the 1890s and became a community landmark in 1985. It's at 23825 Vashon Hwy SW. This studio was likely where an artist created their work, adding to the cultural history of the island.

The Norman Edson Studio.