The 'Coney Island' of Lake Washington
A speculative real estate pitch for East Seattle promises dancing, boat houses, and a 10-cent excursion to turn the lake into a premier leisure destination.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The Garden Spot of Puget Sound. The Coney Island of the Great West. The home of the merchants, manufacturers, professional, and business men of Seattle. The day pleasure resort of the entire sound. Cicero Heights, adjoining and overlooking the entire lake and surrounding country. Calkins' Grove, the most beautiful spot on the lake, which is being thoroughly cleared. Walks are being laid out: a shaded path the entire length of the island; dancing pavilions, boat houses, rustic seats, tables, swings, and numerous other amusements are now being constructed for the benefit of the pleasure-seeking public. We have advised everybody to look over the grounds at East Seattle, and hear from every side the most flattering and gratifying verdicts from people who have gone there. All are desirous of purchasing a home, and have our assurance that when this property is put on the market, everybody will have a fair and equal opportunity to buy at the most reasonable and liberal terms. We propose to devote our entire time and efforts to the improvement of this property, and shall spare no money to make it all we claim. We shall make excursion trips commencing Sunday, March 17, leaving the Cable Company's wharves at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m., for Cicero Heights and Calkins' Grove. Round trip only 10 cents.
“The Coney Island of the Great West. The home of the merchants, manufacturers, professional, and business men of Seattle.”
This 1889 advertisement highlights the beginning of Seattle’s obsession with converting natural waterfronts into high-end leisure destinations. Today, the tension between public access, luxury development, and the 'Coney Island' vision of Lake Washington remains a central theme in local politics.
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