Maple Leaf, Seattle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maple Leaf, Seattle
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Seattle Neighborhood
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | King |
| City | Seattle |
| Zip Code |
98115
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| Area code(s) | 206 |
Maple Leaf is a friendly neighborhood in northeast Seattle, mostly made up of homes. It's a great place to live and learn!
Contents
Discovering Maple Leaf's Past
The area we now call Maple Leaf first appeared on maps in 1894. Real estate developers named it the "Maple Leaf Addition to the Green Lake Tract." The name might have come from a sawmill called Maple Saw Mill, which was located nearby on Lake Washington. Another idea is that some maple trees used to grow in the area. There's also a fun, unofficial story that Maple Leaf got its name because it was so far north of downtown Seattle, it felt like it was almost in Canada!
Becoming Part of Seattle
Maple Leaf didn't become fully part of Seattle until after World War II. Before 1954, the city's border was at 85th Street. But after several areas joined the city, Seattle's limits moved north to 145th Street. This meant all of Maple Leaf was finally inside the city.
A "Neighborhood of the Year"
In 1986, Maple Leaf received a special award! It was named the national "Neighborhood of the Year" by an organization called Neighborhoods USA. Seattle's Mayor, Charles Royer, was the one who suggested Maple Leaf for this awesome award.
Exploring Maple Leaf's Location and Features
Even though Seattle's neighborhood borders can change, Maple Leaf is generally located between two major roads. To the west, you'll find Interstate 5. To the east is Washington State Route 522, also known as Lake City Way. The neighborhood stretches north to Northgate Way and south to NE 75th Street.
Neighboring Communities
Maple Leaf is surrounded by other cool neighborhoods. To the south is the Roosevelt neighborhood. To the north, you'll find Pinehurst and Victory Heights, which are part of the Northgate area. To the east are Lake City and Wedgwood. And to the west is North College Park or Licton Springs.
High Points and Landmarks
Maple Leaf has one of the highest spots in Seattle! The highest point is on 92nd Street and Roosevelt Way, reaching 466 feet above sea level. This makes it the third highest point in the entire city.
The neighborhood also has some unique landmarks. There's a tall water tower and a reservoir located at 85th and Roosevelt. You might also remember the historic Waldo Hospital at 85th NE and NE 15th. This hospital has since been replaced by a senior living community. The water tower is easy to spot because it's painted with a cool design of maple leaves, which you can even see from Interstate 5!
The Maple Leaf Park and Reservoir
The Maple Leaf reservoir was built in 1910. Its main job was to store water for homes and businesses. In 2009, the city of Seattle started a project to move the reservoir underground. This was part of a bigger plan to put all open reservoirs underground. This helps keep the water supply cleaner and safer. It also creates new public spaces on top of the covered reservoirs. In 2013, a 16-acre park was finished on top of the underground reservoir. It's a great place for everyone to enjoy!
Schools and Library in Maple Leaf
Public Elementary Schools
Maple Leaf is home to two public elementary schools. They are part of the Seattle Public Schools district.
- Olympic View Elementary School: This school is a two-story brick building with 20 rooms. It's located on 95th Street. Olympic View was first opened in 1903 as the East Oak Lake School, making it one of Seattle's oldest schools! The building you see today was built in 1989.
- Sacajawea Elementary School: This school first opened in 1955 with nine portable classrooms. The current building was finished in 1959 and is located on 20th Avenue. The school is named after Sacagawea, a brave Shoshone Indian woman who helped guide the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Private Schools in the Neighborhood
Besides the public schools, Maple Leaf also has a few private schools:
- The Fairview School: This school teaches students from kindergarten through 8th grade. It's connected with the Church of God. The school building itself was built in 1908 and was a public elementary school for 70 years.
- St. Catherine School: This is a Catholic school for students from kindergarten through 8th grade. It was started in 1941.
- The Perkins School: This school teaches students from kindergarten through 5th grade. It's located on Roosevelt Way.
The Historic Maple Leaf School
There was once a school called The Maple Leaf School that opened in 1896. It was located near Lake Washington. Today, this area would be considered just outside the current Maple Leaf neighborhood boundaries.
The Northgate Library
The Northgate Library is a branch of the Seattle Public Library system. It's located on 5th Avenue, right across from the Northgate Mall. This library, along with a community center and park, opened in July 2006. It's a great spot for reading, studying, and community events!
