Fort Lawton, Washington — History & Visitor Guide

Fort Lawton (Seattle (Magnolia neighborhood), Washington)

Seattle (Magnolia neighborhood) · Washington · Spanish-American War, Boxer Rebellion, World War II, Korean War

Quick BriefFort Lawton opened on February 9, 1900, on Magnolia Bluff overlooking Puget Sound, named after Major General Henry Ware Lawton, who was killed in action in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War. Established to defend Seattle and the south Puget Sound from naval attack, the installation was built on 703 acres of land donated by local citizens and government. During World War II, the fort became the second-largest port of embarkation for US forces and material to the Pacific Theater, processing over one million troops.

Coastal defenseOpen to visitors

History & Significance

In 1896, the Secretary of Defense selected Magnolia Bluff for construction of an artillery battery to defend Seattle and Puget Sound from naval attack, with local citizens and governments donating 703 acres the following year. Construction began in June 1898 during the Spanish-American War.

The fort officially opened on February 9, 1900, occupying 1,100 acres. The military encampment was redesigned in 1902 for infantry use, and landscape architect John C. Olmsted oversaw a major design revision in 1910 that included officer and enlisted housing.

In 1909, the 25th Infantry Regiment (Buffalo Soldiers), primarily African American soldiers, transferred to the fort, with approximately 900 men and their families representing about a third of Seattle's African American population. The fort served as a marshaling camp for soldiers preparing for the Boxer Rebellion in China.

During World War II, at least 20,000 troops at a time were stationed at the fort, with more than one million troops passing through—making it the second-largest port of embarkation for US forces to the Pacific Theater. The post housed over 1,000 German prisoners of war and processed approximately 5,000 Italian POWs en route to Hawaii.

The Fort Lawton Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Fort Lawton officially closed on September 14, 2011, with the property transferred to the City of Seattle in 2012. Today, 534 acres of the former fort comprise Discovery Park, Seattle's largest public park.

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🧳 Visiting

What you’ll see when you visit:

Historic colonial revival officers' quarters and military buildings from 1900s
Lighthouse overlooking Puget Sound with views of Olympic Mountains
Forest trails and bluff paths within Discovery Park's 534 acres
Museum and interpretive displays documenting fort's role in Pacific Theater deployment

Best time to visitSpring (April-May) and fall (September-October) offer mild weather and lower rainfall than Pacific Northwest winters.

Getting thereFly into King County International Airport (BFI), 16.8 km south of Seattle; the fort's historic district is located within Discovery Park in Seattle's Magnolia neighborhood.

From the nearest major airportSeattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA)🚗 21 mi by road⏱️ ≈ 41 min drive

Fort Lawton (Seattle (Magnolia neighborhood), Washington)

History & Significance

Key Facts

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🧳 Visiting

Sources

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