VintageSeattle.org » 2008 » January -- High-Res Blog Visualizing The Emerald City's Past

January, 2008 Archive

World’s Fair Snapshots 1962 Pt. 1

January 16th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure | 2 Comments » border

Ten million people came through the Seattle’s World Fair from April until October in 1962. One of them had a camera and took these snapshots. I don’t know who the photographer was or precisely on which dates they were taken, but here they are. There are a number of snapshots in this set, so I’m going to split it up into a few parts. This reminds me… if you or anyone close to you has snapshots from the World’s Fair or any Seattle related street scenes from years past, please do send them in so we can all share them. I really love to get glimpses like this from everyday people, it’s a nice alternative to the “official narrative” we’re used to from corporations, newspapers, etc. Click on the images for larger versions.

Candid snapshot from the Seattle World’s Fair (Century 21 Exposition) #1.

Candid snapshot from the Seattle World’s Fair (Century 21 Exposition) #2.

Candid snapshot from the Seattle World’s Fair (Century 21 Exposition) #3.

Candid snapshot from the Seattle World’s Fair (Century 21 Exposition) #4.

Candid snapshot from the Seattle World’s Fair (Century 21 Exposition) #5.

Candid snapshot from the Seattle World’s Fair (Century 21 Exposition) #6.

For Sale: 1415 East Marion St.

January 15th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | 1 Comment » border

The current housing market may be slow, but there are still a number of interesting vintage properties on the market. This past weekend Anna and I packed up the gear and took a walk through the now-selling 1415 East Marion. The home was built in 1900, boasts 4 bed, 2.5 bath, nearly 4000 square feet, and is going for $849,000. The listing states the property is in Capitol Hill, but it’s actually not (boy do those listing agents blur the neighborhood lines or what?). Let’s move right onto the photos. Click on the images for full resolution. By the way, I just installed Photoshop CS3 and I love the new Adobe RAW features. If you’re into HDR photography, give it a look.


Establishing shot of the home from the curb.	Moving closer to the front entry.

The driveway leads along the east side of the home toward the detached garage.	The back of the home where you can see the addition.

Close-up of a pillar support on the front porch.	The front entryway into the home. The hardwood floors are new on the first floor.

The dining room area, to the left is the kitchen, while straight ahead is the “mother-in-law” addition.	The living room is along the front of the house. Like many century old floor plans, the rooms are very chopped up.

This area on the back end of the house was not part of the original home. It is now used as a guest suite.	The bathroom of the guest suite has this oddly placed claw foot tub embedded into the floor.

Light fixtures in the property are impressive.	Close-up of the first floor hardwood floors and skirting board.

A view of the kitchen. Note the painted cabinets and 1970’s era tile (tacky or unique depending on your POV).	Heading up the stairs leads you to this master bedroom.

Also on the second floor is this well lit sun room. Notice the painted hardwood floors.	French doors from the sun room lead to this large porch with view.

Most of the woodwork in the home is original and has been restored.	Zooming in on the tile from the kitchen counter. The look is sure to polarize.

A view from the top of the stairs. On the left is the sun room and straight ahead is the master bathroom.	The master bathroom, complete with one of my favorites — hex tile.

Close-up of the tile work in the bathroom.	On the outside of the home you’ll find this old coal chute.

Seattle Panorama-o-rama 1917

January 14th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure | 1 Comment » border

Dear readers, I have to admit to you that I am dead tired from a jam packed weekend of open houses, sneaking into abandoned properties, and a trip to one very special Capitol Hill mansion that you’re gonna love. I do it all for you so I know you’ll forgive me for taking this day to rest. While resting, we can all appreciate this super cool panoramic shot of the Seattle waterfront from 1917. More on those houses I mentioned above later. For now, let’s take in this 4000 pixel wide shot. Click on the image for the full res goodness.

Seattle waterfront panorama. Copyright Pierson & Co. March 23, 1917. Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

Links To The Past: Week Of January 13

January 14th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Links To The Past | No Comments » border

What’s this? Links To The Past back for a second week. Say it ain’t so! It is so.

Smith Tower Condos: Only The Top 12 Floors
Plans to turn all of Smith Tower in condos have been scaled back, now with just the top 12 floors going condo. The sign of a slow market?
Denny’s Fans Hunger For A Historic Grand Slam In Seattle
Fine fine, the article title is cheeky but I have to admit to getting a chuckle from it. The visibility of the Denny’s Debate widens as the LA Times chimes in.
Restore Vs. Raze
Local Seattle preservationist and author Lawrence Kreisman calls a city without old buildings, a man without a memory. Great read.
School Is Transformed Into Museum, Housing
The Colman School Building has been transformed for a new century. I’m marking this one down for visit.

The Coliseum Theater, A Eulogy

January 13th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | No Comments » border

Hot on the heels of our Remembering The Coliseum Theater recollection from former projectionist Mike Lewis, James Brock wrote in last week on the 102nd birthday of the theater. He wanted to share the eulogy he wrote for the theater after it closed in 1990. I’ve printed it in its entirety along with an image of the building today. (more…)

Upcoming: Film Soup @ NW Film Forum

January 13th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Miscellaneous | No Comments » border

Ryan Davis of the the Northwest Film Forum sent in the following news regarding the upcoming Film Soup feature:

We are presenting a program I thought might catch your interest:
JAN 17, Thursday at 8pm
SEARCH AND RESCUE: FILM SOUP

Film Soup is the second in a series of Search and Rescue collaborations with the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections historical film archive. This eclectic evening is culled from a wide variety of one-of-a-kind, rarely seen films recently restored by the University of Washington Libraries as part of an ongoing effort to save our visual history and make it accessible to the public. The program includes titles like A BIT OF EVERYTHING—FROM PIG RODEO TO WEIRD SCIENCE, DEPENDING ON YOUR POINT OF VIEW, SPOTLIGHT ON ALASKA, and PENGUINS, PUBLIC OPINION LAB, AND OTHER TREATS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON. From home movies of Barrow, Alaska and Saudi Arabia, to amateur footage of Presidents Roosevelt, Truman, and Kennedy, to educational films like FIGHTING SHIPS FOR FIGHTING MEN, Film Soup is the best kind of cinematic soul food you can find. Join us as we imagine the past and remember the future. The screening will include program notes and comments from Nicolette Bromberg, Visual Materials Curator, and Hannah Palin, Film Archives Specialist.

Visit the UW Special Collections Library at http://www.lib.washington.edu/specialcoll/

Tickets and information at nwfilmforum.org.

Still from the film From Pig Rodeo To Weird Science.

Player O The Week: Leon Roberts 1980

January 12th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Old Sport | 2 Comments » border

I know it’s pretty much sacrilege not giving the Player O The Week nod to a Seahawk this week as we head to Green Bay, but I have to return to the early 80’s Mariners baby blue uni’s. You see, the Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals have recently announced they’ll return to their vintage baby blue’s for certain games this coming season. I’ve been calling for them here so let’s hope our Mariners get with the program. Not everyone thinks it’s a great idea, however. Former Blue Jay Lloyd Moseby remarked “the uniform sucked” but he’s OK with it since this decade they’re wearing belted pants. Vintage Seattle Player O The Week is Leon Roberts (with Seattle from 78-80) showing off his stylish blue uni from his 1980 Topps card. Did you know that Roberts led the 1978 Mariners with a .301 batting average and his first hit that year was a grand slam? Now you do. Check out the card and give it a click.

Leon Roberts, Seattle Mariners, Outfield, Topps, 1980.

Reframe: 23rd And Marion

January 11th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Reframe | 4 Comments » border

I’m very pleased to be posting the first user submitted Reframe feature! Ever since I started Vintage Seattle, I’ve been hoping that people would write in with bits of history from their neck of the woods and now this is starting to happen in earnest. Great stuff. Scott Durham of the Central District News Blog wrote in with this Reframe of 23rd and Marion. Take it, Scott:

I’m also a Squire Park resident and thought you might be interested in this picture I found a while back. It shows the building at 23rd & Marion that is currently all boarded up and recently posted “For Sale”. That property was a functional barber shop in OK shape until an out of control car ran into it one night 3 or four years ago. It’s been a mess ever since, and now I assume it and the neighboring property will sell and be replaced by townhomes.

And now that I look at the picture more closely, I see something in the distance that doesn’t exist in our current world. If you look up Marion, you see the Immaculate Conception Church as it exists today. Move across the horizon to the left and there’s an outline of a large building, directly above the white awning of the grocery. I can’t imagine what that could be. Perhaps it existed on the property that now has the DSHS complex across Cherry from Providence Hospital.

Here’s two pictures - one repeats the historical scene, and one focuses on the grocery property itself. Why would anyone ever remove the nice high gables from the attached house? It boggles the mind, especially since the original house appears to have matched the row of historical Victorians that still exist on the west side of 23rd.

Scott Durham
January 7, 2008

Marion St. looking west from 23rd Ave., June 12, 1920. Image courtesy Library of Congress, U.S. Copyright Office. University of Washington Libraries. Special Collections Division.

The same shot reframed in January 2007. Image courtesy Scott Durham.

Close-up of what used to be a corner grocery store, more recently a barber shop. Image courtesy Scott Durham.

Boots, Shoes, and Rubbers

January 10th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Vintage Ads | 7 Comments » border

One of my favorite record covers of all time is this Bo Diddley album from the early 60’s. It partially inspired me to become interested in buying a stylish pair of cowboys boots. However, every time I saw a pair for sale — that price tag! A couple hundred bucks for a pair… it was just too much for me. All the while my girlfriend kept making fun of the idea. A year passed and just last month she ended up buying a very similar looking pair of boots. What’s the point of all this? Well, there was some level of vindication there. But more importantly, this nearly interesting story brings us back to this early 1900’s advertisement I came across. It’s advertising boots from the Washington Shoe Manufacturing Company, one of Seattle’s oldest continually running businesses. L.B. Allain founded the company in January, 1891 opening the city’s first shoe factory at 807 Western Ave. And you can still buy from them today. Check out the ad and click on it for more res.

The Washington Shoe Manufacturing Company. Seattle, U.S.A. Wholesale Mfgrs. and Dealers Boots, Shoes, and Rubbers. Three beauties in tan color. Quality the very best. Fine dress shoes in all popular leathers.

For Sale: New 20th Ave Craftsman x3

January 9th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | 6 Comments » border

I usually stick to historic, or at least older, homes when I tour and highlight properties that are on the Seattle housing market. However, this house (actually, group of homes) is an exception. They are three Craftsman style houses just built on 20th Ave in my Squire Park neighborhood — and boy are they impressive. The property that I toured at 533 20th Ave very closely resembles my dream house (though it’s much larger than I’d want or need). The other two houses, which share the same floorplan, are right next door and also coming on the market as their construction finishes up. I must say that if I were paying that much for a house, I would not want two duplicate copies next door. But for now let’s concentrate on 533. This dark blue classic looking Craftsman is 4,000 square feet, 3 bed, 3.5 bath, and going for $879,000. You can see in the images that the finish work is top notch. Give it a look and hit the listing here if you’re in the market. Click on the images for high-res copies.


The home as viewed from the curb. The rare detached garage is a welcome selling point. You can see from Live Maps that two houses were demolished to erect these three houses.	A closer view of the front of the home. The dark blue paint color contrasts the white trim very well.

Moving around to the back of the home, you can see the other two homes for sale. All three share the same floor plan but have different finishes.	The back patio. Notice the decorative woodwork above the French doors.

The back yard is elevated and held in place with this large rock retaining wall. The yard is rather small.	Stepping into the home from the front. Directly to the right as you enter is this den/office.

Unlike most modern floorplans, this living room has wall space for a television and entertainment center. There is also crown molding throughout the first floor.	The dining room leads from the living room. The paint color, trim, and vintage-inspired lighting fixtures all work well together.

Everything in the kitchen is also very impressive, from the fixtures to cabinetry. It’s very difficult to find fault in the decorating choices.	I was impressed with how true the first floor bathroom was to a traditional Craftsman style. The pedestal sink and hex tile are beautiful.

Let’s take the stairs up to the second floor to see if it’s as nice as the first.	And from the looks of this second floor bathroom, it is. Having a window and recessed lighting by the bath are great features.

The master bathroom is just as impressive as the other two, if not more.	The vaulted master bedroom looks out onto 20th Ave. I do wish the upstairs had hardwoods rather than carpeting.

Past Post: Sunset On Elliott Bay 1908

January 8th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Past Post | 2 Comments » border

Oh I think you know what time it is. That’s right, vintage postcard time right about now. This 1908 card shows Elliott Bay at sunset with our writer impressed. The hand-tint reminds me a lot of this card of a stormy Lake Washington from 1913. And as we know from past tints, we have to look closely to see if the sunset was indeed there in the photo or a creative liberty. In this case it looks to be legitimate. Click on the postcard for a larger view.

Isn’t this a beautifuy scenery
Leo

Front: 164 — Sunset On Elliott Bay, Seattle, Washington. Edward H. Mitchell, Publisher, San Francisco.

Back: Postcard sent May 30, 1908 to St Louis, Missouri.

Seattle, The Nation’s Most Beautiful City Pt. 2

January 7th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure | 4 Comments » border

What’s more beautiful than a floating bridge? Last month we had a look at some vintage 1961 aerial photography from the “Seattle The Nation’s Most Beautiful City” pamphlet. Today we’re continuing with Part 2 in the series, this time showing the Lake Washington Floating Bridge, Green Lake, downtown waterfront, and University of Washington Arboretum. While the bridge may not be beautiful in an aesthetic sense, I’d say the other three shots are. Keep in mind that the captions are also circa ‘61. Thanks once again to John Chilson of Stumptown Confidential for kindly donating the ephemera. Click on the images for high-res versions.

The 6,561-foot-long Lake Washington Floating Bridge, a part of U.S. Highway No. 10, is busy with traffic. In the background are the Cascade Mountains. This toll-free bridge is composed of 25 floating pontoons, each held with two 65-ton anchors. The Bridge is the largest floating structure in the world.

One of the most picturesque sections entirely within Seattle is the Green Lake area in the heart of the residential north end. A natural fresh water lake nearly a mile across, Green Lake is ringed within a park of trees, rolling lawn and two swimming beaches. In aerial photo wooded area bordering Green Lake is Woodland Park, noted for its large zoo and formal rose gardens.

An aerial shot of the Seattle waterfront and downtown.

The 267-acre University of Washington Arboretum contains more than 2,000 species of trees, shrubs and flowers. Dominating this scene are the colorful flowering quince. In May the Arboretum is alive with the blooms of rhododendrons. Recently an authentic Japanese teahouse was built in the Arboretum.

Links To The Past: Week Of January 6

January 6th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Links To The Past | 1 Comment » border

Links To The Past is finally back after weeks of very little preservation news. Onward.

Sunset Bowl To Close In April
This 50+ year old Ballard bowling institution is making way for (can you see where this is going?) apartments.
Score One For Googie
The Norton Building and Ballard Denny’s are being heard for official landmark designation today.
Landmarks Board: Former Ballard Denny’s Worth Saving
The PI weights in on the “Great Googie Debate” as well as the developers. Guess what they say?

Rainier Stock House Coming Down

January 6th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | No Comments » border

Shawn Sullivan from Sabey sent us word that we thought we might be seeing. The Rainier Stock House, part of the historic Rainier Cold Storage Complex being re-developed, is indeed in its last days. Here is the update:

4 Jan 2008 Update

Here’s the latest on the Stock House demolition. After an inspection of the building and review of the matter, the City’s Dept. of Planning & Development (DPD) notified us at 3pm yesterday of their initial decision. After working through some scope of work and timing questions, they granted us an emergency permit to demolish the Stock House today at 1pm. Please see the City’s press release which is expected this afternoon. All understood that this situation was serious, but it had only recently grown to the critical stage. We are reviewing the effect on the North West Wall and will come to a consensus with the City on it next week. The focus is on a safe break point to allow the demolition of the Stock House. We tentatively anticipate external demo work over the weekends Jan. 12-13 and 19-21 to minimize weekday traffic interruption while still allowing us to stage the work safely. This will require shut down of Airport Way from Vale to Doris during those days. That plan will be finalized early to mid-week next week. The full job will take about 8 weeks to complete, but the perilous portions are scheduled to be completed by the end of Martin Luther King Day weekend. After Jan. 21, demolition work will continue, but will be safely on the property site and not affect traffic flows. Should we encounter unforeseen conditions, there may be changes to the plan, but this is what we know at this time. We’ll provide updates when we have the information and will provide neighborhood notices so that all can be informed.

This will be a goodbye to a building who had an honorable life, but whose time has come. The building’s “road hard and put away wet” life is certainly the culprit. This outcome is inevitable for all in this world, but it’s sad nonetheless. Hoist one in her honor if you are so inclined.

Regarding the remainder of the North West Wall, this matter will remain on the previous landmarks path requiring their consent. I’ll be able to update you on that next week.

North wall adjacent to the Stock House.

Past Post: Seatac & Hyatt House Hotel

January 5th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Past Post | 5 Comments » border

For those of you who endured travel hell at the airport during the holidays, please forgive me. I’d hate to drudge up bad memories so soon, but this Past Postcard entry is dedicated to none other than Seatac Airport. The first card touts the $11 million airport renovation from 1949. The second card shows a model for the “world’s first fly-in hotel” — The Hyatt House Hotel, which was right next to the airport. The hotel opened in 1960 and actually just closed down (it was then the Radisson Hotel Seattle Airport) two years ago. According to this news story from the PI, the Hyatt House was a hangout for a number of famous musicians and movie stars over the years. Click on the images for full resolution.

Front: Seattle-Tacoma Airport.

Back: The new $11,000,000.00 Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, now serving the United States, Alaska and the Orient.

Front: The Hyatt House Hotel

Back: World’s First Fly-In Hotel. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Seattle, Washington. 125 new luxurious rooms –heated olympic size pool — banquet, dining, lounge and 24-hour coffee shop — beauty and barber shops — televisions and radio in every room — free transportation to and from Airport.