In 1969, Ivar Haglund (1905-1985), the Seattle restaurateur known as "King of the Waterfront," opens the Salmon House Restaurant at the north end of Lake Union.
Haglund at first planned a floating restaurant on the site of the old Wayland Mill on the north side of Lake Union, but permit problems and the fact that floating restaurants in Seattle tended to sink, compelled him to consider a shore-based operation.
He received inspiration from the design and operation of a Native American lodge near Poulsbo where large groups of people were served salmon cooked over an alderwood fire. He planned a similar structure with a simplified menu consisting of a few salmon dishes prepared over a central fire and served on paper plates. There would be no liquor and no other food items offered. Haglund researched Puget Sound tribal cultures and he acquired artifacts and wood carvings to decorate his Salmon House.
Haglund tried out this novel approach on 200 Chamber of Commerce visitors who arrived on the excursion vessel Virginia V. Passengers gathered around an alderwood fire, but complications developed. Wet wood combined with a poorly placed ceiling fan forced hungry guests out of the building, gasping for air and reeking of smoke. After switching to dry wood and a new fan, Haglund opened for business, but the simple presentation did not succeed.
The Salmon House closed for six months and when it reopened it was a full-service restaurant.
