Magnolia

History

The Magnolia peninsula was once part of the Duwamish tribe’s territory, but after the completion of the Hiram Chittenden Locks in 1916, native residents all but vanished. Early settler Henry Smith bought land near what is now Smith Cove on Elliott Bay, and when the Great Northern Railway came to Seattle in 1893 his shipping docks served as a port for trade with Asia. Today the area is part of the Port of Seattle. Magnolia’s Fort Lawton, in current day Discovery Park, housed 20,000 U.S. Army troops during World War II.

Fishermen’s Terminal with Magnolia in background – March 1954

Points of Interest

Magnolia Village, which runs along West McGraw Street and 34th Avenue West, is the commercial core of the neighborhood, offering coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, schools, parks, and the Magnolia Community Center. Moreover, Discovery Park covers 534 acres on the northwest corner of Magnolia.  The park is home to Daybreak Star, a Native American cultural center, as well as the picturesque Victorian-era West Point Lighthouse.  Consequently, Discovery Park and its hiking trails, beaches, and dramatic views of Puget Sound draw visitors from around the city.  Finally, Fisherman’s Terminal on the edge of Magnolia and Interbay neighborhoods is a great place to dine while watching the fishing vessels.