Fort Lawton Landmark District
Fort Lawton originally occupied much of Seattle's Magnolia Bluff, which offers a commanding view of the entrance to Elliott Bay and Puget Sound.
Fort Lawton originally occupied much of Seattle's Magnolia Bluff, which offers a commanding view of the entrance to Elliott Bay and Puget Sound. The bluff itself was named by Lt. George Davidson in 1857 during a U.S. Coastal Survey on the mistaken identification of its red-barked madrona trees as magnolias.
In 1896, the Secretary of War selected the site for construction of an artillery battery intended to defend Seattle and the south Sound from naval attack. The following year, local citizens and governments donated 703 acres land to the United States Army for the installation.
The Army officially named Fort Lawton in 1900 to honor Major General Henry Ware Lawton, a veteran of Civil War, Indian, and Spanish-American campaigns who had died in the Philippines the previous year. The base was converted to infantry use in 1902, and landscape architect John C. Olmsted prepared a new master plan in 1910 for housing officers and enlisted men.
The fort saw active duty as a staging center and prisoner of war camp during World War II, and was equipped with anti-aircraft missiles and radar in the 1950s. After rejecting the site for a proposed anti-ballistic missile defense system in 1968, the Army decided to surplus most of the base and offered 534 acres to the City of Seattle for park use under a new law sponsored by U.S. Senator Henry M. Jackson.
Native American tribes asserted treaty rights to the original land but settled with the city for a portion as the site for Daybreak Star Center (completed in 1977). In 1973, Senator Jackson dedicated the tract as Discovery Park in honor of the British sloop HMS Discovery commanded by Captain George Vancouver during the first European exploration of Puget Sound in 1792.
The city decided to preserve most of the park as open space and nature reserves in 1974, and the appropriate intensity of public use remains a subject of debate. The best preserved collection of early Fort Lawton buildings was declared a landmark district in 1988.
Rules and Regulations
Public Comment
Submit Public Comment to the Landmarks Preservation Board
2021 Landmarks Preservation Board Agendas and Minutes
2021 Meeting Schedule | 2021 ARC Meeting Schedule
January 6, 2021 In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
January 15, 2021 ARC Agenda In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
January 20, 2021 Agenda In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
January 29, 2021 ARC Cancelled
February 3, 2021 Agenda In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
February 12, 2021 ARC Agenda In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
February 17, 2021 Agenda In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
February 26, 2021 ARC Agenda In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
March 3, 2021 Agenda In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
March 12, 2021 ARC Agenda In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
March 17, 2021 Agenda In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
April 2, 2021 ARC Agenda In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
April 7, 2021 Agenda In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
April 16, 2021 ARC Agenda In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
April 21, 2021 Agenda In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
April 30, 2021 ARC Agenda In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
May 5, 2021 Agenda In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
May 14, 2021 ARC Agenda In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
2020 Landmarks Preservation Board Agendas and Minutes
2020 Meeting Schedule | 2020 ARC Meeting Schedule
January 15, 2020 | January 15, 2020 Minutes
February 5, 2020 Agenda | February 5, 2020 Minutes
February 19, 2020 Agenda | February 19, 2020 Minutes
March 4, 2020 Agenda | March 4, 2020 Minutes
March 13, 2020 ARC Cancellation
March 18, 2020 - CANCELLED
April 1, 2020 - CANCELLED
April 10, 2020 ARC - CANCELED
April 15, 2020 - CANCELLED
May 1, 2020 ARC - CANCELLED
May 6, 2020 - CANCELLED
May 15, 2020 ARC - CANCELLED
May 20, 2020 - CANCELLED
May 29, 2020 ARC - CANCELLED
June 3, 2020 - CANCELLED
June 12, 2020 ARC - CANCELLED
June 17, 2020 ARC - CANCELLED
June 26, 2020 ARC - CANCELLED
July 1, 2020 Agenda
July 10, 2020 ARC - CANCELLED
July 15, 2020 Agenda
July 31, 2020 ARC - CANCELLED
August 5, 2020 Agenda | August 5, 2020 Minutes
August 14, 2020 ARC Cancelled
August 19, 2020 Agenda | August 19, 2020 Minutes
August 28, 2020 ARC Agenda: In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
September 2, 2020 Agenda | September 2, 2020 Minutes In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
September 11, 2020 ARC Agenda: In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
September 16, 2020 Agenda | September 16, 2020 Minutes In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
October 2, 2020 ARC Agenda: In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
October 7, 2020 Agenda: | October 7, 2020 Minutes In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
October 16, 2020 ARC Agenda: In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
October 21, 2020 Agenda | October 21, 2020 Minutes In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
October 30, 2020 ARC Agenda: In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
November 4, 2020 Agenda | November 4, 2020 Minutes In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
November 13, 2020 ARC Agenda: In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
November 18, 2020 Agenda | November 18, 2020 Minutes In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
December 2, 2020 Agenda December 2, 2020 Minutes In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
December 11,2020 ARC Agenda In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
December 16,2020 Agenda In-person attendance is currently prohibited per Washington State Governor's Proclamation No. 20-28.5. Meeting participation is limited to access by the WebEx meeting link or the telephone call-in line provided on agenda.
2019 Landmarks Preservation Board Agendas and Minutes
2019 Meeting Schedule | 2019 ARC Meeting Schedule
January 2, 2019 Agenda | January 2, 2019 Minutes
January 16, 2019 Agenda |January 16, 2019 Minutes
February 6, 2019 Agenda | February 6, 2019 Minutes
February 20, 2019 Agenda | February 20, 2019 Minutes
March 6, 2019 Agenda | March 6, 2019 Minutes
March 20, 2019 Agenda | March 20, 2019 Minutes
April 3, 2019 Agenda | April 3, 2019 Minutes
April 17, 2019 Agenda | April 17, 2019 Minutes
May 1, 2019 Agenda | May 1, 2019 Minutes
May 15, 2019 Agenda | May 15, 2019 Minutes
June 5, 2019 Agenda | June 5, 2019 Minutes
June 19, 2019 Agenda | June 19, 2019 Minutes
July 3, 2019 No Meeting
July 17, 2019 Agenda | July 17, 2019 Minutes
August 7, 2019 Agenda | August 7, 2019 Minutes
August 21, 2019 Agenda | August 21, 2019 Minutes
September 4, 2019 Agenda | September 4, 2019 Minutes
September 18, 2019 Agenda | September 18, 2019 Minutes
October 2, 2019 Agenda | October 2, 2019 Minutes
October 16, 2019 Agenda | October 16, 2019 Minutes
November 6, 2019 Agenda | November 6, 2019 Minutes
November 20, 2019 Agenda | November 20, 2019 Minutes
2018 Landmarks Preservation Board Agendas and Minutes
2018 Meeting Schedule | 2018 ARC Meeting Schedule
January 3, 2018 Agenda | January 3, 2018 Minutes
January 17, 2018 Agenda | January 17, Minutes
February 7, 2018 Agenda | February 7, 2018 Minutes
February 21, 2018 Agenda | February 21, 2018 Minutes
March 7, 2018 Agenda | March 7, 2018 Minutes
March 21, 2018 Agenda | March 21, 2018 Minutes
April 4, 2018 Agenda | April 4, 2018 Minutes
April 18, 2018 Agenda | April 18, 2018 Minutes
May 2, 2018 Agenda | May 2, 2018 Minutes
May 16, 2018 Agenda | May 16, 2018 Minutes
June 6, 2018 Agenda | June 6, 2018 Minutes
June 26, 2018 Agenda | June 26, 2018 Minutes
July 18, 2018 Agenda | July 18, 2018 Minutes
August 1, 2018 Agenda | August 1, 2018 Minutes
August 15, 2018 Agenda | August 15, 2018 Minutes
September 5, 2018 Agenda | September 5, 2018 Minutes
September 19, 2018 Agenda | September 19, 2018 Minutes
October 3, 2018 Agenda | October 3, 2018 Minutes
October 17, 2018 Agenda | October 17, 2018 Minutes
November 7, 2018 Agenda | November 7, 2018 Minutes
November 21, 2018 Agenda | November 21, 2018 Minutes
December 5, 2018 Agenda | December 5, 2018 Minutes
December 19, 2018 Agenda | December 19, 2018 Minutes
2017 Landmarks Preservation Board Agendas and Minutes
2017 Meeting Schedule | 2017 ARC Meeting Schedule
January 4, 2017 Agenda | January 4, 2017 Minutes
January 18, 2017 Agenda | January 18, 2017 Minutes
February 1, 2017 Agenda | February 1, 2017 Minutes
February 15, 2017 Agenda | February 15, 2017 Minutes
March 1, 2017 Agenda | March 1, 2017 Minutes
March 15, 2017 Agenda | March 15, 2017 Minutes
April 5, 2017 Agenda | April 5, 2017 Minutes
April 19, 2017 Agenda | April 19, 2017 Minutes
May 3, 2017 Agenda | May 3, 2017 Minutes
May 17, 2017 Agenda | May 17, 2017 Minutes
June 7, 2017 Agenda | June 7, 2017 Minutes
June 21, 2017 Agenda | June 21, 2017 Minutes
July 5, 2017 Agenda | July 5, 2017 Minutes
July 19, 2017 Agenda | July 19, 2017 Minutes
August 2, 2017 Agenda | August 2, 2017 Minutes
August 16, 2017 Agenda| August 16, 2017 Minutes
September 6, 2017 Agenda | September 6, 2017 Minutes
September 20, 2017 Agenda | September 20, 2017 Minutes
October 4, 2017 Agenda | October 4, 2017 Minutes
October 18, 2017 Agenda | October 18, 2017 Minutes
November 1, 2017 Agenda | November 1, 2017 Minutes
November 15, 2017 Agenda | November 15, 2017 Minutes
2016 Landmarks Preservation Board Agenda and Minutes
January 6, 2016 Agenda | January 6, 2016 Minutes
January 15, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee
January 20, 2016 Agenda | January 20, 2016 Minutes
January 29, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee
February 3, 2016 Agenda | February 3, 2016 Minutes
February 12, 2016 Agenda Archtiectural Review Committee
February 17, 2016 Agenda |February 17, 2016 Minutes
March 2, 2016 Agenda | March 2, 2016 Minutes
March 11, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee NOTE LOCATION CHANGE
March 16, 2016 Agenda | March 16, 2016 Minutes
March 25, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee
April 6, 2016 Agenda | April 6, 2016 Minutes
April 20, 2016 Agenda | April 20, 2016 Minutes
May 4, 2016 Agenda | May 4, 2016 Minutes
May 13, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee
May 18, 2016 Agenda | May 18, 2016 Minutes
May 27, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee
June 1, 2016 Agenda | June 1, 2016 Minutes
June 10, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee
June 15, 2016 Agenda | June 15, 2016 Minutes
June 24, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee NOTE LOCATION
July 6, 2016 Agenda | July 6, 2016 Minutes
July 20, 2016 Agenda | July 20, 2016 Minutes
July 29, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee
August 3, 2016 Agenda | August 3, 2016 Minutes
August 12, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee
August 17, 2016 Agenda | August 17, 2016 Minutes
September 2, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee
September 7, 2016 Agenda REVISED | September 7, 2016 Minutes
September 16, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee - Revised
September 21, 2016 Agenda | September 21, 2016 Minutes
September 30, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee NOTE LOCATION
October 5, 2016 Agenda | October 5, 2016 Minutes
October 14, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee
October 19, 2016 Agenda | October 19, 2016 Minutes
October 28, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee
November 8, 2016 Meeting Cancellation Notice
November 16, 2016 Agenda | November 16, 2016 Minutes
December 2, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee
December 7, 2016 Agenda | December 7, 2016 Minutes
December 16, 2016 Agenda Architectural Review Committee
2015 Landmarks Preservation Board Agendas and Minutes
January 7, 2015 Agenda | January 7, 2015 Minutes
January 21, 2015 Agenda | January 21, 2015 Minutes
February 5, 2015 Agenda | February 5, 2015 Minutes
February 18, 2015 Agenda | February 18, 2015 Minutes
March 4, 2015 Agenda | March 4, 2015 Minutes
March 18, 2015 Agenda | March 18, 2015 Minutes
April 1, 2015 Agenda | April 1, 2015 Minutes
April 10, 2015 Agenda - Architectural Review Committee
April 15, 2015 Agenda | April 15, 2015 Minutes
May 1, 2015 Agenda - Architectural Review Committee
May 6, 2015 Agenda | May 6, 2015 Minutes
May 20, 2015 Agenda | May 20, 2015 Minutes
May 29, 2015 Agenda - Architectural Review Committee
June 3, 2015 Agenda | June 3, 2015 Minutes
June 12, 2015 Agenda - Architectural Review Committee
June 17, 2015 Agenda | June 17, 2015 Minutes
June 26, 2015 Agenda - Architectural Review Committee
July 1, 2015 Agenda | July 1, 2015 Minutes
July 15, 2015 Agenda | July 15, 2015 Minutes
July 31, 2015 Agenda | Architectural Review Committee
August 5, 2015 Agenda | August 5, 2015 Minutes
August 14, 2015 Agenda | Architectural Review Committee
August 19, 2015 Agenda | August 19, 2015 Minutes
August 28, 2015 Agenda | Architectural Review Committee
September 2, 2015 Agenda | September 2, 2015 Minutes
September 11, 2015 Agenda | Architectural Review Committee
September 16, 2015 Agenda | September 16, 2015 Minutes
October 2, 2015 Agenda | Architectural Review Committee
October 7, 2015 Agenda | October 7, 2015 Minutes
October 16, 2015 Agenda | Architectural Review Committee
October 21, 2015 Agenda | October 21, 2015 Minutes
October 30, 2015 Agenda | Architectural Review Committee
November 4, 2015 Agenda | November 4, 2015 Minutes
November 13, 2015 Agenda | Architectural Review Committee
November 18, 2015 Agenda | November 18, 2015 Minutes
December 2, 2015 Agenda | December 2, 2015 Minutes
December 11, 2015 Agenda | Architectural Review Committee
December 16, 2015 Agenda | December 16, 2015 Minutes
2014 Landmark Preservation Board Agendas and Minutes
November 5, 2014 Agenda | November 5, 2014 Minutes
November 19, 2014 Agenda | November 19, 2014 Minutes
December 3, 2014 Agenda | December 3, 2014 Minutes
December 17, 2014 Agenda | December 17, 2014 Minutes
» Archived Landmarks Preservation Board Agendas and Minutes
A Certificate of Approval must be issued before changes can be made to individually designated City Landmarks or to properties within the City's eight historic districts.
Refer to the District Guidelines and other relevant resources for information regarding design standards and other considerations.
Please consult the Guide to Acing the Certificate of Approval Process before starting the online application process. For help with the online submittal, watch this How-To video.
The following changes require that the Board issue a Certificate of Approval before the City will issue any permits:
- Any change to the outside of any building or structure.
- Any changes to the landscape.
- Any change to an interior that affects the exterior.
- New addition, construction, and/or remodel.
- Any change in a public right-of-way or other public space.
- Demolition of any building or structure.
- Exterior painting
The Board must determine that the alterations are consistent with Seattle Municipal Code for Fort Lawton, District Guidelines and the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation in order to issue the Certificate of Approval.