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Seattle, Washington / History

Lake View Cemetery

Established in 1872, Lake View Cemetery is a historic Capitol Hill landmark known as Seattle's Pioneer Cemetery, offering stunning vistas of Lake Washington and the Cascade Mountains.

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Lake View Cemetery
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What is Lake View Cemetery known for?

Known as “Seattle’s Pioneer Cemetery,” it is a nationally recognized landmark of historical significance. It is a destination for fans of Bruce and Brandon Lee, as well as the founding families of Seattle, including Princess Angeline.

What are the hours?

The cemetery is open for visitation seven days a week, including holidays. Summer hours (March – October) are 9 AM – 8 PM, and winter hours (October – March) are 10 AM – 4 PM.

Who is buried at Lake View Cemetery?

Notable burials include Bruce Lee and his son Brandon Lee, Princess Angeline (daughter of Chief Sealth), and John Nordstrom, the founder of Nordstrom's department stores.

Where is it located?

It is located at 1554 15th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112, in the Capitol Hill neighborhood just north of Volunteer Park.

What is the history of the cemetery?

Established in 1872 as the Seattle Masonic Cemetery, it was officially renamed Lake View Cemetery in 1890 due to its views of Lake Washington.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

Lake View Cemetery is a private, non-profit cemetery located in Seattle's historic Capitol Hill neighborhood, just north of Volunteer Park. Established in 1872 as the Seattle Masonic Cemetery, the site was officially renamed Lake View Cemetery in 1890 to reflect its breathtaking vistas of Lake Washington and the Cascade Mountains to the east and the Olympic Mountains to the west. It is commonly known as Seattle's Pioneer Cemetery and is recognized as a nationally recognized landmark of historical significance. Across 40 acres of landscaped grounds, visitors can explore more than 40 varieties of trees and shrubs. The cemetery contains over 40,000 graves, serving as the final resting place for Seattle's founding families and notable figures. This includes Princess Angeline, the daughter of Chief Sealth, and the founder of Nordstrom's department stores, John Nordstrom. One of the most famous gravesites in the world, the Lee family graves are a major draw. Bruce Lee and his son, Brandon Lee, are buried adjacent to one another. The site is a global pilgrimage spot, attracting roughly 10,000 people per year who leave offerings such as flowers, notes, money, figurines, crystals, and oranges oranges to honor the martial arts legend.

Visitor tips

  • Plan your visit during summer hours (March to October) when the grounds are open from 9 AM to 8 PM.
  • If visiting between October and March, note that winter hours are 10 AM to 4 PM.
  • Allow plenty of time to walk the 40-acre grounds to find the Lee family graves and the graves of Seattle's founding families.

Nearby context

Located just north of Volunteer Park in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, Lake View Cemetery is a serene contrast to the downtown core's bustle, providing a historic anchor to the city's early settlement patterns.

Sources

Evidence and links