WWI Living Road of Remembrance
Planting the American Elm trees along the Living Road of Remembrance, 1922. 
Marshall Ferdinand Foch, Commander in Chief of all Allied armies in France; Mrs. Alexander McEwen, Seattle Garden Club; and Brigadier General Alexander, Camp Lewis – planting a tree along Des Moines Memorial Drive – photo courtesy City of Burien 
The old red brick road of the Living Road of Remembrance and the original elm trees on the property of Sunnydale School, 1950s. 
Historic photo of the tree-lined Living Road of Remembrance, from the archives of the Museum of History and Industry. 
American Legion Post 134 and Legion Auxiliary gathered on Memorial Day 2014 at the Memorial Wall in front of the old Sunnydale School, along the Living Road of Remembrance. 
WWI Living Road Of Remembrance
Mike Kelly established a homestead at the current intersection of S. 156th and Des Moines Memorial Drive, in Burien, Washington. He cut a road through to the Duwamish River to gain access to the Seattle Public Market. He started a school at his homestead site that became known today as Sunnydale Elementary School. Little did Mike know that his road would be paved with red bricks and became known as Highway 14. His wife Jane lived to see the elm trees planted along Highway 14 to honor the fallen of World War I. Today, Mike’s road is known as Des Moines Memorial Drive.
Latest Blog Post
- Des Moines Memorial Drive is now a Blue Star Memorial Highway
A ceremony was held on president’s Day, 16 February 2026, at the flag triangle located at the southern end of Des Moines Memorial Drive, dedicating a plaque designating the drive as a Blue Star Memorial Highway. Blue Star Memorial Highways are marked to pay tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces. The National Council of State… Read more: Des Moines Memorial Drive is now a Blue Star Memorial Highway
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