'We're On Top Of The World' -- Or, At Least, Seattle

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By By Brian Calvert

Summary

Ever wonder what the highest neighborhood is in Seattle? We found the house that towers over all of us -- and it's not on Queen Anne.

Story Published: Nov 29, 2005 at 7:12 AM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 2:08 AM PDT

'We're On Top Of The World' -- Or, At Least, Seattle
SEATTLE - Ever wondered just "how high" Seattle is? Before you answer that, we're talking about elevation.

When Steve Pool talks about snow in the forecast, he often mentions a snow level or an elevation at which you can expect the white stuff. We know Seattle is close to sea level, but how high are some of the city's highest points?

"Anytime they say (the snow level) is going to be under 1,000 feet, we always get 2-3 inches (of snow)," says Seattle resident Richard Maury.

To say he has a view is an understatement. Tall buildings excluded, he lives at the highest elevation in the city. So do you get many visitors up there Richard?

"Every once in a while we'll get someone that will come up here and say: 'Isn't this the tallest part of Seattle?' And we say 'yeah, sure is.' We used to have a plaque out in the alley, but the previous owner took it when he moved," Maury says.

So if you had to guess, where do you think Richard Maury's house is?

"I think it's Capitol Hill," one man guesses.

Nope.

Bitter Lake?

Nuh uh.

The most popular response?

"I think it's Queen Anne," one man says. "I thought it was Queen Anne Hill," a woman echoes.

"There's Queen Anne," Maury says as he points out his window. "We're taller than that."

To find the North Pole of this city, you have to head over to West Seattle. Look for the water towers at 35th and Myrtle, and just to the south, is Richard Maury's place.

At 520 feet North American Vertical Datum, it is the tallest point in Seattle.

Bitter Lake comes in second at 493, then Queen Anne at 456 feet.

The highest point in Volunteer Park is 453 feet.

So hands down, Richard Maury is looking down his nose at the rest of us.

"We're the top of the world," Maury says with a smile.

For more information:

www.ci.seattle.wa.us/transportation/steepest.htm