Location: Magnolia
Address: 23rd Ave. W. and W. Marina Pl.
Acreage: 7.3
Smith Cove, where Magnolia and Queen Anne meet at the south end of Interbay, is full of interesting history.
First settled by Dr. Henry A. Smith in 1852, one of Seattle’s first white settlers, this land has served many purposes over the past 150 years. According to the Port of Seattle’s records which draw from several sources, Smith Cove was the western end of the transcontinental railroad in the late 1800s. It was also the launching point for the Pacific Coast’s first steamship service to Asia.
In 1934 a strike by longshoremen took place here, which caused intense fighting between workers and police. This became known as the Battle of Smith Cove and eventually resulted in Seattle losing much of its maritime traffic to Los Angeles.
The U.S. Navy tried to take over Smith Cove from the Port during World War II, but eventually decided to pay up and instead purchased land to use for various naval activities.
Today you probably won’t see any police battles or rogue takeovers, but you can sit and take in the scene because this spot is now the site of Smith Cove Park.
Part of the park is managed by the Port of Seattle and part is a recent acquisition by the city’s Parks Department. The city’s piece is apparently slated for some improvements, which will be nice as the park’s soccer fields look pretty sad right now.
The nicest spot to enjoy this park is on a bench with a great view of the waterfront and the giant fishing vessels that dock here now.
I can’t imagine a better place to have a picnic lunch and ponder Seattle’s colorful history.
#36 (Visited 10/8/09)