Cemeteries: We pass by them almost every day. In some cases, we may even walk through them without even knowing that graves lie beneath our feet.

But cemeteries don’t just provide a link to the people who have lived here before us; they provide a glimpse into the history of Seattle itself. How did the cemeteries come to be? Why were they built where they were built? Which cemeteries are still standing, and which aren’t? What happens when Seattle outgrows its allotted cemetery space, like we did in the 1880s?

Let's take a look at some of the Seattle-area's most notable cemeteries—whether they have an exciting backstory, a deep history, or just some high-profile graves—and see what we can learn. You may never see the Moore Theater the same way again.