King County Landmarks

Protecting King County’s Landmarks

Historic postcard of Lake Wilderness Lodge, Maple Valley/ Collection of Eugenia Woo.

At the county level, the King County Register of Historic Places serves as the official list of those properties which have significantly contributed to the history of King County. Chapter 20.62 of the King County Code allows any member of the public to nominate a potential King County Landmark or Landmark District, with or without the owner’s consent, to the nine-member King County Landmarks Commission. The Board has the power to designate as King County Landmarks those properties and districts which meet at least one of the criteria for nomination. Once designated a King County Landmark, the property is subject to design review controls and made eligible for certain incentives. To date, over 60 historic places have been designated King County Landmarks.

The King County Landmarks Commission also serves as the historic preservation body for communities that have signed an interlocal agreement with King County to provide local preservation services. While Seattle maintains an independent Historic Preservation Program, communities like Kirkland, Shoreline, and Woodinville have opted to partner with King County through the interlocal program. Furthermore, the Commission has the authority to designate locally-significant places that do not meet the criteria of official King County Landmark listing with the honorary designation of Community Landmark.

A complete list of King County Landmarks, explanation of the designation process, and staff contact information can be found on the county’s Historic Preservation website. While most King County Landmarks are located outside Seattle’s city limits, Historic Seattle’s staff offers technical and educational assistance to individuals and community groups across King County. For more information, contact Historic Seattle’s Director of Preservation Services, Eugenia Woo, at EugeniaW@historicseattle.org.