Overview

Des Moines Memorial Drive is an 8 mile stretch of road that winds through the Highline Communities of what are now Burien, SeaTac and Des Moines.

In 1921, over 1,400 elm trees were planted to honor Washington citizens who died serving in World War I. The counsels of England, France, Italy and Belgium attended that original ceremony as well as two French Generals.

The Drive runs through three cities and King County. These jurisdictions, veterans groups, historical societies, and citizens came together to craft a plan to restore the honor of this road dedicated to World War I fallen. The Corridor Management Plan, developed by Susan Black and Associates, is embedded into each jurisdiction’s comprehensive planning documents, and guides our work

Des Moines Memorial Drive celebrates our freedoms by honoring those heroes who in WWI paid the ultimate sacrifice so future generations could live in peace—the war to end all wars.  Just like the residents along the Drive today, the WWI army was made up of Europeans, Asians, Hispanics immigrants, African Americans and  Native Americans.  It remains so to this day with 54% non-white, 46% white with 25% being foreign born.  We invite you to read this history as we add content pages to honor those who valued peace for the future more than their own lives.