Lake Union Naval Reserve Building

Lake Union Park in Seattle is a focal point for maritime heritage, with the Naval Reserve Building its most prominent feature. Built in 1941, the blue, white and gold structure was the local headquarters for the US Naval Reserve, and it trained thousands of reservists over 57 years. Maritime themes infuse the entire Art Deco design, including the portholes in the doors. A "wet trainer," a watertight room that fills with water, allowed sailors to practice sealing off and evacuating a flooded ship’s compartment. Other special training areas included an indoor rifle range, a full-scale ship's bridge with a pilot house, a chart room, a radio room, and a combat information center.