It's a town where conversation in coffee shops ends at 11 p.m., and then only under protest. Kirkland is a town for all people with ample housing options and civic services, active community programs, convenient shopping, great schools and exciting entertainment. Businesses in Kirkland have the best of both worlds - easy access to major transportation routes, desirable office space and internationally known business partners. In Kirkland you will find an emphasis on the arts, education, business development, natural resources and quality of life. These values are the pride of the community that many work to enhance.
Civic groups flourish here, and volunteerism powers community programs and efforts.
Whether your stay is overnight or for a lifetime, welcome to Kirkland. The city of Kirkland was named after British-born steel tycoon Peter Kirk who came to the Northwest in the 1880's seeking new business opportunities. In 1888, Kirk and several Seattle partners formed Moss Bay Iron and Steel Works, hoping to tap the rich mineral resources of the Cascade Mountains. When the stock market crashed in 1893, the mill closed without ever producing any steel. The most successful early industries in Kirkland were wool milling and shipbuilding.