West Seattle, Here I Come
February 29th, 2008 @ 12:12 am by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure
I’m moving to West Seattle tomorrow! When I told Vintage Seattle key contributor Deran Ludd, he kindly sent me these turn of the century picture postcards of Luna Park in West Seattle. Long before Fun Forest, there was Luna Park — nicknamed the “Coney Island of the west.” It opened in June of 1907 and the forces of moralism and scandal shut her down in 1913. Back to present day… West Seattle, here I come! Let’s hope the moving process is more efficient than the mortgage process has been and let’s hope the dead whale carcass is kept to a minimum. Again, special thanks to Deran Ludd for the photos (Deran is going to be opening a Yesler blog soon, so keep an eye out for that).
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| Luna Park’s dancing pavilion and summer garden. Photograph courtesy Deran Ludd. |
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| Luna Park circa 1908. Photograph courtesy Deran Ludd. |
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| A view from above the park. Photograph courtesy Deran Ludd. |
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| A 100 ton whale on exhibit at Luna Park, 1907. Photograph courtesy Deran Ludd. |
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| Luna Park snapshot, 1908. Photograph courtesy Deran Ludd. |
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| Luna Park snapshot, 1908. Photograph courtesy Deran Ludd. |
February 29th, 2008 @ 7:17 am
Welcome to the neighborhood!
February 29th, 2008 @ 8:58 am
You can see why Luna Park faded away into oblivion by the look of “fun” on the faces of those pictured in the car.
February 29th, 2008 @ 10:27 am
Infant Electrobator !? I don’t want to know.
February 29th, 2008 @ 7:53 pm
Welcome!
February 29th, 2008 @ 8:31 pm
I love the dancing pavilion’s design!
February 29th, 2008 @ 9:37 pm
well gosh, you should have said something sooner, we would have organized a welcome party. plenty of history here - you can probably just take up residence at the Log House Museum and find plenty of fodder there. good luck with the move!
February 29th, 2008 @ 10:23 pm
Hey…welcome to our little corner of the world. West Seattle has got to be the best place to live for miles around….please use us to answer any questions…and make sure you visit the West Seattle Blog often
February 29th, 2008 @ 11:27 pm
Thanks a lot! I’ve already been commenting on how I’ve felt much more welcome coming to West Seattle than any other place I’ve lived. Really looking forward to it. As for now, more packing! No fun, but I’ll be glad when the move is all over.
Cliffe
March 1st, 2008 @ 7:34 am
Welcome to West Seattle! I’ve been here since 1994 and am very happy here!
Time to explore your blog now.
I’m curious if your dogs are purebred or mixed breed. They resemble Tibetan Terriers, but it’s hard to tell just from a headshot. (I have two TTs (as well as 4 cats))
March 1st, 2008 @ 8:03 am
Thanks, DaPuffin. The grey one (Scarf) is purebred Havanese. The white one (Sticky) is 3/4 Havanese and 1/4 Tibetan Terrier. Nice catch! I’m impressed. Sticky likes giving our cats baths, it’s pretty funny.
Cliffe
March 1st, 2008 @ 8:34 am
I’m sure there’s a good story behind the name “Sticky.”
March 1st, 2008 @ 8:40 am
It’s actually his middle name, but we just call him by that usually. Anna wanted his middle name to be “Stinky” but I thought that was too derogatory. So we compromised with “Sticky.” Yes, we are insane.
Cliffe
March 1st, 2008 @ 8:49 am
Ah… the cats in our home clowder are collectively called “stanks,” and we consider it a loving term. As in, they’re so cute, they stank (stink). Mani, our male TT is also known as “Bug.” Sanity is highly overrated.
March 1st, 2008 @ 9:09 am
Except for a short stint in California I have lived in West Seattle all of my life (since 1946). Both my husband’s family and mine have deep roots in this community. The fact that we are still here is a testimony to the life enjoyed in this part of the world. It is a great place to live and raise your children.
As for Luna Park, I heard years ago that it burned to the ground. Possibly it was arson. Maybe someone else can confirm this information.
If you are looking for a good church, visit Westside Presbyterian at California Ave SW and Spokane. It is another good way to meet the people and find community.
Welcome to West Seattle.
March 7th, 2008 @ 10:53 pm
Welcome to West Seattle! I love your blog.