The OTHER Presidential visit: Bill Clinton in West Seattle today

2:27 PM: One day after President Obama‘s departure, one of his predecessors paid a much-lower-key visit to Seattle – including a stop here in West Seattle. Thanks to Jerry for the tip on this one. He was walking his dog in Fauntleroy when, he said, he saw some unusual vehicle activity and he swore he saw President Bill Clinton in the back seat of one of the vehicles – he waved, and the man waved back. We just did a bit of searching; nothing in citywide media, but then we found first a Politico story mentioning the former President was fundraising in Seattle today – no specifics – and then these photos posted on Facebook by King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles as proof. The hosts mentioned in that post are the owners of the historic Laurentide estate in Fauntleroy.

5:29 PM: Found a page for this on the Hillary Clinton campaign website, where contribution levels for this event were listed as ranging from $1,000 to $27,000+.

anonyme June 26, 2016 (2:50 pm)

Why is it that visits by Presidents, former Presidents, and wanna be Presidents are never made to Joe Blow in his bungalow, but only to Mr. & Mrs. Manor House? Hmmm.

AMD June 26, 2016 (4:11 pm)

I think the secret service would have a lot of trouble securing the junk piles in the neighbor’s yard. Raccoons make very good supplemental security, but aren’t very good at following orders.

Tim June 26, 2016 (3:11 pm)

I’ve been sitting here on my porch and he hasn’t come by…

Oh well I guess I’ll keep my $100,000 donation for someone else.

Rick June 26, 2016 (3:50 pm)

You’re a million or so short.

Diane June 26, 2016 (4:06 pm)

“Laurentide Estate”? never heard of that; I know it as the Colman Estate; owners are very generous in opening their home for many many many political events; and they opened their home for Colman Estate SW Historic Home tour few years ago; that was really fun; they certainly earned the privilege of having Bill Clinton in the house

WSB June 26, 2016 (4:10 pm)

If you follow the link, which goes to a story written for WSB in 2009 by the late historian Ron Richardson, the estate’s historic name is Laurentide. Numerous other references including HistoryLink. And yes, a Colman family member was its original owner. The Colman name is so common around here (Colman Pool, Colman Dock, etc.) that Laurentide is a more distinctive reference.
- Alan June 26, 2016 (5:06 pm)
  
  There was also more than one “Colman House”. I believe Lawrence Colman built the Laurentide estate and his son Ken Colman had a house directly below it on the beach. Those are two that I am aware of.
  
  Ken Colman was a big fan of saltwater swimming, hence the donation of Colman pool. Both Camp Colman and Seabeck Conference Centers have saltwater lagoon swimming and boating areas for the same reason. If I remember correctly, there was originally a saltwater lagoon where Colman pool is now.
  
  http://historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=7706
  - WSB June 26, 2016 (5:26 pm)
    
    One of the West Seattle murals pays tribute to the original swimming hole there: http://seattlemurals.org/the-old-mud-hole/
    - Alan June 26, 2016 (9:52 pm)
      
      Yes! In the back you see a vague structure which would be the same system that I’ve seen at his other lagoons. There is a culvert that comes in below the surface of the water and then there is a hinged door hanging on the frame. When the tide comes in, it pushes the door open and fills the lagoon with fresh water. When the tide goes out, the water pressure from the lagoon on the door keeps it shut and holds the water in.

Dinah Brein June 26, 2016 (4:27 pm)

I was in front of the theater and saw 3 black cars with flashing lights go by. Cool now I know who was in it.

Carole June 26, 2016 (5:39 pm)

Tim, he missed my place too. And I had a fresh pitcher of ice tea brewed as well. Ah well.

Diane June 26, 2016 (5:51 pm)

yes, I had followed the link and read the 2009 story; just saying, I’d never heard it called that before; thanks for added historic info & links in comments

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