Evergreen-Washelli Memorial Cemetery
11111 Aurora Ave. North
Seattle, King County, Washington 98133
206-362-5200
Also known as Oak Lake Cemetery, Washelli Cemetery, Evergreen Washelli Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Pacific Lutheran Cemetery
Directions
The cemetery is located on both sides of Aurora Avenue North (Highway 99), stretching from 110th Street in the south to North 125th Street in the north. The Interurban Trail runs along the west side of the cemetery, while Meridian Avenue North is on the east side.
History
They have proudly served the Seattle community for over 135 years. The 144-acre memorial park offers a wide range of burial services and is recognized as Seattle’s largest, most scenic, and historic cemetery.
Evergreen-Washelli Cemetery, a testament to the vision of its founders, David T. Denny (1832-1903) and his wife, Louisa Boren Denny (1827-1916), was established in 1884 on one of their land investments in Seattle’s north end, specifically in an area known as Oak Lake. Their decision to create a burial ground in this remote area, which at that time required a full day’s buggy ride to reach Seattle, laid the foundation for what would become Seattle’s largest, most scenic, and historic cemetery. The Denny family’s connection to the cemetery is further underscored by the fact that David Denny owned land by the lake, and when the old Seattle Cemetery was to be transformed into Denny Park, he relocated the remains of their infant son, Jonathan Denny, from there to his property at Oak Lake. According to Find A Grave, there are 35 memorials for notable individuals at the cemetery.
Henry Levi Denny, a cousin of David T. Denny, demonstrated the respect and care that the cemetery is known for when he relocated his family’s plot from Capitol Hill to the new burial ground in 1887. His decision led to more family members and friends choosing to bury their deceased loved ones at Evergreen-Washelli, a tradition that continues to this day.
In 1903, David’s son, Victor, inherited the property known as Oaklake Cemetery. In 1914, Victor sold the property to the American Necropolis Association (ANA), a company based in St. Louis that owned cemetery properties in several states. The ANA renamed the cemetery “Washelli,” which is derived from a Makah word meaning “west wind.” This name had previously belonged to a central Seattle cemetery that was disestablished in 1887.
In 1919, the Evergreen Cemetery Company established a competing cemetery on the western side of Aurora Avenue, directly across from Washelli Cemetery. In 1922, Evergreen Cemetery acquired Washelli from the Association of Northwest Cemeteries (ANA); however, the merger was not finalized until 1928. By 1952, Evergreen had taken control of the mausoleum, crematory, and columbarium. The cemetery was renamed Evergreen Washelli in 1962. Today, Evergreen-Washelli Cemetery manages operations on both sides of Aurora Avenue N, overseeing interments from 1884 and continuing to the present. Various sections within Evergreen-Washelli include the Veterans Memorial Cemetery and areas dedicated to religious communities, fraternal organizations, civil service, and ethnic groups.
The Veterans Memorial Cemetery was established in 1927 and features over 5,000 white marble headstones. It is home to two cannons from the frigate “Constitution,” also known as “Old Ironsides,” and a Chimes Tower that was added in the 1950s. In 1998, the “Doughboy” statue, originally cast in 1928, was relocated from Seattle Center to the Veterans Cemetery and was re-dedicated there on 11 November 1998. Memorial services have been held at the cemetery every Memorial Day since its opening in 1927. Within the cemetery’s boundaries are two small cemeteries: the Bikur Cholim Cemetery and the Orthodox Brotherly Cemetery of Saint Nicholas.
Evergreen Washelli cemeteries were established as “endowment care” cemeteries. This means that a portion of the cost of each grave is invested in a trust fund specifically for the maintenance of the grounds. As a result, the rolling hills and gardens of Evergreen Washelli will remain a beautiful landmark for generations to come.
The Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home, established in 1972, is a testament to the community’s trust and support. In response to the growing demand, the funeral home rapidly outgrew its initial offices on the eastern side of Washelli. In 1994, it relocated to larger facilities on the Evergreen side of the property, just off Aurora Avenue. The community’s need for gathering and reception space was accommodated in 2008 when Evergreen Washelli expanded its funeral home facility, adding a modern and inviting reception room.
Additional information
Visit the Evergreen-Washelli Memorial Cemetery Website
