Seattle's Green Lake

photo from Arcadia Publishing

Book Description:
Discovered in 1855, Green Lake has been an essential feature within Seattle’s distinctive juxtaposition of landscape architecture and urban expansion, providing recreation and community focus for the last 150 years. Named after the persistent algae bloom that still occurs, the lake is a valuable natural landmark at the center of a neighborhood in transition, and its past is threaded with tenacious organizations and ambitious individuals. From its first homesteader, Erhart “Green Lake John” Saifried, to the vision of the Olmsted brothers, from Guy Phinney’s menagerie to the triumph and tragedy of Helene Madison, from ice-skating to the Aqua Follies, this broad collection of vintage images illustrates a bygone era and provides a unique perspective on community values and ecological struggle.

Author Bio: In this new volume, author and resident Brittany Wright has culled more than 200 historic and rarely seen images from the archives of the University of Washington and the Museum of History and Industry, as well as from private local collections. Together these images and the informative text that accompanies them pay tribute to a singular neighborhood in the heart of the city.

Brittany is a pal of ours. Despite that, she's worked hard and put together this lovely little book about one of Seattle's jewels. It's hot off the presses, and our Ballard readers can pick up a copy at Epilogue Books (2001 NW Market St.) Come Monday the 19th at 6:30 pm and you can meet her own charming self in person. She'll even autograph your copy!