Laurelhurst Neighborhood
Located on the western shore of Lake Washington, Laurelhurst is a community built into the peninsula that reaches into Union Bay.
The neighborhood was an early settlement in the Seattle area, having been annexed to the city in 1910, and managed to maintain some rural culture within the growing town. Even until the mid-1900s, Laurelhurst was far from city living. The fastest way into downtown was by boat, and residents who had gone in for a show and missed the 11 p.m. return, were said to have camped out overnight at Madison Park.
Today Laurelhurst is home to the Seattle Children’s Hospital, the premiere facility for pediatric care in the metropolitan area. Other prime visiting places include the Laurelhurst Beach Club, Laurelhurst Park, and the Laurelhurst Community Center, which is an official city landmark.
Over the years Laurelhurst has been home to many notable local—and global—celebrities, including Bill gates, who was born, raised and a resident of the community until 1994. The Far Side comic creator Gary Larson also lived in Laurelhurst for a time, as did Dugg McKagan, the bassist for Guns N’ Roses.
