Curiously Wonderful Local Facts

Strange and Fascinating Facts about Seattle Southside

Last Updated: April 1, 2026

Seattle Southside may seem like an ordinary region, but scratch the surface and you'll find some bizarre, fascinating, and truly delightful facts about our neck of the woods.

From close encounters of the third kind to a giant sloth found under the airport to Cold War-era missile launch sites converted to dog parks, Seattle Southside is an area full of curiously wonderful history.

Prehistoric Giants
Six Gill Sharks
An Early Settlement on a Golf Course
The Men In Black Legend
Cold War to Cold Noses
Pet Cemetery
George the Ghost
Unsolved Mysteries
Super Mario's Tukwila Roots
Hazelnut History
Local Legends: Bruce Bickford
Unusual Art
The Good Bootlegger
The Debate Over "Des Moines"
An Ancient Canoe Was Found in Angle Lake
More Fun Facts

A Giant Sloth Was Uncovered Under the Airport

Let's kick things off with a trip back in time—way, way back, 12,600 years ago, to a time when giants roamed the earth, including a giant sloth that was found right in SeaTac. We may think of sloths as cute, cuddly creatures that climb trees, but the ground-dwelling Megalonyx was about 10 feet long and weighed roughly 2,200 pounds.

During the expansion of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in 1961, workers uncovered a well-preserved fossilized skeleton of a Megalonyx as they were digging a new runway. Today, you can see a replica of the creature at the Highline Heritage Museum and appreciate just how massive it was.

Pictured: Replica of a giant ground sloth found under SEA Airport at the Highline Heritage Museum

Des Moines is the Sixgill Shark Capital of the World

The beach town of Des Moines, Washington, has earned the nickname “Sixgill Shark Capital of the World” thanks to the rare opportunity it offers divers to encounter the elusive Bluntnose Sixgill Shark (Hexanchus griseus). At Redondo Beach, the unique underwater terrain and depth bring these normally deep-sea predators closer to shore than almost anywhere else on Earth. Local divers have documented consistent seasonal sightings from late spring through early fall, making Des Moines a global hotspot for researchers and adventurous SCUBA divers. With six gill slits instead of the usual five, and a lineage dating back millions of years, these massive sharks—growing up to 18 feet long—are often described as living fossils of the ocean. Don't worry: they're not considered dangerous to people!

Pictured: Bluntnose Sixgill Shark
Credit: Ed Gullekson

One of the First European Settlements in the Northwest is Now a Golf Course

Foster Golf Links, one of the oldest public golf courses in Washington, is named after early settler Joseph Foster and sits on the former site of one of the first European settlements along the Duwamish River, established by Joseph and his brother Stephen in 1852. After traveling from Wisconsin by ox team, Foster built a homestead in the fertile river valley, an area long inhabited by the Duwamish people whose communities depended on the river for food, travel, and trade. Like many early settlements, the Fosters’ arrival marked a turning point that contributed to the displacement and disruption of Indigenous lifeways. Joseph Foster went on to serve in the Washington Territorial Legislature and became the region’s first superintendent of schools, an enduring legacy reflected in the naming of Foster High School. Today, visitors to the course can still find a plaque marking the site of Foster’s original homestead near Tukwila’s oldest maple tree, offering a tangible connection to both the area’s pioneer past and the deeper history that came before it.

The "Men in Black" Legend Started Here

In June of 1947, weeks before the infamous Roswell incident, local man Harold Dahl had a close encounter off the shores of Des Moines. Allegedly, a group of UFOs rained down a metallic substance on his boat, killing Dahl’s beloved dog. In the days following the encounter, a mysterious government man in a black suit contacted Dahl, warning that “bad things would happen” if he told anyone about what he'd seen. It was the first incident in what would become known as the "Summer of Saucers," when UFO sightings were reported across the country. Years later, local filmmakers would recreate the encounter in the 2014 short film The Maury Island Incident.

To learn more, sign up for the free UFO Mysteries Trail, which takes you to significant sites and intriguing public art.

Pictured: The Maury Island Incident Mural in Des Moines, Washington.

Watch to learn more about the UFO sighting.

Grandview Off-Leash Dog Park Used to be a NIKE Missile Launch Site

With dogs racing across open fields at Grandview Off-Leash Dog Park, it’s hard to imagine the site once played a role in America’s Cold War defense network. In the late 1940s, the U.S. Army launched the Nike missile program to protect major cities from potential Soviet bomber attacks, establishing a ring of missile sites around strategic areas, including several in Washington state. One of those sites was located just off Military Road, where underground launch magazines once stored Nike Ajax missiles, later upgraded to the more advanced Nike Hercules. As technology evolved and the threat of bomber attacks gave way to intercontinental ballistic missiles, the Nike system was phased out by the 1970s, and many sites were abandoned. Over time, the Military Road installation was decommissioned, covered over, and eventually transformed into today’s Grandview Off-Leash Dog Park—a peaceful, community-loved space that now sits atop a hidden layer of Cold War history.

There's a Famous Pet Cemetery

The Seattle-Tacoma Pet Cemetery may seem unremarkable at first glance—but its history tells a different story. Recently added to the list of King County Historic Landmarks, the cemetery is the final resting place not only for beloved pets, but also for decorated police K-9 units and even a few celebrity animals. Among them are Little Tyke, a vegetarian lioness, and a goat that served as a mascot during the 1960 presidential campaign. With its unique stories and intriguing art, this one-of-a-kind site is well worth a visit.

A Haunted Building Looms on the Hillside

When you see the historic Masonic Grand Lodge of Washington for the first time, the sprawling complex might just take your breath away. Built by the Freemasons in the 1920s as a retirement center, the building resembles the forever haunted mansion in Stephen King’s Rose Red, so it may not come as a surprise that the building is famously haunted. A rumored former Grand Master of the lodge named George allegedly roams the halls in a full tuxedo. Although multiple Georges are pictured outside of the Grand Hall, it is unknown which George this ghost might be. The building was vacant for years but was purchased by an area investment group. However, the plans for the facility are still being determined. As for what George will do if the site is demolished? Only time will tell.

One of the Greatest Unsolved Mysteries, D.B. Cooper, Began Here

In November of 1971, a man who gave the name Dan Cooper purchased a one-way ticket from Portland to Sea-Tac International Airport. Soon after takeoff, he gave a note to a flight attendant informing her that he had a bomb and demanded $200,000 and four parachutes. Upon landing at Sea-Tac, passengers disembarked, and the man’s demands were met. The plane soon took off, carrying the man and a skeleton crew. Twenty minutes into the flight, the man later known as “D.B. Cooper” jumped out of the plane, never to be seen again.

This story, along with many other local legends and historical events, is documented at the Highline Heritage Museum.

Super Mario Has Roots in Tukwila

Believe it or not, one of the most recognizable characters in video game history has roots in Tukwila. In the early 1980s, Nintendo of America operated out of a warehouse owned by local developer Mario Segale. While the company was working on what would become the hit arcade game Donkey Kong, Segale showed up to collect overdue rent, and they noticed a likeness to the character they were creating.

Not long after that encounter, the team decided to rename their unnamed character, then known as “Jumpman," to “Mario,” borrowing the name of their landlord. Nintendo later confirmed the connection, turning a moment of workplace tension into a lasting piece of pop culture history. Segale himself stayed largely out of the spotlight. When asked about his famous namesake, he was known to joke that he was still waiting on royalty checks.

The City of Tukwila is Named After Hazelnuts

Tukwila, one of the cities in Seattle Southside, has a rich cultural history that began thousands of years before European settlers arrived in the region. Its earliest residents were the Coast Salish people, who made their homes along the banks of Black, Green, and Duwamish rivers. At that time, the region was filled with lush forests of hazelnut trees. Eventually, these communities began to call the region Tukwila, Chinook jargon for the Duwamish word for hazelnut. They thrived in the area, fishing in the rivers, foraging for wild berries, and navigating the rivers to trade with other nearby peoples.

Sources: Experience Tukwila and the City of Tukwila.

Legendary Artist Bruce Bickford Lived & Worked in SeaTac

Bruce Bickford (February 11, 1947 – April 28, 2019) remains a legend among animation enthusiasts, known for his wildly imaginative, painstakingly crafted work. Born in Seattle in 1947, Bickford spent most of his life in SeaTac, Washington, where he began animating as a teenager using clay figures and model cars. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Marines and served for three years, including eleven months in Vietnam. When he returned home, he resumed his creative pursuits, producing a series of short films that showcased his distinctive style.

In 1973, Bickford was introduced to musician Frank Zappa, leading to a creative partnership that resulted in projects like Baby Snakes and The Amazing Mr. Bickford. Over the decades, he continued to produce intricate and often surreal animation using claymation, stop-motion, and detailed line work, largely from his garage studio in SeaTac. Until his passing in 2019, Bickford remained a fiercely independent artist, leaving behind a body of work that continues to influence animators and experimental filmmakers.

You can now see several of Bickford's pieces, including an elaborate miniature display of the fictional town of Twin Peaks, permanently on display at the Highline Heritage Museum.

Bruce Bickford

Unusual Art Abounds

Seattle Southside is home to some truly amazing (and unusual) outdoor art. One of our favorites is Big Catch in Des Moines, one of the region’s most talked-about (and eyebrow-raising) pieces of public art. Created by sculptor Richard Beyer, the statue depicts a fisherman embracing (and kissing) an unusually human-like fish, a deliberately provocative image that sparked controversy when it was first unveiled. Inspired by a tongue-in-cheek fairy tale about a maiden turned into a fish and restored by a kiss, the backstory was reportedly invented after the fact to help explain the sculpture’s suggestive design. Love it or question it, the piece has become a memorable roadside attraction and a symbol of Des Moines’ playful, slightly irreverent personality—proof that public art doesn’t always play it safe.

Another striking public artwork is the Robert Morris Earthwork in SeaTac, a 4-acre site where concentric circles of grassy earth descend into the hillside. If you didn't know better, you might think you were looking at an ancient amphitheater lost to time. In fact, the site is one of the world’s most prominent examples of land reclamation as art. Before 1979, the area had been a gravel pit used as a dumping ground for industrial waste. The organization 4Culture (formerly the King County Arts Commission) commissioned artist Robert Morris to transform this blight. He carved the land into descending concentric slopes and terraces in the shape of an amphitheater. Now, it's a peaceful, thought-provoking space where the public can enjoy views of the Kent Valley and Mt Rainier. Morris also left a subtle but somber reminder of the site’s past: a row of blackened tree stumps he calls a “ghost forest,” which challenges visitors to consider the consequences of unchecked destruction. Today, Johnson Pit #30, as it is formally known, is recognized and studied worldwide by scholars, urban planners, curators, and art enthusiasts. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in October 2021.

Pictured: Robert Morris Earthworks

The Infamous "Good Bootlegger" Was Caught in Des Moines

The story of “The Good Bootlegger” brings a uniquely Pacific Northwest twist to the Prohibition era. Roy Olmstead—a former Seattle police officer turned rum-running kingpin—built one of the largest and most efficient bootlegging operations in the country, all while sticking to an unusual code: no guns, no violence, and only high-quality liquor.

At the height of his success, Olmstead was moving hundreds of cases of alcohol a day through Puget Sound, earning millions and a reputation as a gentleman outlaw. His story comes to a dramatic climax on Thanksgiving Day 1925 at the Woodmont Dock near Des Moines Marina, where federal agents staged a raid that would become one of the most iconic moments in the region’s bootlegging history.

The Pronunciation of Des Moines, Washington is Hotly Debated

Des Moines, Washington, looks simple on paper, but say it out loud and you may find yourself in surprisingly uncertain territory. Unlike its Iowa counterpart, there’s no single agreed-upon pronunciation. Some locals say “duh-MOIN” (dropping the s in a more French style), while others stick with “duh-MOYNZ,” fully pronouncing the final consonant. It’s one of those subtle regional quirks that can make even confident speakers hesitate.

According to reporting from KIRO’s My Northwest, the divide is rooted in both language and local history. Official materials have leaned toward the French-style pronunciation without the s, but many residents have long pronounced it with the s. One explanation traces back to early investors from Des Moines, Iowa, who may have intentionally used two different pronunciations to distinguish between the two places in conversation. Whichever way you say it, you’ll find someone who disagrees with you.

An Ancient Canoe Was Found in Angle Lake

In 1990, a diver discovered a rare Native American dugout canoe submerged in Angle Lake near SeaTac, believed to be roughly 200–300 years old and carved from a single log in the traditional Coast Salish style. The find quickly raised questions about ownership, as both the Muckleshoot and Duwamish tribes asserted cultural claims to the artifact, highlighting broader issues in how ancient Indigenous objects are legally and ethically handled. Because the canoe had been preserved underwater, it required careful conservation treatment to prevent deterioration once exposed to air. The discovery not only underscored the region’s long history of Native water travel and craftsmanship but also sparked debate over stewardship, tribal rights, and the role of museums and state agencies in preserving culturally significant artifacts.

Source: The Seattle Times

More Fun Facts

Seattle Southside History: Des Moines Beach Park

Learn More
The documented history of Washington state (and the United States, for that matter) is fairly recent history compared to the rest of the world; although Native Americans have been living in the area we now call Seattle Southside for thousands of years.

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In 1989, William Westlake Walker, a former resident of Seattle Southside, made the exciting and accidental discovery of two Native American canoes.


Friends and neighbors gathered at the Angle Lake RV Park on Saturday evening to hear how Walker, a retired architect and former resident, made the incredible discovery of two Native American canoes while diving in Angle Lake.

One April morning in 1989, Walker went for a dive in Angle Lake, as he had done over a hundred times before. On this particular morning, he noticed something different. Due to color blindness, Walker is unable to see certain colors but is extra sensitive to different hues of the same color. Because of this unique ability, he noticed a difference in the green shade of aquatic grass covering the floor of the lake. There was a patch of green unlike the surrounding areas – and it formed the perfect outline of what could only be a canoe.

Intrigued, Walker pushed his hand into the mud and was met with the smooth surface of a fire-hollowed canoe. What followed was a long process of excavation, restoration, and re-unification.

After securing the required permits from state authorities, Walker made 20 dives to dig the canoe out of the mud and float it above the mud line.

In the process, Walker made another remarkable discovery – about 350 feet from the site of the first vessel, a second canoe was found.

Using his knowledge of preserving artifacts from his architectural training, Walker began preserving the canoes by soaking them in a solution of polyethylene glycol. Because polyethylene glycol has a higher specific gravity than water, it forced the water out of the saturated canoes, allowing for a safe drying process to occur while also creating a wax-like surface that helped stabilize the deteriorating cellular structure of the wood.

Once the canoes were stable enough to work with, state archivists carbon dated the canoes to the year 1678. They were then held at The Washington State Archives Records Center for several years before being handed over to the Muckleshoot Tribe, where they remain in storage.

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