Ray's Boathouse

In 1939 the original owner, Ray Lichtenberger, moved his growing boat rental and bait house to the current location and in 1945 opened a coffee house. By 1952, he’d built the neon sign that flashes “RAY’S” in bold, red letters on the dock overlooking Shilshole Bay at the crossing point to Puget Sound and the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks leading to Lake Washington. Through the 1960s Ray’s operated as both a casual fish-and-chips cafe and boat rental. In 1973, Russ Wohlers, Earl Lasher and Duke Moscrip bought Ray’s Boathouse and quickly refurbished the structure, transforming into a nationally espected seafood restaurant while maintaining its cordial, glad-to-see-you atmosphere. While Moscrip left to pursue their restaurant ventures, Elizabeth Gingrich joined the owner team in 1975 and former Seattle Sonic Jack Sikma joined in 1986.