October 7th, 2008 @ 12:54 am by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings
Today I’m starting a new feature where we view chronological progress of the Space Needle construction. Really, the first in this series is technically
this post where we studied various Needle concept drawings. But we’ll call this Part 1 anyway. The Space Needle started construction in April of 1961. As digging began, the 120-foot by 12-foot (depth 30 feet) hole slowly filled with 5850 tons of concrete and steel. Anchoring the massive Space Needle, there would be more weight underground than in the tower itself. Click
here for Part 2 of this series soon — where we continue the construction phase in photos. Click on the thumbnails for larger high-res pictures. [see also:
Part 2,
Part 3,
Part 4]
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| Deep down, where 2800 cubic yards of concrete will anchor the Needle, men lay a lacework of steel. Copyright 1962, The Craftsman Press, Inc. |
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| Easy now. First massive leg pedestal fits on forest of anchor bolts that reach 30 feet into underground concrete. June 30, 1961. Copyright 1962, The Craftsman Press, Inc. |
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| Straight into July sky, ground cranes place first leg column beside 120-foot core. Copyright 1962, The Craftsman Press, Inc. |
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| While core welders squat on skimpy “floats,” iron-climbers study the new 100-foot-high joint. Copyright 1962, The Craftsman Press, Inc. |
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| Welding unit resting precariously on 100-foot level — lines dangling — needletop derrick assists in placing of next leg. Copyright 1962, The Craftsman Press, Inc. |
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October 7th, 2008 @ 9:01 am
WOW! Very cool images. So, that’s how it happened.
October 7th, 2008 @ 9:29 am
Is that capitol hill in the background of the last photo?
October 7th, 2008 @ 9:40 am
That is most definitely Cap Hill in the last photo. You can see the cathedral, the Volunteer Park water tower (the poor man’s Space Needle), and that huge white apartment building that is still there today!
I love the Space Needle construction photos. They’re my favorite next to the Denny Hill Regrade project photos.
December 29th, 2008 @ 2:49 am
There is something erie but still very intriguing about that first picture….these picturesare truly amazing. I had to google so many words and phrases to find perfect construction pictures and here they are…great!!
August 4th, 2009 @ 3:21 pm
the first guy holding the rebar is my father in law George Aubrey