Cemeteries of Seattle

Images of America: Washington

by Robin Shannon

A fascinating story exists just below Seattle's surface, buried in the city's many historic cemeteries. Founded in 1872 on land acquired from Doc Maynard, Lake View Cemetery holds the remains of one of Seattle's favorite sons, Bruce Lee, whose son Brandon Lee is buried beside him. Maynard is also buried here, along with most of the Seattle pioneers, including the Dennys, Borens, Maynards, Yeslers, and Morans. Princess Angeline, Chief Sealth's daughter, was buried here in a canoe-shaped coffin, and Madame Damnable's remains supposedly turned to stone. Evergreen-Washelli Cemetery, founded in 1884 by the Denny family, contains Judge Thomas Burke, known as the man who built Seattle; a Veterans Memorial Cemetery dating from the Civil War; and two cannons from the USS Constitution, famously nicknamed Old Ironsides. Mount Pleasant Cemetery, founded in 1883 in Queen Anne, is the final resting place of the labor martyrs of the Everett Massacre and William Bell, of Belltown fame. Remembrance benches for Nirvana's Kurt Cobain and Jimi Hendrix's memorial are also local landmarks.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Photography

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 16, 2007

Reviews

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite Images of America book, but still a good one.

It kind of tripped me up sometimes... you're used to reading a book of historical photographs and perhaps seeing "Here's how the thing was, and here's how it is now" -- in other words, then and now, oldest then newest, etc. With these, though, since the focus was on the cemetery (cemetery, headstone, memorial, whatever), it would be the now/newest ("Here's his headstone") and THEN the then/oldest ("Here's who he was when he was alive."). It would confuse me! :)

[Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic bits of the history of Seattle's early pioneers, founding families, and notable citizens. A great read for history buffs and taphophiles alike.

[Loren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good addition to the Images of America graveyard books. As is typical, the text is circular and no doubt leaves much out, but if it inspires a true guide (with color pictures!) to Seattle's Lake View Cemetery, then it will have done its job. It did guide my own visits to the graves of Jimi Hendrix and Bruce Lee, despite the typo in the listing of Hendrix's final resting place. Lucky for me, there is no Evergreen Cemetery in Renton, Washington.

[Edna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did anyone edit this book? The only thing good about it are the archived photos - that's it. Because I am familiar with, and live very close to Lakeview Cemetery, I almost took it personally everytime I read a caption (which is the only text). The captions are repetitive, boring, and contain inconsistent spelling. I could barely finish the short book! UGH.

[Barbara V. Vaughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

History and Photos

This book a way to stroll or a rush through of the history of Seattle. Concise bios, photos and graves of the founding families of Seattle are stuffed with information. A surprising and interesting side tour includes: Bruce Lee, Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain. This volume is a quick read and a great choice.

[Teresa Tallman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was very informative. I could envision myself in Seattle's past. It tied the present and the past together. It is very professionally written and a quick read. I thoroughly enjoyed it.