Today, the section of the Island that includes Slater Park, Calkins Landing, Garfield Landing, and Proctor Landing is called the “birthplace of Mercer Island as a community” by the Mercer Island Historical Society. It began in 1887, when C.C. Calkins began buying land on the Island to create a mostly residential community free from industry. He built a hotel near the ferry dock to attract residents of Seattle to Mercer Island. Visitors flocked to the hotel and they grew to love the small community that included rental cottages, a couple homes, a ferry dock, a store, school, church, post office, and dance hall. His story is acknowledged on a historical sign in Slater Park.

Today, East Seattle is also home to the Boys and Girls Club. The club provides so much to the community including child care, music classes, athletics, after school programs, hosting school dances, no school day programs, teen leadership programs and summer camps.

Other landmarks in the East Seattle Neighborhood include Calkins Landing, Garfield Landing and Proctor Landing. These locations offer natural green space, waterfront, and beaches.