Fort Lawton, Discovery Park, Seattle, King County, WA

Significance: Fort Lawton, Washington, Seattle's only army post, was carved out of a dense conifer forest on Magnolia Bluff in 1898-1900. Spurred on by their chamber of commerce, Seattle citizens donated some seven hundred acres of prime land for the post, in the hope of improving their local economy. In its early years, Fort Lawton remained modest in size and influence, occupied by a small garrison of infantry soldiers. During World War II, the post became the second largest point of embarkation for troops on the West Coast. Architecturally, Fort Lawton reflects military interpretations of turn-of-the-century American architectural styles. The frame buildings at Fort Lawton are based on standard quartermaster general plans and suggest influences of the shingle style, Georgian revival, and Jeffersonian classicism. The historic core of the post includes twenty-five pre-1910 buildings situated around an oval parade ground. The sensitive lay-out of structures, open space and drives around the post takes full advantage of the site's spectacular views. After seventy-five years of military use, a large portion of Fort Lawton was transferred to the City of Seattle in the 1970s for the creation of a public park.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-36, FN-37
Survey number: HABS WA-150
Building/structure dates: 1899 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: 1904 Subsequent Work