Why you should experience Hat n' Boots in Seattle, Washington.
Hat n' Boots is an iconic roadside landmark where Georgetown's industrial creativity, mid-century Americana, and Seattle's preservation spirit converge around one of the city's most whimsical public artworks.
Set along Corson Avenue South near South Michigan Street and just steps from Oxbow Park, this instantly recognizable landmark anchors Georgetown's eclectic character, where oversized folk art, industrial heritage, and neighborhood imagination have transformed an ordinary streetscape into one of Seattle's most photographed destinations. The towering cowboy hat, brightly painted cowboy boots, landscaped public space, and surrounding murals celebrate an era when bold roadside attractions captured the imagination of motorists exploring the American West. Carefully restored after decades of neglect, the landmark continues to embody Georgetown's enduring appreciation for history, creativity, and unconventional public spaces. The result is a destination defined by playful nostalgia, community preservation, and unmistakable local character.
What you should know about Hat n' Boots.
Hat n' Boots is best known for originating as a 1954 Western-themed gas station, where the 44-foot cowboy hat served as the service station canopy and the pair of 22-foot cowboy boots functioned as public restrooms, creating one of America's most extraordinary examples of programmatic roadside architecture during the golden age of automobile travel.
Commissioned by Premium Tex owner Emil Anderson and designed by artist Lewis Nasmyth, the attraction became an instantly recognizable roadside landmark as automobile tourism flourished across the United States. Following the station's closure, the structures deteriorated for decades before an ambitious community preservation effort relocated and restored them in nearby Oxbow Park in 2003. Their survival represents a remarkable victory for grassroots historic preservation, safeguarding one of the Pacific Northwest's most distinctive examples of mid-century roadside design. Today, Hat n' Boots remains a celebrated symbol of Georgetown's creative identity and Seattle's commitment to preserving unconventional pieces of its cultural history.
How to fold Hat n' Boots into your trip.
Hat n' Boots is best experienced as the centerpiece of a late-morning exploration of Georgetown's industrial heritage, public art, and independent creative culture before spending the afternoon discovering one of Seattle's most distinctive neighborhoods.
Begin at Oxbow Park, where Hat n' Boots immediately establishes Georgetown's playful personality before wandering through the surrounding public green space and neighborhood streets. Continue toward Georgetown Steam Plant, where one of the nation's best-preserved early steam power stations reveals the industrial foundations that shaped the neighborhood's remarkable history. From there, make your way to Georgetown Trailer Park Mall, where rotating artist installations, handmade creations, and imaginative public exhibits provide a fitting conclusion to a day celebrating Georgetown's enduring creative spirit. Along the route you'll encounter colorful murals, independent galleries, neighborhood cafés, historic brick buildings, locally owned shops, and welcoming public spaces that demonstrate how Hat n' Boots seamlessly connects mid-century roadside Americana with one of Seattle's most inventive artistic communities. The progression moves naturally from beloved roadside landmark to grand industrial relic to celebrated artist collective, revealing why Hat n' Boots remains one of Seattle's most unforgettable cultural landmarks.
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