Lakewood Landmarks Provide Various Levels of History

Lakewood has a collection of historical markers and sites dotted around the city. Some are well known and others are tucked away, otherwise unmarked.

Historical sites often find themselves on local, state and national historical registries. A listing on the National Registry of Historical Places is largely an honorary designation. It carries a few restrictions on the redevelopment or reuse of a site.

Property placed on the national registry does not carry more muscle than a local designation. A site designated for its historical significance by the city carries tax incentives and preservation requirements. A listing of a historical site by the city of Lakewood goes through a roster of reviews and must be nominated by the Lakewood Advisory Board and then a majority vote by the City Council.

The process of being designated as a historic landmark takes longer.

Fort Steilacoom

Fort Steilacoom represents the site of the first official U.S. presence in the area and is the most recognizable site on the National Registry. Four buildings, dating back to 1859, are located on the grounds of Western State Hospital and are used as a museum to the early days of the area. Fort Steilacoom, however, isn't on the local registry yet, because multiple agencies have stakes in the location's future.

The Boatman-Ainsworth house

It's the oldest private residence in the area, earning a spot on the local registry. It was built in 1858 and is currently for sale after the estate was subdivided into commercial and residential parcels along 112th Streets.

Old Settlers Cemetery

One of the first cemetaries in the area was most recently listed on the Lakewood registry, located along Washington Boulevard. It reprsents the final resting place to some of the area's early merchants and civic leaders.

The Patient Cemetery for Western State Hospital

Another resting place for hundreds of patients can be found in the center of Fort Steilacoom Park. Hundreds of patients that died at the hospital were given numbered headstones instead of ones baring their names as a way to protect their families from the stigma of mental illness. A group of volunteers is restoring the cemetery and adding names to the stones as time and donations allow.

The Tacoma Speedway

Located on what is now Clover Park Technical College, The Tacoma Speedway opened in 1912 and operated until 1922. While none of the speedway buildings remain, it played a role in the development of Lakewood.