This probably would have been a nice vantage point for a fireworks display.
I’m unsure whatever became of this structure and whether anything remains from it.
Over the years this well known Seattle area postcard had this stamped on the back: “This tree is located at terminus of Lake Burian car line, large tracts of land with Sound view at this point for sale on easy terms – Geo.
Gunther owner, office at terminus of Lake Burian Electric R.R. – R.F.D. No. 4 Seattle, Wash.”
This interesting website also mentions Gunther’s. Click on the card’s thumbnail for higher res.
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| 3188 — Gunther’s Observation Tree, Lake Burian, Seattle, Washington. Published by Edw. H. Mitchell, San Francisco. |
Is the spelling an error on the part of the postcard producer, or was what is now spelled Burien once spelled Burian?
a little sleuthing turned up this mention in google books :http://books.google.com/books?id=_c-2s4iL9KIC&lpg=PA221&ots=jGcnlBtb6d&dq=Gunther%20tower%20burien&pg=PA221 and the google maps of the stump in question http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=SW+152th+Pl,+Seattle,+King,+Washington+98166&sll=47.463242,-122.360578&sspn=0.002296,0.006539&ie=UTF8&ll=47.466941,-122.362247&spn=0,359.993461&z=18&layer=c&cbll=47.466783,-122.362247&panoid=9Bg4syNm4IuVsFva4dJi9w&cbp=12,1.82,,0,5 i can’t make out the little yellow shop that might have more info.
See also… http://www.highlinetimes.com/articles/2007/06/12/news/local_news/news01.txt
The little yellow shop is a Montessori preschool, right where 152nd veers into Maplewild. To the best of my knowledge (I grew up near there), nothing remains of the stump.
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