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West Seattle, a hilly district in Seattle, Washington, encompasses all of Seattle west of the Duwamish River. It was incorporated as an independent town in 1902 and was annexed by Seattle in 1907. Among the area's attractions are its saltwater beach parks along Elliott Bay and Puget Sound, including Alki Beach and Lincoln Park among others. The area is also prized for its magnificent views of the Olympic Mountains to the west and the Cascade Range to the east.

High Point

The highest point in Seattle is in the Gatewood neighborhood, adjacent to the aptly named High Point neighborhood of West Seattle; the intersection of 35th Avenue S.W. and S.W. Myrtle Street it is 520 feet above sea level. The hill is dominated by two huge water towers, and is also the location of Our Lady of Guadalupe School and Parish, on the peak of the highest hill in West Seattle. Also known for the High Point Projects although torn down in 2005 to make way for new mixed income housing

Alki

Alki Point is traditionally credited as the point where the Denny Party founded Seattle prior to moving across Elliott Bay to what is now Downtown. A similar landing at Alki has been reenacted annually since 1950 as part of the colorful, week-long Seafair celebration of Seattle's marine and boating interests. Seafair coincides with the much older Hi-Yu festivities in West Seattle now called the Junction Street Festival.

The Junction and other districts

The heart of West Seattle is the intersection of California Avenue S.W. and S.W. Alaska Street, called "The Junction" or "Alaska Junction," the center of a lively business district. West Seattle also has two other major intersections of note: the Admiral Junction in the northern part of the peninsula where California Avenue S.W. and S.W. Admiral Way meet, and the Morgan Street Junction at the southern end where Fauntleroy Way S.W., S.W. Morgan Street, and California Avenue S.W. intersect. The Westwood Village shopping center, between S.W. Trenton and S.W. Barton Streets in the south end of the district, has undergone several makeovers and now provides a mall-like shopping experience, including a box store and a large bookstore from a national chain. West Seattle also includes smaller areas in the south end, including Arbor Heights, Arroyo Heights, and Seola Beach.

Transportation

There is a Washington State Ferries dock in the Fauntleroy neighborhood, with service to Vashon Island and to Southworth on the Kitsap Peninsula. A passenger-only ferry also runs between Duwamish Head and downtown Seattle.

History

Numerous sites exist with historical information on West Seattle, which is Seattle's oldest neighborhood, and birthplace of Seattle proper. Besides Seattle's main Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI), the Southwest Seattle Historical Society has its own Log House Museum at Alki Point. The website WestSeattle.com also has a weekly historical column penned by long time West Seattle resident, Warren Lawless. At 90 years old, his insight into West Seattle's past is priceless. Among West Seattle's most famous residents are Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder actress Dyan Cannon, and, formerly, Frances Farmer. Vedder uses the pseudonym Wes C. Addle on some of his work.

News sources

The community is served by the West Seattle Herald^[1] which publishes weekly in print and offers updates throughout the day on its website. A local website, the West Seattle Blog, offers internet coverage of local news.^[2]

Education

West Seattle is home to South Seattle Community College, West Seattle High School, Chief Sealth High School, Seattle Lutheran High School, Gatewood Elementary School, Madison Middle School, Denny Middle School, Roxhill Elementary School, Alki Elementary School, Lafayette Elementary School, Highland Park Elementary School, Sanislo Elementary School, Pathfinder Elementary School, Holy Family School Seattle, Holy Rosary West Seattle, Schmitz Park Elementary School, and Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Neighborhoods

There are many neighborhoods within West Seattle.

References

Lori, Hinton (2005), West Seattle 101: a hundred and one things to do : an insider's guide to recreation, dining, entertainment & enrichment, Seattle: Adventure Press

External links

[1] West Seattle Herald

[2] West Seattle Blog

[1]

[2]

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 ==External links==
 {{commonscat|West Seattle, Seattle, Washington}}
+*[http://www.meetup.com/WestSeattle/]
 *[http://www.WestSeattleHerald.com WestSeattleHerald.com]
 *[http://www.WestSeattle.com WestSeattle.com]