January 28th, 2008 @ 1:06 am by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure
Seattle’s preservation community is locking horns again with the local government, this time concerning a proposed restoration of the King County Courthouse. A $109,000 study ascertaining how much it would cost to reopen windows covered by aluminum panels in the 1960’s was
vetoed by King County Executive Ron Sims. Former Seattle City Council member Peter Steinbrueck responded
with a firm editorial over on Crosscut arguing that the County Council should override the veto.
Historic Seattle is urging members to contact members of the County Council and asking them to support restoration of the Courthouse by overriding the veto. Now that you’re done writing those e-mails, I thought we could all look back to the old King County Courthouse Building. Before the courts moved to the current building in 1917 on Third Avenue, they used this architectural beauty atop First Hill (then known as “Profanity Hill”) beginning in 1890. Unfortunately, it was torn down in the 1930’s. No doubt, Ben Lukoff and I are left thinking “if only we’d kept this building!” All we have now are photographs, like this one from the 1900
Argus. Click on the image for a larger view.
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The old King County Courthouse in 1900.
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January 28th, 2008 @ 3:08 pm
You aren’t going to leave us hanging about the explanation of Profanity Hill or are you?
January 28th, 2008 @ 3:47 pm
Hey, I made it into one of your posts!
Supposedly it was called Profanity Hill because it was so damned steep (pre-regrading, you know) that it was a hell of a walk up to the courthouse, and people were pretty pissed by the time they reached the top.
According to Wikipedia: “The steep climb to the courthouse from downtown legal offices caused such frequent and vociferous complaints that Seattle lawyers nicknamed the area ‘Profanity Hill.’” Seventh and Alder, it says, which would seem to place it just about where the Harborview helipads are today.
Oh, speaking of “if only we’d kept…,” how about the old central library they tore down in the ’50s?
January 29th, 2008 @ 12:53 am
Didi: Looks like Ben’s got my back. Pretty funny about the hill, eh?
Ben: Agreed. That one is certainly on my long list. Saw some pictures of the interior recently, looked great.
Cliffe
January 29th, 2008 @ 5:44 pm
Oh man! What a beautiful building! It’s a shame it got torn down. Typical for Seattle, eh.
BTW, just discovered your site. Just wonderful! Thanks!
January 30th, 2008 @ 2:28 pm
LOL! I love that explanation but see if this were today that story wouldn’t be so as they could just use the hill as a fitness regimine of some sort.