Lake View Cemetery

Located on a breathtaking expanse atop Capitol Hill, this burial ground was established in 1872 as the Seattle Masonic Cemetery, changing its name to the Lake View Cemetery in 1890.

Now nestled in the middle of an affluent neighborhood, the cemetery serves as the final resting place of several iconic American figures, including poet Denise Levertov, painter Cordelia Wilson, founder of Nordstrom department store John W. Nordstrom, and a number of Seattle’s great pioneers. Having been founded only seven years after the Civil War, this graveyard has become deeply intertwined in America’s short but rich history.

Arguably the most popular plot for celebrity grave hunters is that of Brandon and Bruce Lee, father and son martial artists and film actors. Buried side-by-side, Brandon occupying the plot originally reserved for his mother, both men died tragically while on the set of films they were working on. Bruce was 32 when he suffered cerebral edema while doing dubbing work at the studio. Brandon was only 28 when he was accidentally shot on the set of “The Crow”, a major motion picture that was likely to skyrocket his fledgling acting career.

Know Before You Go

Heading north on I-5, take exit #168-A; the Lakeview Blvd. off-ramp. Turn left onto Lakeview Blvd. and continue to Roanoke Street. Turn right onto Roanoke Street and continue two blocks to 10th Ave E. Turn right onto 10th Ave. E., continue to Boston Street, which is at the second traffic light. Turn left onto Boston Street and continue for approximately 1/4 mile to the cemetery. Note: Boston Street will become 15th Ave. East. The Cemetery entrance will be on the right and the office is on the left at the corner of 15th Ave. E. and E. Garfield Street. Heading west on SR-520, take the Northbound I-5 exit and immediately take the Roanoke off-ramp. Turn right onto Roanoke Street and continue one block to 10th Ave. E. Turn right onto 10th Ave. E. and continue to Boston Street, which is at the second traffic light. Turn left onto Boston Street and continue for approximately 1/4 mile to the Cemetery. Note: Boston Street will become 15th Ave. E. The Cemetery entrance will be on the right and the office is on the left at the corner of 15th Ave. E. and E. Garfield Street. Heading south on I-5, take exit #168-A, the Roanoke Street exit. This is the first exit after crossing the ship canal bridge above Lake Union. Turn left at the light onto Roanoke Street and continue two blocks to 10th Ave. E. Turn right onto 10th Ave. E. and continue to Boston Street, which is at the second traffic light. Turn left onto Boston Street and continue for approximately 1/4 mile to the Cemetery. Note: Boston Street will become 15th Ave. E. The Cemetery entrance will be on the right and the office is on the left at the corner of 15th Ave. E. and E. Garfield Street.