Hidden Beach: 100+ years
Hidden Beach (aka E. Harrison Street End) has been a public beach for over 100 years. This is the ongoing timeline of Hidden Beach and the effort to preserve it.
“The woods”
Jack Roth — who grew up in the neighborhood (living in Libby & Bob’s home for 21 years before they moved in) — recalled playing at Hidden Beach as a boy in the 1920s, when neighborhood kids called it “the woods.” Jack moved to Yakima and lived to be 102.
Estimated date; family recollection“We all played at Hidden Beach as kids”
Fred Stahlhut, now in his 80s, still lives with his wife in the Denny Blaine house where he was born.
Estimated date; firsthand recollectionPublic by law
Seattle designates its shoreline street ends “for public uses and enjoyment.”
Source: Resolution 29370South lot rebuilt
The 1951 house south of the beach is demolished and replaced with a new ~4,400 sq ft home.
Source: King County AssessorA driveway on public land
A 14-ft concrete driveway crosses part of the public street end; it is later covered by a paid City encroachment permit.
Source: Seattle SDCI / FOHBNorth home sold; remodel begins
The waterfront home north of the beach sells for ~$12M and a major remodel begins.
Source: King County Assessor; WA Court of Appeals
A fence on public land
A construction-staging fence (SDOT permit SUCONST0003196) encloses up to 1,667 sq ft of the public street end — and stays for about 21 months.
Source: Seattle SDOT
Friends of Hidden Beach files its plan
FOHB submits its plan to restore public access to SDOT (permit SUCONST0004094).
Source: Seattle Services PortalThe community steps up
Fundraising begins and volunteers hold work parties, while pressing the City to protect the street end.
Fence down; driveway denied
The construction fence comes off the public land, and SDOT denies the north driveway application.
Source: Seattle SDOT; WA Court of AppealsThe City is sued
The north owners sue the City over public records; the case is dismissed and upheld on appeal.
Source: WA Court of Appeals No. 88277-5-IPublic comment opens
The City opens public comment on FOHB’s plan and residents weigh in.
Source: SDCI project 3041461-LU
The City funds improvements
Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth secures $15,000 for Hidden Beach in the City budget.
“Wetland?” No — it’s a beach
A years-long “wetland” question is resolved: the site is not a wetland.
Source: SDCI; expert reports 2017 and 2025The plan advances
FOHB pays the review fees and the improvement plan moves to the next round of City review.
Where things stand
The plan is under review. FOHB proposes restoring the central public entrance with native plantings and log-bench seating — while keeping reasonable access for both neighbors.