The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-01-01
sEATrLE's LAKES.

THEIR EAAL lkAE MAIL A-NF A7aA +-Rt
AScE TO THE FUTURE METROPOLIS.
Seattle's position Is. on the whole,
unique. There are few places in the
country so completely surrounded
with water, half being salt and half
fresh. The entire eastern front OF the
city Is bathed by the pure waters OF
Lake Washington, the length of which
is 30 miles, while between this and the
Sound and on the northern edge OF
the city lies Lake Union. The latter
Is a sheet OF water perhaps mile and
a half long from north TO south and
halt mile wide from east 10 west.
The banks rise gradually from lis
shores in all directions, and from the
northern end long arms extend, one
toward the Sound and the other
toward Lake Washington. Between
the northwest arm and Salmon hay an
inlet from the sound, the intervening
distance is insignificant, and already In
anticipation, and as a forerunner OF
what will eventually come, a small
canal has been constructed between
the two. so that at the present time
there Is passage for logs and small
craft from salt water To fresh and vice
versa The northeastern arm OF Lake
Union extends to within garter OF
mile of Washington, and between
these two a second small canal has
been constructed, 50 that the waters
OF the great lake,
A VERfrAsLE INLAND HARBoR,
Now flow into the Sound The dis
lance between the two is about half
mile. and the height OF the waters
OF Lake Washington above those OF
the Sound - feet. Thus, with the
construction OF a short ship canal, free
and easy navigation viii be offered TO
sea-goiug vessels and opportunity al
farsied them to east anchor in fresh
water free from teredo and barnacle.
The importance OF the lakes IS not
vet fully appreciated, and not until the
government has seen tit 20 lend is aid
for the construction Of the canal and
free communication between lakes
and Sound Is an actual fact. will the
people begin 70 rightly estimate the
value Of these great fresh-water har-
borS. along which. owing 20 adjacent
railroad, facilities an ss-ss sssssssasasssrI
c4tion With the -, bu<y n,assufar>ur~
ine communities are certain 10 spring
up and fsn1zb. A present much q
TIC Iana washed ~ the lake
e heavily timberei. but . con-
siderable ansoznt has be<n cteared and
'rNfsfvsteI WHY reI58rEihle success.
Fruits thrive and are produced in great
quantities. while the soil seems partic-
ularly adapted 10 the growth Of all
sorts Of hardy vegetables.
NATURAL scFNIc ATTRACTIONS.
For beauty and picturesqueness,
Lake Washington is almost un
equalled. Her clear, bright waters
stretch out for miles amidst forest
covered banks. the monotony OF which
Is broken up By pretty BAYS and inlets
ON tie shores OF which nestle sttrac-
tive fruit farms. Al a distance the
scenery i magnificent. mountains MS
ing TO the north, east and south. the
Cascade range, ending with grand old
Rainier which seems 70 rise from the
very waters OF the lake, At It's southern
end. In addition IL the original farm
houses built on the lake, are many
modern cottages recently erected By
those citizens who fancy the lake shore
IS a suitable place for the building OF
summer homes. These viii. no doubt,
multiply and the place become 4
favorite resort Two or three new
steamboats, are nov building which
viii be devoted 90 regular passenger
and excursion travel on the lake. The
canoe club proposes to erect club
house on It's shores. - that il Is not
unlikely TO become the headquarters
for all aquatic sports and pAstimes IN
the immediate vicinity