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| Seattle area home circa 1950′s. Photos by N.R. Farbman; courtesy Google LIFE photo archive. |
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| Seattle area home circa 1950′s. Photos by N.R. Farbman; courtesy Google LIFE photo archive. |
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| Seattle area home circa 1950′s. Photos by N.R. Farbman; courtesy Google LIFE photo archive. |
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| Seattle area home circa 1950′s. Photos by N.R. Farbman; courtesy Google LIFE photo archive. |
Archive for 2008
Life Magazine Seattle Photos Pt. 1
November 20th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure |
11 Comments »
Just when you thought Google couldn’t possibly kick any more arse — they go and do just that. Even before we could all get over how cool street view is, here comes a massive collection of previously unavailable images from LIFE magazine. Check it out @ http://images.google.com/hosted/life. I went straight for the Seattle section and found these super-cool photos from a circa 1950′s local home. Give them a click.
Past Post: Holy Names Academy 1909
November 19th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Past Post | 8 Comments »
Today’s past postcard is showing Capitol Hill’s Holy Names Academy in 1909, back when it was just built. While the photo most likely wasn’t actually taken at night, the tint artist made the scene suitably moody. Today, Holy Names survives as a Catholic girls’ high school and is the oldest continually running school in the state. I could definitely use some help with the transcription on this one.
Dear Mother, I am getting along fine. I am night watchman on the Building. I worked on ???? Am down here will me to night she will stay till a bout 10 o’clock and then I will take her home. Good by From Geo.
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| 2021 Holy Names Academy at Night — Seattle, Washington. |
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| Postcard sent August 1909 to Mrs. Etna Moore of Grants Pass, Oregon. |
Erecting The Needle Pt. 3
November 18th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | 4 Comments »
I’m just now home from a late night software release at work and tired as hell — but before I crash let’s continue our Erecting The Needle photo series. If you are behind, catch up with the intro sketches, Part 1, and Part 2. [see also: Part 4] One interesting note is that while no workers were killed during the construction of the Needle, three people committed suicide by jumping off of it during the 1970′s. You’ve got to respect these iron workers — I know my knees would be a quakin’. Click on the thumbnails for higher-res copies of the photos.
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| Grip and ingenuity, 400 feet above toy cars, twist curved waist leg into fit. A hand chain jack pulls on spud wrench at left, another on cable from below. Copyright 1962, The Craftsman Press, Inc. |
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| On fishline from sky, 20-ton section of restaurant ring girder, complete with “sunburst” vanes and casual walking planks, rises toward sifted clouds of late October. Copyright 1962, The Craftsman Press, Inc. |
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| Sunburst is a nearly-complete crown as last core section goes up on beautifully quiet November Sunday afternoon. Copyright 1962, The Craftsman Press, Inc. |
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| Steel decking now circles crown. Jet plane with vapor trail salutes from far above. Copyright 1962, The Craftsman Press, Inc. |
Roycroft Apartments 1907
November 17th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | 8 Comments »
I was leafing through some old documents and found this nice little mid-rise apartment building called “The Roycroft.” As usual, I wondered if it was still around — I did not remember seeing it from the days when I lived on Cap Hill. Turns out, it is still around. This is a great time to check out that rad new Google Maps street view feature (here’s the link). This old photo shows The Roycroft when it was new in 1906/1907 — notice the lack of landscaping. Unfortunately, the Mission-style parapets are now gone… as are the tops of the corner turrets. Click on the thumbnail for higher-res.
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| The Roycroft. An excellent example of strictly high grade, exclusive, restricted apartment building, corner Harvard Avenue and Thomas Street. Built by Mr. E.B. Roy in 1906. The Argus, 1907. |
A.Y.P.E. Buildings, Whatever Happened To
November 14th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Past Post | 4 Comments »
VS reader Nathan Cosgray sent a note about a great new Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition collection up on the Seattle Public Library site. He writes:
Just wanted to let you know that the Seattle Public Library has released a digital special collection of materials relating to the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition. This is a veritable goldmine of A-Y-P stuff for your blog:
http://cdm200301.cdmhost.com/index.php
I’m also including (below) links to my two favorite documents, which might be particularly interesting to you as well, because they contain a lot of photos. I know the Exposition took place on or near the UW campus so I’d challenge your readers to find anything in these photos that has survived to this day. It would be awesome if there’s some small piece of this history hidden on campus somewhere, but I couldn’t find any structures that looked familiar.
Official Guide to the A-Y-P Exposition
General History Complimentary Booklet
Nathan Cosgray
Via E-Mail
11/10/2008
A couple of the original buildings are left, but not many. Architecture Hall (once known as Chemistry Building) is around. The original Women’s Building is also still in use. Most of the structures, however, were not built to last — as Alan Stein told us in this post. The author of this circa 1908 postcard writes that the buildings were to stay after the expo, but was presumably unaware as to how long they’d stick around.
http://cdm200301.cdmhost.com/index.php
I’m also including (below) links to my two favorite documents, which might be particularly interesting to you as well, because they contain a lot of photos. I know the Exposition took place on or near the UW campus so I’d challenge your readers to find anything in these photos that has survived to this day. It would be awesome if there’s some small piece of this history hidden on campus somewhere, but I couldn’t find any structures that looked familiar.
Official Guide to the A-Y-P Exposition
General History Complimentary Booklet
Nathan Cosgray
Via E-Mail
11/10/2008
This is the site of the A.Y.P. Exposition for 1909. It is at the University Grounds. All the buildings are to be left on the ground for school’s after the fair.
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| 1120 Golf Grounds, Laurelhurst Peninsula and Lake Washington, Washington. From the site of the Alaska-Yukon Pacific Exposition. The Lowman & Hanford Co., Seattle. |
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| Back of postcard, from early 1900′s. |
5th Ave Block To Be Demolished
November 13th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | 17 Comments »
As time marches on, the built environment of Seattle that existed 50, 75, 100 years ago slowly vanishes. The most important buildings are saved, but many that are notable will slip away without much notice. I don’t think of these as just empty, cold buildings — certainly the architecture and detailing can be beautiful — consider instead the blood and sweat from past and current lives absorbed into the concrete floors. Below find the downtown block of 5th Avenue (bounded by Stewart and Virginia) set to be demolished, making way for a 44-story hotel. All coming down: Eclipse Neckwear Manufacturing Co. Building (now Icon Grill) built in 1923, Colony Club Building built 1928, Singer Building built 1915, and Avis Parking Garage Building built 1928. Check out those links for more info on each building. Also check out the photos below, the Eclipse Neckwear and Colony Club buildings in particular have some nice details.
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| Eclipse Neckwear Manufacturing Co. Building, currently home to Icon Grill. Built 1923. |
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| Looking north along 5th Ave. The Singer Building is to the left in the frame. |
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| A look at the classical terra cotta from the Colony Club Building, built 1928. |
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| Looking west along Virginia Street. |
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| Notice of Proposed Land Use Action from the block. |
Seattle Rail Depots 1929
November 12th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Past Post | 3 Comments »
Scope this card from 1929 showing Union (built 1911) and King Street Stations (built 1906). In the foreground, Union Station is no longer used for railroad but houses Sound Transit. Having sat vacant since the early 1970′s, the station was renovated in 1999 by Paul Allen’s Vulcan Company in exchange for land near it. The station went on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Lillian writes in 1929:
Dear Mama — Am sending you a calendar — thought maybe you didn’t have one this particular style. Am also sending those snaps of me I promised you last summer — haven’t had any new ones taken to send now. We are having a long cold spell. Lots of snow! Hope everyone’s well. Love to all — Lillian.
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| 457:–The Oregon, Washington and Great Northern. Northern Pacific Depots, Seattle, Wash. |
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| Postcard sent Feb 7, 1929 to West Acton, Mass. |
Pike Place Market Snapshots 1968 Pt. 1
November 11th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure | 4 Comments »
In the late 1960′s, photographer Nancie Gee took to Pike Place Market to capture the energy of the people there. She came away with her work “Reflections In Pike Place Markets.” Find below some of what she captured. Click on the thumbnails for higher-res copies. [see also: Part 2]
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| Child standing against column. Pike Place Market snapshots. Circa 1968. Copyright Superior Publishing Company. Photo by Nancie Gee. |
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| Woman eating ice cream. Pike Place Market snapshots. Circa 1968. Copyright Superior Publishing Company. Photo by Nancie Gee. |
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| Woman selling produce. Pike Place Market snapshots. Circa 1968. Copyright Superior Publishing Company. Photo by Nancie Gee. |
Temple De Hirsch 1908
November 10th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | 5 Comments »
Reader Deran Ludd sent me this photo a couple months back when we were discussing First Hill. It shows the Temple De Hirsch, a Reform Jewish congregation still going strong. A look at the modern overhead view shows that only the columns from this original building remain — as part of a garden of sorts. I haven’t been able to track down any information on when it was demolished, though a good guess may be 1960 when the new Temple De Hirsch was built. Can anyone chime into the comments and pin this down? Click on the thumbnail for the full-res photo.
Update: Seattle historian Alan Stein wrote in with the following information and photos. Thanks, Alan!
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| Temple De Hirsch, Seattle, U.S.A. Circa 1908. Photo courtesy Deran Ludd. |
According to UW Special Collections, the old Temple de Hirsch building came down in 1993.
http://www.lib.washington.edu/specialcoll/…
A few months ago, I was interviewed by some students at the Seatle Academy for a history book they were working on. When we were finished, I went outside to snap some shots of the old edifice next door, but I had forgotten to charge my camera battery and it winked out after two shots. I didn’t get a shot of the columns, but I did get these views of the old entryway.
By the way, did you know that Google Maps now has Street Views for Seattle and other places around the state? It’s awesome for “now” views to compare with old postcards. Check it out
Street View Link
Alan Stein
HistoryLink – Staff Historian
Via E-Mail 11/10/2008
http://www.lib.washington.edu/specialcoll/…
A few months ago, I was interviewed by some students at the Seatle Academy for a history book they were working on. When we were finished, I went outside to snap some shots of the old edifice next door, but I had forgotten to charge my camera battery and it winked out after two shots. I didn’t get a shot of the columns, but I did get these views of the old entryway.
By the way, did you know that Google Maps now has Street Views for Seattle and other places around the state? It’s awesome for “now” views to compare with old postcards. Check it out
Street View Link
Alan Stein
HistoryLink – Staff Historian
Via E-Mail 11/10/2008
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| Original Temple De Hirsch remains, present day. |
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| Original Temple De Hirsch remains, present day. |
House O The Week… Wait No
November 9th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure | 16 Comments »
Being the negative guy that I am, you knew I couldn’t just keep posting about some of the better houses in Seattle’s older neighborhoods. Time to check out the not-so-good. Very often during new construction in these old, original neighborhoods we talk about “context.” Well, folks, here’s an example of a complete and utter slap in the face of context. This photo succession shows a group of three homes in Judkins Park. Any architects out there may want to look away.
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| The home to the left, built in 1909, 960 square feet. |
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| The home in the middle, built in 2002, 5,154 square feet on a double lot. |
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| The home to the right, built in 1955, 1,220 square feet. |
Reframe: First Hill’s Hotel Sorrento
November 7th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Reframe | 4 Comments »
It’s been a little while since I’ve posted a Reframe photo comparo — so I’ve picked out one of my favorite hotels in the city. The Italian mission-style Hotel Sorrento was built in 1908 and advertised as “the hotel in the heart of things.” Home to Seattle’s first rooftop restaraunt, the view these days is limited by tall skyscrapers but still impressive. The Post-Intelligencer ran a story about the hotel in March. The structure finally went up for landmark nomination brought by current owner and preservationist Michael Malone. So let’s take a look at the Reframe — first in 1912 and then the current day shots. Click for higher-res copies.
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| The Hotel Sorrento in 1912. |
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| The Hotel Sorrento in 2008. |
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| Alternate exterior angle along Terry Ave. |
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| Sorrento’s top floor banquet room. |
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| The upper floor living area with balcony. |
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| Hotel suite off of banquet room. |
Past Post: Lake Washington Bridge Tunnels
November 6th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Past Post | No Comments »
Now here’s a familiar sight for me. I take the I-90 bridge every day to work and it’s a welcome alternative to my years of taking the 520 (where one car stalled = hell on earth). The bridge, formally named Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge, was expanded in the early 90′s with a new span. As such, these two tunnels now travel in the same direction (east). This postcard is undated, but is most likely from the early 40′s. Also check out the bulge feature from when one span held opposing traffic. More photos from older days here. Click for more resolution.
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| 496:–Entrance to tunnels from the Lake Washington Floating Bridge at Seattle, Washington. 47650. |
Obama Elected 44th President
November 5th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure | 1 Comment »
Wow. What an election. Around here we talk a lot about history in the past tense. Well, now it’s happening in the present. History was made with Barack Obama being the first African-American to be elected president. The streets of Seattle, from Capitol Hill to Downtown, were flooded with people celebrating. Check out the pictures on the SLOG. I know this is a Seattle related blog, but I think this is a pretty important day and I think it is appropriate to note. And now, the only Seattle related presidential imagery I can muster.
Update: And speaking of history making, last night on Capitol Hill when the election was called Neighbors hoists large speakers atop their establishment and blasts Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing.” Video here. Is this not a great country?
Update: And speaking of history making, last night on Capitol Hill when the election was called Neighbors hoists large speakers atop their establishment and blasts Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing.” Video here. Is this not a great country?
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| Mayor J.D. Braman greeting President Lyndon B. Johnson at Seattle-Tacoma airport during the president’s Canadian visit in 1966. Photograph courtesy Seattle Municipal Archives. |
Election Day 2008
November 4th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure | 1 Comment »
It’s finally election day. Wow. After voting, I’ll definitely be glued to the television and Internet watching the coverage. Don’t forget to vote! To mark the occasion, check out this entry from an old 1904 Alaska Club Album showing the room Roosevelt stayed in at the Washington Hotel. See my previous posts on the hotel here and here. Also click here to see what they mean by the “highest point of ground in the downtown district” just before it was washed into the bay. See you at the polls!
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| Parlor of President Roosevelt’s Suite of Rooms at the Washington, Seattle, May 23rd and 24th, 1903. The Washington is the most talked of and popular high-type tourist and Commercial Hotel in the West. Standing on the highest point of ground in the downtown district of Seattle, the scenery from all sides of the Hotel is the most superb to be found anywhere in the West. The interior arrangement of the Hotel, the service and the cuisine are unquestionably as nearly perfect as it is possible to have. Alaska Club Album, 1904. |
Old Commodore Hotel Ghost Signs
November 3rd, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure | 9 Comments »
Vintage Seattle reader Shannon Callin (who runs her own blog Mouse In The Sauce) writes in with this excellent photo of some old ghost signs uncovered a few years ago. The signs, in excellent condition, were exposed when the Crystal Pool Natatorium site at Second and Lenora was being turned into condos in 2003. Check out the bird’s eye view map and you can see the old Crystal Pool facade (with condo growing out of it) and the Commodore next door. Huge thanks to Shannon for digging this up and sending it in. She writes:
So, this was taken around September/October 2003. The building that was knocked down (with only the historic facade left) was the old Crystal Pool Natatorium, which was built around the turn of the last century, on 2nd Ave & Lenora. Decades later, the pool was morphed into a temple until the condo craze hit downtown. The site is now retail with condos, built around the facade that they were required to leave in place. It’s amazing how difficult it is to find any history on the Crystal Pool. There’s only one photo I could dig up:
http://content.lib.washington.edu/cdm-desmo/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/imlsmohai&CISOPTR=1377&CISOBOX=1&REC=1
The wall that the ads were painted on belonged to the Commodore Hotel, which was built in 1909, I believe. And again, very hard to find info on this building too. Now it’s gone or been gutted and the original address, 2013 2nd Ave., doesn’t even exist on the King County Tax Parcel website. The Inn at Pike Place now owns it and has changed the address, so there is no history showing on that parcel. Frustrating!
I know the Seattle Times ran a story about these wall ads when they were uncovered because it was so cool and unusual. I looked in the Seattle Times archives around those two months and found nothing, though. I was hoping to get some background there. I did find this one piece of info about these wall ads, from Metafilter:
http://www.metafilter.com/28813/Ghost-Signs
So, that’s as much history as I could dig up. Maybe you’ll be more successful! In any case, it’s nice to know that these cool old ads are still on that wall today, covered up and preserved. At least, I hope they are–haven’t been to that intersection of downtown since I stopped working downtown in February. If the old Commodore Hotel has been completely knocked down, then the ads are gone. Which would be sad.
Shannon Callin
Via E-Mail
11/1/2008
http://content.lib.washington.edu/cdm-desmo/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/imlsmohai&CISOPTR=1377&CISOBOX=1&REC=1
The wall that the ads were painted on belonged to the Commodore Hotel, which was built in 1909, I believe. And again, very hard to find info on this building too. Now it’s gone or been gutted and the original address, 2013 2nd Ave., doesn’t even exist on the King County Tax Parcel website. The Inn at Pike Place now owns it and has changed the address, so there is no history showing on that parcel. Frustrating!
I know the Seattle Times ran a story about these wall ads when they were uncovered because it was so cool and unusual. I looked in the Seattle Times archives around those two months and found nothing, though. I was hoping to get some background there. I did find this one piece of info about these wall ads, from Metafilter:
http://www.metafilter.com/28813/Ghost-Signs
So, that’s as much history as I could dig up. Maybe you’ll be more successful! In any case, it’s nice to know that these cool old ads are still on that wall today, covered up and preserved. At least, I hope they are–haven’t been to that intersection of downtown since I stopped working downtown in February. If the old Commodore Hotel has been completely knocked down, then the ads are gone. Which would be sad.
Shannon Callin
Via E-Mail
11/1/2008
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| Uncovered ghost signs on the Commodore Hotel, Second and Virginia circa 2003. Photo courtesy Shannon Callin. |
