VintageSeattle.org

A couple days ago, some members of the Mars Hill flock were baptised in Jesus’ name in the frigid waters off Alki Beach. Here are a few snapshots of the same scene from September 5th, 1934 as the 53rd Avenue S.W. Wood sewage outfall was extended. Click on the photos for full resolution.

53rd Avenue S.W. Wood Stave Pipe Outfall Extension. Courtesy Department of Streets and Sewers Photographs, Seattle Municipal Archives.

53rd Avenue S.W. Wood Stave Pipe Outfall Extension. Courtesy Department of Streets and Sewers Photographs, Seattle Municipal Archives.

Today we’ve got an architectural rendering of the First National Bank Century 21 Branch built for the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle. Advertisements from the time stated: “Complete banking service is available during the fair hours at the Century 21 Branch of the Seattle-First National Bank. The flags of all countries represented at the fair are displayed on the bank building. In addition to the normal banking functions, the Century 21 Branch also offers loan service and foreign currency exchange.” Does anyone have a link to photos of this bank branch from the fair?

Rendering of the First National Bank, Century 21 Branch. In 1957 Paul Thiry, one of Seattle’s earliest practitioners of European Modernism, was appointed principal architect of Century 21, the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair. The Century 21 Branch of the Seattle First National Bank was located at the northwest corner of the Friendship Mall. It featured a canvas awning stretched over a steel frame decorated with the flags of the participating nations. Image courtesy University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections Division.

Earlier this month I put the call out for reader submissions of Seattle house photos through the years. VS.org reader Andy Bookwalter was kind enough to show off his century old Dutch Colonial that he brought back from the brink. Below you’ll find the 1904 beauty in the 30’s, 50’s, and today. If you’re reading this from the warmth of your vintage Seattle home, go ahead and send me your scanned photos. Thanks Andy and take it away.

Bookwalter House, 1930’s tax photo.

Bookwalter House, 1950’s tax photo.

Bookwalter House as it appears today.

Past Post today is showing the elegant, Beaux Arts style Central Building. This is how it was originally envisioned — 12 story base with a massive clock tower rising from a 5 story stepped tower. Though numerous plans were floated over the years for the Central Building to attain its full potential, only 8 stories were built. Other buildings of the era, such as the American Savings Bank and Mehlorn Buildings, were also designed to be built in phases as funding came online. Give the full postcard a click. It’s already a very nice building and it could have been a killer.

1114. Central Building, Seattle, Washington.

Back to school… already? Yep it’s almost that time. Here’s a shot of Education Hall from the 1934 edition of The Argus.This neo-gothic building went up in 1922 and is now known as Miller Hall. The photo has a nice dream-like quality, rather unlike the nightmare-like quality I recall from the first day of school. Click on the image for full resolution.

Education Hall. An old world perspective of a modern University building. Many beautiful new structures have been added to the University of Washington campus in the past few years. The Argus, 1934.

There’s been a lot of talk about Bigfoot lately (he was hanging around in Georgia (and more recently in a freezer). But who is looking for Bighands? Well, this was actually a Koskimo person dressed up as Hami (”dangerous thing”) during the numhlim ceremony, captured by famous Seattle photographer Edward Curtis in 1914. Curtis was known to stage shots, but he usually didn’t include possum. Click on the thumbnail to view the full photo.

Koskimo person wearing full-body fur garment, oversized gloves and mask of Hami (”dangerous thing”) during the numhlim ceremony. Edward S. Curtis Collection. November 13, 1914. Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

I know I just posted a photo of Jack Lemmon eating in the Space Needle last week. Well, this old postcard is more of the same. It’s undated, but based on the decor and dress we could probably throw around a couple guesses. One thing I do know, if I were the woman with the tea cup in front of my face, I’d have asked for a re-shoot. Click on the postcard for full-res.

Diners inside the Space Needle Restaurant, Seattle, Washington.

Hi, I’m 1206 Republican — I wanted to introduce myself. I’m the oldest house in South Lake Union’s Cascade neighborhood, according to the Department of Neighborhoods. I was built in 1890 and, along with my wood siding, have stuck around all these years. There’s not many of us left from the old times here in the SLU. But being the oldest house in the neighborhood, you’d think I’d be turned into a small museum or a showpiece for the “roots of Cascade” to be polished up by Vulcan. But I’m going to be demolished sometime this week (I received a “stay” today when the city decided it needed more permits). A respectful and talented sketcher named Gabi paid me a visit today — as did his friend Eric. Colleen Rozillis, who reads this blog, also appreciates me. Come see me while you can and please, please don’t let them put up a cheapshit condo in my place (my lot’s too small). Goodbye.

Entrance to 1206 Republican.	Southwest corner.
Southeast corner.	Demolition has begun on the back porch area.
Side of home with original wood siding.	The house next door at 1210 Republican is also being demolished.

I’m typing this update on my brand new (well, old tech) buckling spring Unicomp Spacesaver keyboard. It’s basically brand new remake of the old clicky-clacky IBM Model-M, but with USB on the end. Typing is a dream on this sucker — you know just when you’ve struck a key (the metallic clang lets you know). Is it loud as hell? Yes it is. Is it heavy enough to squash a cat? Yes it is. Am I getting paid by Unicomp to say this? No I’m not. Either way, goodbye forever, mushy modern piece of junk keyboard! I highly recommend the Spacesaver, don’t let the $70 price tag keep you away. With that, let’s take a look at an old advertisement for IBM’s “new paths to knowledge” exhibit from the ‘62 World’s Fair. Click (clack) it!

Take a walk through 15,000 years of Man’s thought. IBM invites you to visit “New Paths to Knowledge,” the exhibit that takes a stimulating look at Man’s search for information… at his progress — and his promise. Official Souvenir Program, Seattle World’s Fair 1962.

You know that I can’t stay away from the Denny/Washington Hotel or The Regrade. This 1906 photograph comes from The Argus, printed in 1925 representing “nineteen years of progress.” By comparing it to this photo, you can get a sense for where The Denny/Washington Hotel stood (the Standard Furniture Company building, now Nordstrom Rack, and the apartment building across the street can be used as a reference point). The site has been a parking garage/lot for a while and is about to go condo.

The accompanying photograph was taken in 1906. On the hill stands the old Washington hotel, about to be demolished in order that the hill could be washed into the bay. The group of workmen in the foreground is at Second Avenue and Pine street. The whole district shown in this photograph is now built up solidly with big buildings. The foreground is now in the heart of the retail district. The Argus, 1925.

Summer took its sweet time this year, but is now here in full force… bringing along scorching 88 degree heat today. In fact, the National Weather Service is carrying a warning of “hot temperatures and stagnant conditions” through Saturday. Stagnant conditions? Sounds like it may be a good weekend to hang out under a shady tree at one of Seattle’s parks. Perhaps a trip to Ravenna/Cowen Park is in order, but you won’t find quite as much old growth as years past. Scope this 1909 postcard showing Cowen Park.

W - 33  View in Cowen Park, Seattle, Washington.

I’ve always been fascinated by the prospect of the Denny Regrade (see our May 2007 post on the subject). The Denny Regrade, was of course the audacious two phased removal of Denny Hill (from 1902-1911 and 1929-1930). Check out these two photos from 1929 during phase 2 — a modern day bird’s eye view is linked in the caption. Couple things to note in the first photo. Look at all the buildings still around: The Charlesgate Apmts, the fire station, and a bunch of others. Also the collection of cars at the bottom left, with the way they’re arranged, is that a car dealership?

Denny Hill Regrade Northeast from Fourth Avenue and Blanchard Street. Jun 14, 1929. Courtesy Engineering Department Photographic Negatives, Seattle Municipal Archives. Click here for the modern day view.

Denny Hill Slide at Fifth Avenue and Bell Street. Jun 19, 1929. Courtesy Engineering Department Photographic Negatives, Seattle Municipal Archives. Click here for the modern day view.

Right across the street from West Seattle’s historic Painted Lady, is this 1927 home now selling. I recently had a tour through it with my camera and I’m here to share the photos with you. The home, located in West Seattle’s character-rich North Admiral, is selling for $544,000. That price will net you 2,370 square feet in 3 bedrooms and 1 bath. While this property does need its fair share of updating (the kitchen), it’s a nice window into an unaltered 1920’s home. Give the photos a look and hit the listing if you’re in the market.

Front of the home from SW Seattle Street.	Northeast corner of the lot.
Northwest view.	Back of the home with detached garage.
The kitchen door to the left leads to a covered porch.	Formal dining room.
Living room and stair landing, looking toward the front of the home.	The master bedroom is situated in the northeast quadrant of the second floor. Notice the original, painted wood floors.

Now this is cool. While we’re not nearly as timely or star-obsessed as TMZ (yes, we’re 46 years late) — today we’re a gossip mag. Routing through a bundle of old ‘62 World’s Fair photos I’ve procured, I found this: a photo of a man and son eating atop the Space Needle. A mundane scene, but then hand-written on the back: “Jack Lemon [sic] & son Chris. Space Needle May 24/62.” Neat. Someone snapped this photo of Jack Lemmon and his son at dinner in the Needle. Sure enough, a quick search of HistoryLink confirms that Lemmon was indeed at the fair. And according to Google, Chris Lemmon is now an actor/writer. Click on the photo for a larger view.

Jack Lemmon and his son, Chris, eat at the top of the Space Needle. May 24, 1962.

We were just discussing architects Bebb and Mendel last week with Hotel Frye. The firm also designed this house built in 1903 for Charles Henry Cobb. Making his fortune in the logging business, Cobb’s home was impressive enough to be called out in the 1909 edition of Western Architect. Separating it from its high-style neighbors is the use of stone at the base, anchoring the upper half-timber. Note the ornamentation on the woodworking. You can see that the home still stands (rightfully so) via this Live.com bird’s eye view — it’s the one at the corner of 14th and East Aloha.

Residence for C.H. Cobb, Seattle, Washington. Bebb and Mendel, Architects. Western Architect, July 1909.