Howard droker, author of the book lake unions unsinkable houseboats tells how houseboat communities went from being havens for the homeless to some of the most picturesque and expensive. May 01, 2005 this book focuses on the stories of the people who live aboard floating houses very few boats on lake union in seattle. Seattle houseboats seattle floating homes houseboats for. A short history of shasta lake august 4, 2017 posted under. Outdoor writers association 2011 only way to see shastawith comforts of home june 1, 2011. This floating home in washington has some serious perksnamely, a setting that puts its lucky residents level with the smooth waters of seattles lake union. The project team noted that several history books have been published about. Internet, children welcome, parking, no smoking, heater bedrooms. The inventory has depleted itself again so bringing this gorgeous seattle houseboat on is really exciting for us. Its just a stones throw from mohai and the center for wooden boats.
Brand new construction seattle floating home on lake union. The newest chapter of the lake union virtual museum tell the story of one the lakes most charming features. Molly and i have four seattle floating homes in escrow right now and there are a few others beyond that which are pending in the mls. The projects focus is the history and development of lake unions shoreline, from the perspective of the water, including stories of ship yards, houseboats, bridges, industrial sites, the natural environment, and other unique and distinctive aspects of this area. Seattles historic houseboats by peter blecha, august 12, 2010. Seattle houseboats and seattle floating homes for sale are the ultimate in seattle living and we are the seattle houseboats experts houseboats offer a unique form of seattle waterfront living like none other. Lake union has it all and its right downtown in seattle. Dec 06, 2019 welcome to the 2420 cooperative seattle floating homes dock. Its easternmost point is the ship canal bridge, which carries interstate 5 over the eastern arm of the lake and separates lake union from portage bay.
There is no need to have any experience of houseboating, as the marina staff will explain how to navigate the boat and even assist with getting you safely out of the marina and out to explore the lake. Lake union oral history project jack straw cultural center. Learn about their origins as a refuge for the homeless, and how the city spent much of the 20th century trying to get rid of them. Modern houseboat on lake union houseboats for rent in. The popularity of seattle houseboats is significantly increasing, leading some marinas to ban them. Courtesy mohai pi20441 seattle city light hydro house on lake union daniel huntington, 1912, ca. Lake powell houseboats can be rented for three days or longer.
Voted as a top 10 coolest airbnb rental in seattle by curbed magazine. It sure likes like a nice lifestyle to be right on the water like that. May 27, 2015 their legacy, says helen, will only remain in books. But as time marches on, the history books remind us of a time when you could see. Movies books music theater classical music tvstreaming comics.
Its a true home, with a beautiful interior and ample space indoor and out for yearround habitation the outside is gorgeous enough, of course, painted. Houseboats move slowly at no more than 10 mph, and mooring them up takes time. Floating homes are one of the truly unique habitats in which to live. Seattle houseboats moving fast life afloat on lake union.
Aug 22, 2017 there has been a very long history of back and forth between the city and state and any floating homes on the water so as a houseboats owner, you should definitely purchase securely by purchasing a home with an owned slip on the lake. This large, recreational lake is great for renting an electric boat, kayaking and admiring the seattle skyline. Please admire and learn about seattle floating homes or. My houseboat includes an amazing location, a beautiful interior, a kayak to explore lake union, and much more. About 1,200 houseboats were moored in lake union, portage bay, and the ship canal in 1957. Lake powell americas best houseboating destination. Floating homes arent boats although they are often affectionately referred to as houseboats.
The projects focus is the history and development of lake unions shoreline, from. Lou reed left a letter in the guestbook after his stay of one of the houseboats called buckingham palace, saying the floating hotel had. Above, the chairman of the houseboat association, mr azim tuman, looks out across nageen lake from his boat, the mascot. The elaborate, architectdesigned floating homes that you see today didnt come onto the scene until the last 40 years, when the lake union houseboats first became sanctioned in the eyes of the city. Its a perfect spot to relax or host others and enjoy a meal or a drink while taking in the scenery. Seattle floating homes are a living and evolving part of seattles history from their humble beginnings over a hundred years ago as floating shanties compiled. A little dirt on seattle houseboats history you may not know. Feb 09, 2009 howard droker, author of the book lake union s unsinkable houseboats tells how houseboat communities went from being havens for the homeless to some of the most picturesque and expensive. Imagine all the comforts of homecomfy beds, great living space, a fully appointed kitchen and a solid sound systemon your private houseboat, surrounded by lake powells breathtaking scenery.
Its a true home, with a beautiful interior and ample space indoor and out for yearround habitation. The lake is huge, and you would not likely see it all even in a lifetime, so no reason to have to share your favourite beach with anyone if you prefer solitude. Lake union is a freshwater lake entirely within the seattle, washington city limits and a major portion of the lake washington ship canal. Drydocking vessels up to 6000 tons 420 in length, lake union drydock company repairs factory trawlers, fishing vessels, coast guard cutters and buoy tenders, tugboats, research vessels, ferries, megayachts, barges, and houseboats. Houseboats, living on the water around the world by mark gabor ballantine booksnew york 1979. The wagner houseboat, also known as the old boathouse is a historic floating home in seattle, washington, united states. Hike lake union for bridges, boats, parks and a troll parentmap. Here we could have passed several hours touring the museum of history and industry mohai, the center for wooden boats, northwest seaport, steamship virginia v and generally enjoying the park. Houseboats no comments most people will see a body of water without giving any thought as to how it was created or how it has been used by the local population. Hike lake union for bridges, boats, parks and a troll. Seattles floating home history floating homes association.
New houseboat development on lake union is buoyed by. I love walking around the lake and eating at the many great restaurants. Little has been shared about this intimate and unique community that is characterized by eclectic architecture, diverse individuals, and a strong sense of community. From the lake union side, the views overlook downtown. We can help you with all seattle houseboats for sale including vessels, barges, and seattle floating homes for sale right now you can find all seattle. Lake powell americas best houseboating destination lake. But this property isnt your runofthemill cramped houseboat. Lots about their history, a little about what its like to live aboard a boat, but not very useful to someone like myself interesting in what its like to live aboard a boat a houseboat is more like a little house. Portland, oregon also has many houseboats along both the willamette river and the columbia river, with the neighborhood of hayden island as a prominent example. Most houseboats are designed and built for inland lakes and waterways only. Parking is plentiful in this section of town and you have the added benefit of being a hop and skip away from south lake union and downtown seattle.
Here are a few of the areas most stunning features, all within 30 miles 48. This book explores the community history of floating homes in seattle, tales. Lake union is a wonderful urban waterfront lifestyle. The first houseboats on lake union in the early 1900s were floating shanties for workers at the lakes various industries. Watermark press 1977, it may be difficult to find but worth the effort staying afloat. Seattle has one of the largest communities of modern floating homes in the world. This book focuses on the stories of the people who live aboard floating houses very few boats on lake union in seattle. A little dirt on seattle houseboats history you may not. Floating homes on lake unions westlake neighborhood and beyond. Easily walk to lake union, the houseboats and restaurantscafes.
The house is only a block away from the water and minutes away from the amazon campus, downtown seattle, capitol hill and the uw. Jun 11, 2017 lake union has it all and its right downtown in seattle. Seattle houseboats seattle houseboats in lake union and. There is a pretty good mix of seattle houseboats on the market right now including lake union seattle floating homes in eastlake, westlake, and portage bay, and housebarges, and other floating on water residences such as registered liveaboard vessels in westlake and northlake. Lake union, our charming, chaotic and calming jewel, is full of. For her impact on the preservation of maritime history, colleen was awarded with the association of king county. Comfortable, cozy, newly renovated 1 bedroom basement studio with its own private entrance and bathroom. Feb 02, 2009 the newest chapter of the lake union virtual museum tell the story of one the lakes most charming features. The projects focus is the history and development of lake union s shoreline, from the perspective of the water, including stories of ship yards, houseboats, bridges, industrial sites, the natural environment, and other unique and distinctive aspects of this area.
Droker takes us back to the early years of the 20th century, when. While sailing around lake union i recently snapped some shots of my favorite houseboats. Molly has this houseboat open today from 111pm to 1pm. We can help you with all seattle houseboats for sale including vessels, barges, and seattle floating homes for sale right. A good number of houseboats live on the lake in this area mixing the dwelling selection even more.
It is the primary location for seattles internationally famous floating homes and houseboats, which line the shores of the lake and provide moorage for close knit and friendly communities of people who share a love for not just waterfront, but water below. Sarah jio s family rented a houseboat on lake union in seattle when she was writing. The history of houseboating in seattle vrbo book your. Lake union is the namesake of the neighborhoods located on its east and west shores.
Lake union drydock company is a fullservice shipyard that specializes in vessel repair and conversions located in seattle, washington. As of 2010, there were about 480 floating homes on lake union and a lesser number elsewhere in the city. Lake union houseboats 8 photos posted on september 12, 2011 september 12, 2011 by andy. Many changes have swept through eastlake, since its beginnings in the 1890s. Modern houseboat on lake union westlake, seattle, washington. The houseboat book by barbara flanagan release date. Seattles floating home history seattle floating homes. We have completed the rooftop deck that adds amazing views. You can learn more on the components that make up our unique lifestyle by viewing these videos from the lake union virtual museum.
Post world war ii, the houseboats began attracting writers, artists, musicians, and students. Spectacular seattle houseboat, lake union living seamarie a spectacular seattlehouseboat seattlehouseboat the water lodge. There has been a very long history of back and forth between the city and state and any floating homes on the water so as a houseboats owner, you should definitely purchase securely by purchasing a home with an owned slip on the lake. It is located on lake union at 2770 westlake avenue north near the aurora. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
Barbara flanagan, a writer and designer, trained as an architect at yale. Welcome to the 2420 cooperative seattle floating homes dock. Exploring the natural landscape of south lake union. The inner marinas, however, such as lake union are full of houseboats with personality. Youll learn secrets on how to prepare, market, and how to successfully finalize the sale of your boat. Lake union the history of lake union so named by pioneer thomas mercer 181898 in 1854 includes the many decades when it was ringed by loud and dirty lumber. Lake union seattle 2020 all you need to know before. Lake union seattle floating homes for sale come in many shapes and sizes both historical and newer. The new south lake union park is open and easily accessible from downtown by streetcar.
After about four miles of walking, we reached lake union park at 860 terry ave. On the trail cheshiahud lake union loop suggested route 6mile loop with 100 feet of elevation gain. New houseboat development on lake union is buoyed by demand. Lake union the history of lake union so named by pioneer thomas mercer 181898 in 1854 includes the many decades when it was ringed by loud and dirty lumber mills, a chemical plant, a tannery, a varnish manufacturer, an asphalt plant, an asbestos factory, the seattle gas companys 1906 coalgasification facility at todays gas works. Fyi, theres often a bit of noise from the upstairs footsteps, dog noise parking can be tricky in our neighborhood, but you can usually find a spot within 12 blocks using our handy guest pass. Rent a whole home for your next weekend or holiday. Seattle houseboats is devoted to houseboats and floating homes on lake union in seattle, washington.
Howard droker, author of seattles unsinkable houseboats, talks about the history of houseboating on lake union. Lake union seattle 2020 all you need to know before you. Apr 11, 2017 this floating home in washington has some serious perksnamely, a setting that puts its lucky residents level with the smooth waters of seattles lake union. Howard droker, author of the definitive book on the subject, seattles unsinkable houseboats, hosts a five and a half minute mini documentary video on the first page. Some folks from connecticut in a rental electric boat, searching for the.
Each one of these is so very different, but it is important that. Part of the fun of tooling around the community is the mixture of high and low architecture and design. Kurtzer seaplane terminal, lake union, seattle, august 12, 1938. Today, the houseboats of lake union are among seattles most desirable homes and treasured landmarks. She is designing a progressive, hilo tech, offthegrid houseboat to be moored in north america. One can rent a boat at the wooden boat center and explore. Some feel that the houseboats can contribute to waterfront pollution, schools systems, and other public needs without paying taxes toward these.
The how to sell your houseboat ebook has the top10 selling tips that provides you with information and techniques used by many professionals around the world. Seattle houseboats seattle floating homes houseboats. Mohai is right on the south end of the lake and gasworks park is on the north end. Seattle houseboats require special attention when it comes to financing, taxes, insurance, and more we are seattle houseboats realtors and we are experts when it comes to all things afloat in lake union and portage bay. The houseboats of the 1920s are the classics, characterized by their rounded sprung roofs and built with the craftsmanship of the. Rules of the road often are rewritten on the fly on lake union, where the mix of. Walk from mohai museum of history and industry, over the fremont bridge, past gas works park, over university bridge, past houseboat docks and the center for wooden boats, and back to end at mohai. And in that same year it was reported that one of the ayps many temporary structures, the hostess house, was purchased by an enterprising individual who hauled it from the fairgrounds, converted it to a houseboat, and floated it on lake union where by 1914 there were a couple hundred houseboats. There was a time when these floating hotels that have rested on the lakes of kashmir since the 1800s, were host to movie stars, artists, writers, famous musicians and wealthy western travellers searching for inspiration and tranquility. Isbn 0345273125, isbn 0345281179, library of congress catalog card. Westlake cove a wonderful dock in the north portion of westlake at the base of queen anne and just footsteps from fremont. This wonderful, unique community lies in the heart of seattle near the communities of wallingford, fremont, ballard, and the university of washington. Whether youre an active traveler or just want to appreciate the scenery, south lake union is a great place to get out in nature.
Jan 03, 2004 the houseboat book flanagan, barbara, garn, andrew on. Cruise the beautiful waters mother nature has given us. You should always start with the float on a seattle floating home, but most people start with the house itself to make sure it checks all the seattle houseboats boxes. Life aboard houseboats, barges, and liveaboards b y jeri callahan. Layers of lake union views in this gas works park houseboat this home in the fremont and wallingford area has two bedrooms, one bathroom, and views of the lake from every floor. Seattle houseboats seattle houseboats on lake union. Seattle s floating homes community began as a population of unregulated and inexpensive industrial houses in the late 1800s, yet it has evolved to become some of the most soughtafter real estate in seattle today. Lake union floating homes and other seattle houseboats are formed on docks that are preferably fee simple. The history of lake union so named by pioneer thomas mercer 181898 in 1854 includes the many decades when it was ringed by loud. Lake washington houseboats took a hit in 1916, when the lake was lowered nine feet, to make it level with lake union. It doesnt hurt that its literally floating on top of lake union. Houseboating getaways on beautiful lake shasta september 20. Houseboats are indeed abundant along much of the shoreline of the citys sprawling freshwater lake though the neighborhoods in which youll find them hold an appeal of their own.
Choose from more than 500 properties, ideal house rentals for families, groups and couples. From a distance, lake union floating homes on appear as doll houses set upon a table of glass. Houseboat books with tips, guides, and info on house boats. That was done to build the lake washington ship canal in 1917. When you first start your search for houseboat rentals in seattle, youll notice that many boats are listed as being moored on lake union. Seattle houseboats require special attention when it comes to financing, taxes. Houseboat history lake union virtual museum project. Dig deep into history books to discover that at one time, this neighborhood was a forest. Houseboats on lake of the woods houseboat adventures inc. Seattle houseboats real estate lake union floating homes.