Seattle, Washington story
A Floating Legacy
The history of the Wagner Houseboat.
Read the story
Some houses stay put, but the Wagner House began its life on the move. Built around 1909 or 1912, it started as a summer home on Lake Washington near Madison Park. Decades later, in the 1950s, it was bought by Richard Wagner.
Dick and his wife Colleen didn't just see a floating home; they saw a sanctuary for maritime history. In 1968, they converted the building into the South Lake Union home of the Center for Wooden Boats. Now known as the Wagner House, it is one of the oldest surviving houseboats on Lake Union.
Its significance is officially recognized, having been listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. It stands as a floating testament to Seattle's enduring connection to the water.
Updated June 2026