Seattle, Washington story
A Floating Legacy
Living on the water requires a different kind of engineering than building on land. The Wagner Houseboat is one of the oldest surviving examples of this in Seattle, with roots goi…
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Living on the water requires a different kind of engineering than building on land. The Wagner Houseboat is one of the oldest surviving examples of this in Seattle, with roots going back to 1909. Originally built as a summer home on Lake Washington, it was later moved to Lake Union.
Maintaining a structure that floats while surviving the Pacific Northwest's elements for over a century is no small feat. It's a testament to the durability of early floating-home design and the passion of those who keep these wooden vessels afloat.
Updated June 2026