page_title: Lake Union
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Lake Union / History
caption_attribution_description: English: Handwritten on mount: North Seattle and Lake Union 1883 . Printed on mount: Theo. E. Peiser, 613 1/2 Front Street (up stairs) . 10022 Subjects (LCTGM): Neighborhoods--Washington (State)--Seattle; Residential streets--Washington (State)--Seattle; Dwellings--Washington (State)--Seattle; Cityscape photographs; Cityscapes
context_page_description: Lake Union is a freshwater lake located entirely within the city limits of Seattle, Washington, United States. It is a major part of the Lake Washington Ship Canal. The easternmost point of the lake is the Ship Canal Bridge, which carries Interstate 5 over the eastern arm of the lake and separates Lake Union from Portage Bay. Lake Union is the namesake of the neighborhoods located on its east and west shores: Eastlake and Westlake respectively. The northern shore of the lake is home to Gas Works Park. Notable features of the southern area of the lake—collectively known as the South Lake Union district—include Lake Union Park, Museum of History & Industry, and the Center for Wooden Boats.
  The George Washington Memorial Bridge carries State Route 99 over the western arm of Lake Union. The Aurora Bridge is so named because it carries Aurora Ave N down the western side of the lake. Lake Union's westernmost point can be considered the Fremont Cut, which is located just west of the Aurora Bridge and is spanned by the Fremont Bridge.
context_section_description: A glacial lake, its basin was dug 12,000 years ago by the Vashon glacier, which also created Lake Washington and Seattle's Green, Bitter, and Haller Lakes.
caption: Residential area near by Lake Union in 1883
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