A Floating Legacy

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Tucked away on Lake Union is the Wagner House, one of the oldest surviving houseboats in the city. This floating home actually started its life way back in 1909 as a summer residence on Lake Washington near Madison Park. In the 1950s, it was purchased by Dick Wagner, who began using it to store and repair boats.

Together with his wife Colleen, Dick transformed the building into the home of the Center for Wooden Boats in 1968. Because of its unique history and preservation, the houseboat was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. It’s a floating piece of Seattle history that reminds us of the city's deep, enduring connection to the water.

Updated June 2026