A historic milestone for the CKC

On Monday, June 3 a group of development professionals, City employees, and history enthusiasts gathered on the Cross-Kirkland Corridor to unveil three markers that correspond to historic locations on the former Lake Washington Belt Line, the Northern Pacific rail line that ran through Kirkland from 1905 until its conversion to a trail c. 2014. This pilot project was underwritten by SRM Development, the company that built and owns Google’s campus in Houghton, which surrounds the location of this project.

The core design team consisted of Dave Tomson (SRM Development), Amber Mikluscak, Angela Mele, and Chuck McDowell (Facet, formerly DCG/Watershed), and Kent Sullivan. Two of the markers were created from old-growth cedar beam remnants. All 3 markers feature heavy-duty bronze plate. The design is beautiful, timeless, and very sturdy.

Unlike many historical signs in the area, there is intentionally a relatively-small amount of content on each marker. The full story is available on the web, accessible via a QR code on each marker, where it can be presented in an interactive, mobile-friendly way and more-easily be kept up-to-date. (Thanks to Chris Neir and Kirkland Heritage Society for hosting the web content!)

The team looks forward to working with the City of Kirkland to add markers at other historic locations along the CKC and also hopes that Eastrail extends the practice elsewhere along the rest of the former Lake Washington Belt Line.

Angela Mele (DCG/Watershed), Kent Sullivan, and Dave Tomson (SRM Development) unveil the Globe Feed Co. marker. (photo by Matt McCauley)

Close-up of the Globe Feed Co. marker. (photo by Matt McCauley)

Kent Sullivan and Loita Hawkinson (Kirkland Heritage Society) unveil the Seattle Door Co. (aka SeDorCo) marker as Blair Daly (City of Kirkland) looks on. (photo by Matt McCauley)

3/4 of the web content team pose with the SeDorCo marker: Noel Sherrard, Gia Ferrari, and Kent Sullivan. Not pictured: Jeanine Spence. (photo by Matt McCauley)

A mockup of the SeDorCo marker in Dave Tomson’s office. (photo by Kent Sullivan)

Globe Feed Co. circa 1972 (courtesy Matt McCauley)

Seattle Door Co. circa 1962 (courtesy Kirkland Heritage Society)