The Aurora Bridge (officially the George Washington Memorial Bridge) carries State Route 99 over the western arm of Lake Union. The Aurora Bridge is so named because it carries Aurora Ave N down the western side of the lake. Lake Union's westernmost point can be considered the Fremont Cut, which is located just west of the Aurora Bridge and is spanned by the Fremont Bridge. The Fremont Bridge carries Fremont Ave N between the neighborhoods of Fremont and Queen Anne and separates Lake Union from the rest of the Lake Washington Ship Canal to the west.
In Lushootseed, the lake is known as x̌ax̌čuʔ, meaning "small lake."[3] It is the diminutive form of the name of Lake Washington, x̌ačuʔ.[4]
In Chinook Jargon, the trade language primarily used in the 19th century, it is called Tenas Chuck ("small water").[5]
Lake Union received its present name from Thomas Mercer, who in 1854 correctly predicted that canals would someday join Lake Washington to Puget Sound in a "union of waters."[6]
Lake Union, 1907, from Queen Anne Hill. Capitol Hill is straight ahead; the gas works (now Gas Works Park) can be seen at left, jutting into the lake.
The view of Capitol Hill and Downtown Seattle from Lake Union
Industry
Boeing began production on Lake Union in 1916, there had a hanger assembled the company's first product B & W Seaplane.[7] Shipyards, wharfs, and sawmills have also dotted the shore.
Recreation
Lake Union's proximity to and scenic views of the central Seattle and University District skylines make it a popular recreational spot. Seaplanes operated by Kenmore Air and Seattle Seaplanes land and take off from the lake throughout the day. Pleasure boats from Lake Washington pass through on their way to Puget Sound. The Center for Wooden Boats holds a yearly wooden boat festival, while the annual Seattle Boat Show at the end of January demonstrates seacraft for sale on actual waters, in addition to its displays in the concourse of Lumen Field. The world-famous Duck Dodge sailboat races are run on Lake Union each Tuesday during the summer. Rowers in sweep and sculling boats use the lake year-round. Paddle boarding and kayaking are also popular on this lake.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Lake_Union, and is written by contributors.
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