Magnolia

Perched above the Puget Sound, with views of the city lights twinkling softly to the south, is Seattle’s Magnolia Neighborhood. Its popularity is no accident. Its name, however, is. From his vantage point at sea, Captain George Vancouver, an eighteenth century officer of the British Royal Navy, mistook the majestic Madrona trees dotting the shoreline cliffs for Magnolias in his ship log. The name stuck.

Accident or no, today Magnolia is one of Seattle’s most scenic neighborhoods. Resting on a hill just north of downtown and south of the Ballard Locks, Magnolia has a an almost island-like feel—a sanctuary within the urban setting. Adding to Magnolia’s natural beauty is the majestic Discovery Park—a sprawling 534-acre refuge that is one of the city’s largest nature areas. The park is also home to Fort Lawton, and the West Point lighthouse, built in 1881.

On the south side of Magnolia is the cozily vibrant small business district known as The Village. The Village is the social hub of the neighborhood, and offers a rich variety of local eateries and shops including the award winning European-style Serendipity Café, owned and operated by two local Magnolia Moms.

Bordering The Village is the expansive Magnolia Community Center, home to the outdoor Mounger Pool, and a community preschool program for 3-5 year olds. Another of Magnolia’s educational gems is the Catherine Blaine public K-8 School. Catherine Blaine boasts a unique National Science Foundation developed inquiry based science curriculum, and a variety of extra-curricular activities ranging from chess, to skiing, to unicycle. The highly rated Lawton Elementary is also in the neighborhood and specializing in inclusion-model special-education programs, and a designated Spectrum program for gifted students.

Truly, Magnolia caters to all interests. Arts and culture fans look forward to the annual Magnolia Summerfest Celebration—a July festival of arts and crafts, parades and outdoor movies, and recreation enthusiasts citywide flock to Magnolia for its state-of-the-art Vertical World climbing gym.

A one-stop destination for outdoor tranquility, unique local business, and a vibrant sense of community—Magnolia has it all.