VintageSeattle.org

All right 1930’s fans, I think you’ll like this one. Check out this incredible art deco style abstract take on the Olympic Hotel. This 1924 built Seattle institution is still operating, as is the Sorrento Hotel (did you see the recent PI article on it?). I’m looking to hit both soon with my camera. Anyone have any contacts at either that could give me a good tour? Regardless, click on this beauty to see more.

Front: Olympic Hotel. Seattle, Washington.

Back: Olympic Hotel, Seattle. Printed in U.S.A. by Lumbermens, Seattle.

Let’s get away from the past few days of dilapidation and concentrate on something brighter — 1970’s Mariner baby blue bright. Player O The Week is Dave Collins, who holds the distinction of being the first Mariner ever to step up to the plate. Though he only spent one season in Seattle, Collins enjoyed a 16 year career in the majors as a utility player. Click on Dave for a full view.

Dave Collins, Seattle Mariners, Outfield, Topps, 1978.

We’re rolling on with Part 2 of our look inside the historic 1522 E Jefferson Carmack House. If you haven’t yet, first check out the exterior shots I posted way back when, as well as Part 1 of the interior shots. A few people have asked what the current status of the property is. The last I heard (this was a few months ago) from someone at the home’s estate is that it will either be moved (the Oregon coast was the rumor at that point), preserved, or torn down. The whole block of homes was bought and torn down years ago to make way for a parking lot next to the Swedish Providence parking garage. This lot is now being built up as an addition to the parking garage. Knowing that Sabey might pay top dollar for this last remaining holdout property and that it was historic, the estate had the home up for sale in the million plus dollar range. From what I understand, it is still unsold. Let’s move on to Part 2 of the interior photographs. Click on the thumbnails for higher-res copies.

These stairs lead from the ground floor to the second floor.	Looking back down to the ground floor landing.
A bit of cracked molding.	The hardware on the second floor is less ornate than the first floor.
Second floor hallway and stairwell.	Opposite angle of the bannister.
The nails keeping the windows closed could not keep us from admiring this home.	The downtown Seattle skyline through window. This view is now a concrete wall, thanks to the new Swedish Providence parking garage addition.
One half of the master bedroom, along the front of the home.	The other half of the master bedroom, complete with bay window and archway.
The bay window detail.	Looks like Sheldon and I forgot to wipe our feet.
Typical of houses this age, even the heating vents are richly detailed.	Pieces of the plaster walls falling apart.
Second floor bathroom.	Toilet detail from the bathroom.
A second floor bedroom toward the back of the home.	Another smaller bedroom in the home. The mothballs provided the home’s fragrance.
Close-up of hardwood floor wear.	Door with a key still in the keyhole.
Many light fixtures have seen better days. Most still worked though.	You know how much I love the hardware.
Heading up the stairwell to the third floor.	This third floor room had magazines strewn about, many from the 1950’s and 1960’s. I noted one Time Magazine issue profiling Kennedy and Khrushchev.
More detail of a heating vent.	Wall and ceiling peeling away.
Wider angle view of the second floor bathroom.	Alternate angle of the second floor bedroom.
Window and wall detail.	Light coming through a second floor window.
More second floor door hardware.	Another view of a door with key.

One of the very first historic Seattle homes I profiled (see that original post for exterior shots) here at Vintage Seattle was 1522 E. Jefferson. I was interested in this property for a number of reasons. First of all, it was right across the street from my house. I saw it every day, glaring with neglect and some amazing potential bubbling from under the surface. The other reason was that the home is historically significant — it was once home to George Carmack, one of the fathers of the Klondike Gold Rush. The exterior was so intriguing that Vintage Seattle reader Daniel Sheldon and I recently saddled up to gain access to the home. It smelled of mothballs, looked like the set of a horror film, and was a really interesting time capsule. You can see just how great this home once was, with alterations being few and far between. Have a look for yourself. I’ve got more photos, so I’m breaking this into Part 1 today showing the first floor. Check out Part 2 for more photos of the second and third floors. Click on the thumbnails for higher-res versions.

This stairwell and millwork are revealed as you enter the home.	The view from the front living area. Notice the fireplace detail.
Close-up of the incredible hardware.	Paint chips away from the molding. MDF, this is not.
The formal dining room, looking toward the back of the home.	Opposite angle of the dining room, looking toward the front of the home. Interesting place for a toilet.
Dining room light fixture.	The pocket doors leading to the dining room are in remarkably good shape.
This room was either used as an eating area or family room.	Among the kitchen’s built-in cabinets is this later-era sink.
Close-up of the kitchen sink.	A peek inside the kitchen drawers.
This large piano sits in the front living room.	Some keys are permanently depressed.
The front reception area showing mill work, looking into the living area.	Opposite angle of the room outside the small kitchen.
12-over-1 double hung sash in late day light.	The first floor hardwoods.
Light filters in through the front door.	A few stained-glass windows decorate the ground floor.
Another look at the trim from the kitchen doorway.	Close-up of kitchen light fixture.

The Frederick & Nelson ghost sign on the Van Vorst Building may be disappearing, but this vintage ad is sticking around. It’s a bit of Century 21 Expo co-branding from a 1962 World’s Fair magazine. You can see an artist’s take on the old Monorail terminal (see here) as well as the flagship Frederick & Nelson store building (now occupied by Nordstrom). Click on the image for a better view.

1962 ad for Frederick & Nelson during the World’s Fair.

The cottage home revival is upon us! Modeled after the bungalow court just down the street, this Central Area cottage home is now for sale. At $400,000 this 2005 built home features 960 square feet, 2 bed, 1.5 bath, no HOA dues, bamboo floors, soapstone counters, parking, stainless steel appliances, and is within walking distance to downtown. Check out the listing here, the home’s website here, or contact Debra Hamilton directly at 425-890-7932 if you are interested. Oh, and one more thing: I’m the one selling it!

A view of the front of the home from E Jefferson St.

The side of the corner lot from 16th Ave.

The wide open living room and kitchen area.

Closer look at the kitchen.

Master bedroom with plentiful natural light and vaulted ceiling.

Second bedroom set up for office use.

Second floor bathroom with light filtering through from the shower.

Sit down and relax in your new cottage home.

Detailed look at the kitchen fixtures.

The home features bamboo flooring throughout.

Ah hell naw, Dawg? Ah hell yes, Dawg! Sorry — had to get that out of my system. In the past we’ve explored Vintage Vegas and Chicag-ey. Now I want to draw your attention to Doug Dawgz Blog covering vintage Oklahoma City. Where Didi and I post piecemeal, Doug lays down the epic posts. Case in point: this stockyard post. Check it out and don’t be afraid to add it to your bookmarks. Here are two panoramic views of Oklahoma City from 1910. Oh and Doug, no bad blood with your city stealing our Sonics away. Seriously.

Panoramic view of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma circa 1910. Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

Panoramic view of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma circa 1910. Haines Photo Co.; April 21, 1910. Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

Just to get three different spellings in this post, I’m going to go with Leschi Park. So there! Here are two slightly different angles of the same dock at Leschi, the first being sent in 1911 and the second undated. The photos were probably not taken on the same day — I can spot a few differences. Give them a click and have a good Friday.

Front: Boating At Leshi Park, Seattle, Wash.

Back: No. 5105 Portland Post Card Co., Portland, Ore, & Seattle, Wash. Made in Germany.

Front: Lake Washington, Leishi Park, Seattle, Washington, showing crowds of pleasure seekers.

Back:

Today we’re also serving up this vintage ad from the December 1900 Argus newspaper for Moore Investment Co. Pictured next to the firm’s properties is J.A. Moore, perhaps best known for originally developing most of Capitol Hill. In July of 1900, he paid $225,000 for 160 acres of what would become the hill. Check out this article from the Washington State Historical Society for more on the purchase and naming of Capitol Hill. Interesting stuff! Give the thumbnail a click to investigate.

Moore Investment Co. The Argus, December 22, 1900. Vol. 7 no. 46.

We’ve seen it recently with E Pine on Capitol Hill. Now we can also watch as the older buildings giving South Lake Union its industrial soul slowly disappear. Last month I updated on the C.B. Van Vorst Building’s “new life,” but that new life won’t be much like the old life apparently. Check out these photos sent in by VS reader John Methot, who works across the street from the Van Vorst. Mike Nelson, senior vice president and investment director at developer Schnitzer Northwest was quoted as saying “One of our challenges was how to incorporate that historic landmark into a biotech project in a meaningful way that would give it new life.” Give me a break. Looks like the challenges were too much for them, since they’re going all “Burke Building” on us, saving only the front face. Thanks to John Methot for sending in the photos.

What remains of the south and east faces of the Van Vorst Building? Only Nelson. Photograph courtesy John Methot.

The building to the north of the Van Vorst has already been demolished. Photograph courtesy John Methot.

The wood-frame Seattle Glass Company building has also bitten the dust. Photograph courtesy John Methot.

Alternate angle of the building destruction. Photograph courtesy John Methot.

Though the enrollment number is a touch out of date (it’s now up past 30k), the imagery stands up in this 1941 vintage postcard showing the University of Washington and Seattle Yacht Club. The succinct card was sent from Marie and John to the Lochner Family of Baltimore, Maryland. The front shows a linen-era hand-tinted Asahel Curtis photo. Click on the image for more resolution.

Front: University Of Washington And Seattle Yacht Club, Seattle, Washington. Showing Mt. Baker In Distance.

Back: The University of Washington was founded in 1861, just ten years after Seattle was settled. It has a 583 acre campus and now boasts an enrollment of more than 10,000 students. Lake Washington, shown to the left, is one of the three large fresh water lakes located within the city limits. Postcard sent 1941 to Baltimore, Maryland.

This is a slight change to the Player O The Week Feature, this time getting to know an old Mariner’s coach. Del Crandall was not with our club for long (just 83-84), but also enjoyed success as a player from the late 40’s until late 60’s. Crandall coached the Brewers from 72-75 and between this and his Mariners coaching career, spent time as a door-to-door salesman selling tooth cleanings, fillings, and root canals in Southern California. As an “old school” manager, Crandall did not permit his players to wear beards and required ties to be worn on the road. Stylish eyewear, however, was just fine. Here are some candid shots from the ‘84 season.

Del Crandall striking a pose on the diamond, 1984.

Crandall picks up some lumber during Mariners practice.

Coaching during a spring training game, 1984.

Tim Ellis of the Seattle Bubble Blog sent me this quaint Cold War-era Seattle Civil Defense Manual circa 1951 explaining how exactly to survive an atomic bomb. Specifics include how to build your own personal bomb shelter, tips for the aftermath of a blast (”wait at least one hour to give lingering radiation some chance to die down!”), which areas/landmarks would be hit first (no harshing on Tacoma and Everett!), how it kills you, and more. The pamphlet is rounded out with a long list of “subversive organizations” from the House Un-American Activities Committee. I don’t see France on the list. We can start mining the rich irony in the comments. How many modern day parallels can YOU draw? Thanks for sending this in, Tim.

Seattle Civil Defense Manual including “The Atom Bomb And Your Survival,” 1951. Page 1.	Seattle Civil Defense Manual including “The Atom Bomb And Your Survival,” 1951. Page 2.
Seattle Civil Defense Manual including “The Atom Bomb And Your Survival,” 1951. Page 3.	Seattle Civil Defense Manual including “The Atom Bomb And Your Survival,” 1951. Page 4.
Seattle Civil Defense Manual including “The Atom Bomb And Your Survival,” 1951. Page 5.	Seattle Civil Defense Manual including “The Atom Bomb And Your Survival,” 1951. Page 6.
Seattle Civil Defense Manual including “The Atom Bomb And Your Survival,” 1951. Page 7.	Seattle Civil Defense Manual including “The Atom Bomb And Your Survival,” 1951. Page 8.
Seattle Civil Defense Manual including “The Atom Bomb And Your Survival,” 1951. Page 9.	Seattle Civil Defense Manual including “The Atom Bomb And Your Survival,” 1951. Page 10.
Seattle Civil Defense Manual including “The Atom Bomb And Your Survival,” 1951. Page 11.	Seattle Civil Defense Manual including “The Atom Bomb And Your Survival,” 1951. Page 12.
Seattle Civil Defense Manual including “The Atom Bomb And Your Survival,” 1951. Page 13.	Seattle Civil Defense Manual including “The Atom Bomb And Your Survival,” 1951. Page 14.
Seattle Civil Defense Manual including “The Atom Bomb And Your Survival,” 1951. Page 15.	Seattle Civil Defense Manual including “The Atom Bomb And Your Survival,” 1951. Page 16.
Seattle Civil Defense Manual including “The Atom Bomb And Your Survival,” 1951. Page 17.	Seattle Civil Defense Manual including “The Atom Bomb And Your Survival,” 1951. Page 18.
Seattle Civil Defense Manual including “The Atom Bomb And Your Survival,” 1951. Page 19.	Seattle Civil Defense Manual including “The Atom Bomb And Your Survival,” 1951. Page 20.
Seattle Civil Defense Manual including “The Atom Bomb And Your Survival,” 1951. Page 21.	Seattle Civil Defense Manual including “The Atom Bomb And Your Survival,” 1951. Page 22.
Seattle Civil Defense Manual including “The Atom Bomb And Your Survival,” 1951. Page 23.	Seattle Civil Defense Manual including “The Atom Bomb And Your Survival,” 1951. Page 24.

And we’re back! My home office is now set up (well, functional at least) so we can get back on track here. The non-stop action continues, as my father flies into town for a weekend trip today. If the new house didn’t have a guest bedroom, he might just be staying at the Holiday Inn Sea-Tac (no, not really) because it’s actually still standing — scope the pictures here. I’m pretty sure the International House is also still around but now known as the Jet Motel. Can anyone confirm? Click on the images for higher-resolution.

Front: Holiday Inn Sea-Tac Seattle, Wash.

Back: Holiday Inn Sea-Tac. 17338 Pacific Hwy. S. (US 99) Seattle, Washington 98188. Phone (206) 248-1000. 260 rooms, Heated Pool, Color TV, Top O’ the Inn Cocktail Lounge, Top O’ the Inn Revolving Restaurant, Country Kettle Coffee Shop, Banquet & Meeting Facilities up to 450.

Front: International House Motor Hotel, Seattle.

Back: International House Motor Hotel. 17300 Pacific Highway South. Seattle, Washington 98188. (206) CHerry 4-6255. Adjacent Sea-Tac International Airport, with courtesy transportation. Spacious, comfortable rooms and executive suites. Heated pool. Cofee Shop. Sound-conditioning. Conference Rooms.

This photo was taken just a month after the Great Seattle Fire in 1889. The vantage point is 1st and Cherry and you can see the rebuilding process just starting. All because of an overturned glue pot. The silver lining, however, is our collection of brick buildings downtown. Click on the thumbnail for a larger version.

Looking up Cherry St. from First, Seattle, Wash., July 1889. Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.