Magnolia, Seattle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Magnolia
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Seattle Neighborhood
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Smith Cove and Magnolia seen from Columbia Center
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Map of Magnolia's location in Seattle
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | King |
| City | Seattle |
| City Council | District 6, 7 |
| Zip Code |
98199
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| Area Code | 206 |
Magnolia is a large neighborhood in Seattle, Washington. It's the second biggest neighborhood in Seattle by land area. Magnolia sits on a hilly piece of land (a peninsula) northwest of downtown Seattle. It became part of the city way back in 1891. A big part of this peninsula is taken up by Discovery Park. This park used to be a U.S. Army base called Fort Lawton.
Magnolia feels a bit separate from the rest of Seattle. Only three bridges connect it by road to the city. These bridges go over the BNSF Railway tracks. They are W. Emerson Street in the north, W. Dravus Street in the center, and W. Garfield Street (the Magnolia Bridge) in the south.
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Where is Magnolia?
Magnolia has clear boundaries. To the north, you'll find Salmon Bay and Shilshole Bay. These are part of the Lake Washington Ship Canal, and across them is the neighborhood of Ballard.
To the west, Magnolia faces Puget Sound and Elliott Bay. To the south, it's bordered by Elliott Bay and Smith Cove. On the east side, you'll see the BNSF Railway and the Port of Seattle's Terminal 91. Beyond these is the Interbay area.
How Magnolia Got Its Name
You might think Magnolia is named after magnolia trees. While some magnolia trees do grow there, the name was actually a mistake! In 1856, Captain George Davidson of the U.S. Coast Survey named it. He thought the many madrona trees looked like magnolias. Today, people are working to protect the madrona trees that are still there.
Parks and Nature in Magnolia
Magnolia has some amazing outdoor spots.
Magnolia Park and Smith Cove
At the south end of Magnolia is Magnolia Park. From here, you can see Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, and the city skyline. It's a great place for a picnic and has tennis courts nearby. Also in Magnolia is Smith Cove, which has a marina for boats.
Discovery Park: Seattle's Largest Park
Discovery Park is in the northwest part of Magnolia. It's huge, covering about 534 acres (2.16 square kilometers). This makes it Seattle's biggest park! It has seven miles (11 kilometers) of trails. These trails offer amazing views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.
Some parts of the old Fort Lawton are still in the park. These include historic buildings and officers' homes. Many of these are now private houses. Discovery Park also has long beaches around West Point. This is the westernmost point in Seattle. At West Point, there's a lighthouse that helps guide ships into Seattle's harbor, Elliott Bay.
West Point Lighthouse
Right next to Discovery Park is West Point. Here you'll find the West Point Lighthouse. It was built in 1881 and is the oldest lighthouse in the area. You can walk down from the park to two miles (3 km) of beach and the lighthouse. West Point also has one of Seattle's sewage treatment plants and some old archaeological sites.
Cool Places in Magnolia
Magnolia has some special places that make it unique.
The Magnolia Library
The local branch of the Seattle Public Library is a highlight. It was designed in 1964 by famous architects Paul Hayden Kirk and Richard Haag. They even won awards for their design! Inside the children's section, there's a statue called "Girl Holding Doves." It was made by Ebba Rapp McLauchlan. Outside, you'll see a bronze wall sculpture named "Activity of Thought." This abstract art piece was created just for the library by Glenn Alps. The library also has beautiful solid walnut tables and chairs, custom-designed by George Nakashima.
The Village Business District
Magnolia's main business area is called "The Village" by people who live there. It has many unique shops, places for professional services, and restaurants. During the summer, there's a farmers market held on Saturdays in Magnolia Village. It's a great place to find fresh, local food.
Schools in Magnolia
Magnolia has three Seattle Public Schools:
- Lawton Elementary
- Magnolia Elementary
- Catherine Blaine K-8 (which means it teaches kids from kindergarten to 8th grade)
Magnolia's Neighborhoods
The Seattle City Clerk's office divides Magnolia into three smaller neighborhoods:
- Lawton Park – This is the northern half of Magnolia.
- Briarcliff – This makes up the southwestern quarter of Magnolia.
- Southeast Magnolia – This is the southeastern quarter of Magnolia.
Images for kids
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Map of Magnolia
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BNSF Railway tracks near Kiwanis Ravine
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A park in Magnolia
