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March, 2008 Archive

Post Post: Vintage… Tacoma?

March 11th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Past Post | 3 Comments » border

Since I won’t have access to my scanner for another day or so, we’re going Vintage Tacoma for today. Jenni Pertuset of the Open Book Blog sent in this 1940’s linen-era card showing the shopping and business district of Tacoma. She writes:

I’m not sure this one fits within your mission, as it’s of Tacoma, but here’s another postcard from our friend Nick “the Hitmaker” (http://www.tierecords.com/thehitmaker/) Markos. It’s a puzzler, not just because Nick has me wondering how he finds so many vintage Seattle postcards in Chicago, but because I’m not familiar enough with Tacoma to recognize a single building in the image.

Is the left-most bridge the Murray Morgan on 11th Street? There’s an article in today’s Tribune about restoring the bridge. And here are a couple of groovy modern photos of it (I plead ignorance about their copyright):

Link 1
Link 2

The front of the postcard says “535:–A SECTION OF THE SHOPPING AND BUSINESS DISTRICT, TACOMA, WASHINGTON” The reverse offers only: “C. P. Johnston Co., Seattle, Washington” along a note from Nicky (and his clever touch of a “Greetings from Washington” stamp). It has no date.

Front: 535:– A Section Of The Shopping And Business District, Tacoma, Washington.

Wilson’s Modern Business College At Work

March 10th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure | 2 Comments » border

Last October I posted this 1919 ad for Wilson’s Modern Business College. Just found these two candid Wilson’s shots of students hard at work during shorthand and typing classes during 1901. It looks like the photos were taken inside the same classroom. Click on the images for more resolution.

Shorthand class at Wilson’s Modern Business College, 1901.

Typing class at Wilson’s Modern Business College, 1901.

The Blethen House On The Hill

March 7th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure | 2 Comments » border

Houses, houses, houses. They’ve been ruling my life lately. And nothing makes you realize how humble your domicile is until you’ve had a look at some the homes of Seattle’s forefathers. Check out this 1901 Washington Illustrated pictorial showing A.J. Blethen’s residence. Blethen was one of the original publishers of the Seattle Times and members of the Blethen family still have majority ownership of the newspaper. Click on the thumbnail for a higher-res copy.

Residence of Col. A.J. Blethen, Queen Anne Hill, Seattle. Washington Illustrated, 1901.

20th Ave Craftsman Rumor Mill

March 7th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure | 1 Comment » border

Remember those three high-end Craftsman beauties that I profiled a while back? Their price came down to $879,000 from the 900’s recently, but now my inside sources are telling me that it could go for $795,000 if you approach them without a realtor. The direct line is 206-963-3431. That’s some serious discounting. Makes me with I could afford 800k…

One of three high-end Craftsman’s recently completed on 20th Ave in Squire Park.

Ye Not So Olde West Seattle Move

March 6th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure | 8 Comments » border

We are continuing to get settled in here at our new house in West Seattle. The unboxing is going slowly — very, very slowly. Everyone in the neighborhood and surrounding area has been super friendly. As the moving truck was being unloaded last weekend, I even got a visit from VS reader and contributor Richard P. Hill. Speaking of contributors… never one to stand still, Deran Ludd sends in these old photographs of J. E. Standley and his home in West Seattle. Standley was the owner of Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, opening the store in 1899. Thanks Deran. Click on the images for more resolution. Does anyone know if his house is still standing?

Shells from every sea in the yard of J. E. Standley in West Seattle.

J. E. Standley outside his home, 1920’s.

Marlborough Getting Live Historic Treatment

March 6th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | 4 Comments » border

With First Hill recently losing the Northcliffe Apartments, I was anticipating another landmark standoff when I saw construction equipment around the historic Marlborough building just a block away. When I noticed the Live Historic banners yesterday as I drove down Boren, there was a sigh of relief. Sure enough, a quick look at their website reveals the plans for 83 condos. In this market, you ask? Suppose so. I’m going to get in touch with the Live Historic people and see about a tour of the building. Here’s a shot of The Marlborough from 1928. Awesome building and I’m glad it’s being renovated — but I’m also curious about what’s being taken out of there.

Marlborough Apartments during renovation, 2008.

It Happened At The World’s Fair

March 5th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure | 7 Comments » border

I recently got in touch with World’s Fair historian Bill Cotter who provided these excellent candid shots taken at the ‘62 Seattle World’s Fair. If you’re interested in getting photos from the ‘62 Expo or other fairs, check out his website at www.worldsfairphotos.com where you can buy copies. You can also find his book, The 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair at Amazon. Once again, thanks to Bill for providing the snapshots. Enjoy!

Hawaii Pavilion. Photograph courtesy Bill Cotter.

Tram Boulevard West. Photograph courtesy Bill Cotter.

Science Way. Photograph courtesy Bill Cotter.

Horiuchi Mural. Photograph courtesy Bill Cotter.

Seattle Panorama-o-rama No. 2

March 4th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure | 1 Comment » border

I want to take a step back again and look at another super wide angle (well, stitched together) photograph of our city. This one comes straight from 1926 taken from what looks like Queen Anne. Also check out our last panorama-o-rama from 1917. Click on the thumbnail for the larger res version. This is a fun one to study. Which landmarks can you pick out?

Seattle panorama. Copyright deposit; Pierson Photo Co.; April 19, 1926. Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

Player O The Week: Raymond 1910

March 3rd, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Old Sport | 3 Comments » border

We’ve seen Spencer, we’ve seen Shea. Now it’s Raymond’s time to be crowned Vintage Seattle Player O The Week. This 1910 American Tobacco Company issued baseball card shows the young’ish looking player holding some lumber. The popped collar has enjoyed a resurgence in the past few years — will 3/4 length sleeves be next? Click on the thumbnails for higher-res versions.

Front: Raymond, Seattle, N.W.L. Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

Back: Obak Mouthpiece Cigarettes. “Distinctive.” Base Ball Series 175 Subjects Selected From Pacific Coast And Northwestern Leagues. Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

Past Post: Old Growth

March 2nd, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Past Post | 3 Comments » border

Regular Vintage Seattle reader Richard P. Hill sends in this vintage postcard featuring the “old growth” he alluded to here. Now that’s some big lumber. I’m still moving, so I posted this from the past (Thursday). I’m dying to know — what happens in the future? Let me know in the comments. Thanks for sending this in, Richard.

This is the kind of wood that old Seattle houses were made of, and now sadly no longer exists. It wasn’t that long ago. Not sure when this is from, probably 50’s -60’s? Check out the sharp dressed man.
– Richard P. Hill

Front: Old Growth. Postcard courtesy Richard P. Hill.