Entry No. 8 — the Seattle file — filed under: haunted
Lake View Cemetery
Founded in 1872 as the Seattle Masonic Cemetery, Lake View crowns Capitol Hill just north of Volunteer Park and holds many of the city's founders. Its most-visited graves belong to Bruce Lee and his son Brandon, drawing fans from around the world, while the cemetery is also said to be haunted by Princess Angeline, the daughter of Chief Seattle, buried here in 1896. The hilltop grounds give long views toward Lake Washington.
The story
Established in 1872 as the Seattle Masonic Cemetery, this 40-acre hilltop plot was carved out to give the city’s pioneer elite a permanent view of Lake Washington. But over 150 years, the cemetery evolved from a gilded mausoleum for city founders into a pilgrimage site for a very different kind of icon.
The steady stream of visitors doesn't come for the lumber barons. They navigate the winding gravel roads to find two side-by-side red granite headstones in Section 22: martial arts master Bruce Lee and his son Brandon. Just a short walk from them lies Kikisoblu, known to history as Princess Angeline, the eldest daughter of Chief Seattle. Buried here in a canoe-shaped coffin in 1896, local ghost lore insists she never entirely vacated the grounds.
That juxtaposition is what gives Lake View its weird energy. You can stand at the ridge edge staring across the water, stepping between 19th-century industrial dynasty obelisks and fresh flowers laid daily on modern pop-culture shrines.
What it's like
Enter off 15th Avenue East, just past the northern edge of Volunteer Park. Bruce and Brandon Lee's plot is easily picked out by the steady trickle of fans leaving coins, martial arts badges, and fresh oranges on the red stone. It gets busy on weekends, so hit the grounds on a late weekday afternoon when the light hits the eastern slopes and you can search out Princess Angeline’s marker in relative silence before the gates close.
The move: Walk up from Volunteer Park to leave a token at Bruce and Brandon Lee's graves, then find Princess Angeline's marker at dusk.
- 📍 Capitol Hill, Seattle
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 1554 15th Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98112
Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Needle & Thread — Follow up a quiet walk among Capitol Hill's founders by ducking into Tavern Law and picking up the rotary phone to enter this speakeasy.
- Inside Passage — Pair the haunted lore of the cemetery with a turn through a sliding doorway into a dark, creature-filled undersea bar.
- Agua Verde Full Moon Paddle — Swap the cemetery's elevated hilltop view of Lake Washington for night-time paddling down on Portage Bay.
Good to know
Where are Bruce and Brandon Lee located inside the cemetery?
They are buried side-by-side in Section 22, easily identified by two distinct red granite monuments surrounded by a low curved hedge.
Who was Princess Angeline?
Princess Angeline (Kikisoblu) was the eldest daughter of Chief Seattle. She stayed in Seattle despite treaties forcing Native relocation, lived in a waterfront cabin, and was buried here with honors in 1896.
What are the visiting hours?
The grounds are open seven days a week, with the main office operating Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 3 PM. Confirm seasonal gate closure times before visiting.
Is Lake View Cemetery open to the public?
Yes. It is a private, non-profit cemetery, but respectful visitors walking the grounds are welcome daily.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Wikipedia · Official site · historylink.org · seattleterrors.com
last checked: 2026-06-24