The Roanoke Dock, seen here in the 1930s, was one of several on Mercer Island that accommodated both pleasure and commercial boats. Before 1923, when the first East Channel Bridge was opened at Barnabie Point, the only way to get to the island was by water. The East Channel Bridge was replaced in 1939 with the first floating bridge.

The steamer Dawn, which was called the "Queen of the Lake" and was known for her seaworthiness and reliability, ferried commuters and mail from Mercer Island to Seattle from 1913 to 1939. She was built at the Lake Washington Shipyards at Houghton (present-day Kirkland).

East Seattle Park, in Mercer Island's first community, was a lovely spot for a picnic in 1893. The children in this photo are believed to be students of Allview Heights School, which was built in 1890 in the center of Mercer Island, where the library now stands.

In 1900, Alla Olds (back row, far left) was the teacher at the Youngs Lake School. Olds also was a member of Mercer Island's first family. Her father, Charles, and mother, Agnes, brought Alla and her brother, David, to the island in 1885. Charles bought 123 acres of land with a good stream about midway on the east shore and planted 12 acres of apples. He named the place Appleton. To reach civilization the Oldses had to row to the north end of the island and then over to Leschi.

The first pontoon bridge connecting Mercer Island and the Eastside takes shape in December 1939 with all its floating sections in place. A federal grant ($3,450,000) for the structure came out of the first Public Works Assistance program and was approved in 1937.

The Calkins Hotel was built by C.C. Calkins, a man of grandiose visions for Mercer Island who platted the town of East Seattle and planned to turn it into the place to live in the Pacific Northwest. The beautifully appointed resort hotel was a source of pride for islanders, especially after President Benjamin Harrison stayed there in 1891. Many celebrities and other wealthy people also vacationed there. But the elaborate structure was not destined to last. After suffering several personal tragedies and financial setbacks complicated by the depression of 1893, Calkins left the area for good and his vast island holdings were mortgaged. Then, in 1908, the hotel burned to the ground.