Fort Lawton (Discovery Park)
Developed in the late 1890s and opened in the early 1900s, Fort Lawton was utilized by the U.S. military in World War I, World War II (when it became a major point of embarkation of soldiers and material to the Pacific Theater), and the Korean War before being given to the City of Seattle in the 1970s. Long before it was a military base, however, the lands were active meeting places for ancestors of the Duwamish, Suquamish, Tulalip, and Muckleshoot nations, who gathered in this place for trading, sharing stories, and preparing food for at least 4,000 and up to 10,000 years—since the ending of the last glacial period. After the military began to decommission the base, the United Indians People’s Council made a claim on Fort Lawton under the 1865 U.S.-Indian treaties. Led by Bernie Whitebear (Sin Aikst), Bob Satiacum (Puyallup), and indigenous peoples of western Washington, 100+ Native Americans and supporters occupied areas of Fort Lawton until it was decided that a new park would be created for the greater public and the United Indians People’s Council would receive a 99-year lease for 20 acres of the surplus land to become a cultural center, now known as the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center. Today, Discovery Park is one of Seattle’s most popular recreation sites, with miles of trails, public shorefront, and the historic West Point Lighthouse. Many of the fort buildings remain standing as part of the Fort Lawton Historic District.
Website: seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/discovery-park
| Address | 734 Oregon Ave |
|---|---|
| City | Seattle |
| State | WA |
| Zip code | 98199 |