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| Doric 6th Avenue Motor Hotel. 2000 6th Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98101. 175 Modern Units — TV’s, Radios, Drive-In Lobby and ample covered parking. Automatic Elevators, 24 hour desk service, automatic dial phones, heated swimming pool, ROD & REEL Restaurant and Lounge. 2 blocks from Downtown shopping center and Monorail Terminal. Seattle’ s mo st conveniently located downtown Motor Hotel. |
Archive for 2008
Doric Motor Hotel
October 17th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure |
4 Comments »
Meet the Doric Sixth Avenue Motor Hotel, built 1958. It’s fairly unusual to find a motel like this smack dab in the middle of downtown Seattle. It was designed by Bellevue architectural firm Lindahl and Bacon and when constructed replaced a parking lot, car dealership, and a gas station. The building is still around and still in use as a motel (now the Sixth Avenue Inn) — the most obvious differences being the blue color and mansard style roof. Check out the Department of Neighborhoods listing for the modern day shot. One last thing… it had a “drive-in lobby” — that’s rad.
Manufacturers’ Building Plans
October 16th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | 5 Comments »
I’ll concede to RPH and Derek that not all early 20th century buildings need necessarily be kept around forever. On the other hand… though they were designed for specific show functions and not intended themselves to be around for all that long, the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition buildings are pretty breath-taking. I just posted this print a few days ago and these postcards a few months ago. The Manufacturers’ Building was torn down in 1918 as the University of Washington Campus grew. If nothing else, this architectural print deserves to be printed out, matted, and framed. Click on the images for high-res goodness.
Update: Ben Lukoff asked in the comments about why these buildings were taken down. I forwarded his question on to local historian Alan Stein of HistoryLink. Here is his response:
Update: Ben Lukoff asked in the comments about why these buildings were taken down. I forwarded his question on to local historian Alan Stein of HistoryLink. Here is his response:
Only four buildings were specifically funded, designed, and constructed to be permanent. The Fine Arts building (which is now the Architecture Building), the Auditorium (which became Meany Hall, but had to be torn down after the 1964 earthquake) the Machinery Building (which lasted until 1957) and the Power House (which still stands today). Most of the other buildings — especially the big ones around the main court — were planned to be temporary, constructed of staff — a mixture of plaster, cement, and straw.
After the fair closed, the University saved some of the non-permanent buildings, which were then shored up and put into service. Some only lasted a few years, others for decades. The Woman’s Building lasted all th is time, and is now Cunningham Hall. During our research, we were surprised to find out that the humble little Michigan Club Building still survices as the Physical Plant Office Building. It’s been heavily remodelled and enlarged, but it’s still there.
Alan Stein
Via E-mail
10/18/08
After the fair closed, the University saved some of the non-permanent buildings, which were then shored up and put into service. Some only lasted a few years, others for decades. The Woman’s Building lasted all th is time, and is now Cunningham Hall. During our research, we were surprised to find out that the humble little Michigan Club Building still survices as the Physical Plant Office Building. It’s been heavily remodelled and enlarged, but it’s still there.
Alan Stein
Via E-mail
10/18/08
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| Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition, Manufacturers’ Building, court and Bering Avenue elevations architectural drawings. Designed by W. Sommerville and Joseph Cote, 1907. Image courtesy University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections Division. |
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| Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition, Manufacturers’ Building, end elevation and transverse section architectural drawings. Designed by W. Sommerville and Joseph Cote, 1907. Image courtesy University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections Division. |
Past Post: Volunteer Park Again, Again
October 15th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Past Post | No Comments »
Just a quick Past Post update to this entry from a couple weeks ago. This card shows basically the s ame vantage point but is obviously from before 1933 (when the Art Deco Seattle Art Museum opened up). You can see that before the Museum came about, a more humble structure with similar orientation sat on the site. Of interest: two descendants of Noble Hoggson, landscape designer of the grounds, stopped by that thread’s comments. Always pleasing to see that. Click for more resolution.
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| Birdseye View of Volunteer Park, Seattle, Washington. 2774. |
Alki’s Shoremont Apartments
October 14th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | 15 Comments »
At times it’s depressing here at Vintage Seattle headquarters. Most weekends I feel like the newspaper’s obituary writer — rushing around from site to site snapping photos of buildings that aren’t long for this world. Say hello to Alki’s Shoremont Apartments, or rather, say goodbye. This 1920′s era brick apartment building is fully permitted for demolition (though on a slightly more uplifting note there’s a chance it may be moved). To add more drama to the building’s history, news broke today that developer Pb Elemental laid off 16 of its 50 employees. What effect this will have on the demolition/move isn’t known. Either way, see the Shoremont while you can as you stroll (but not cruise) down Alki Ave while it slowly goes clone-modern. My photos below.
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| The Shoremont from across Alki Ave SW. | Moving closer to the facade at the corner of Alki and 57th. |
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| Roofline detail: birds and Spanish tile. | An up close look at the brick exterior and window. |
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| Another look at a main entrance. | The same entrance from opposite angle. Some windows are boarded up. |
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| Similar view, showing overgrown lawn area. | A second entrance along Alki Ave SW. |
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| Alternate brick and window detail. | Six over one double hung sash. |
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| Looking southwest down Alki Ave. | Back of the building with parking lot. |
A.Y.P.E. Buildings 1909
October 13th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | 1 Comment »
While we’re still not sure what went wrong with this tint, this 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition photo has had some artistic liberties taken. Check out the painterly foliage and shadow on the ground. You can see in this panorama that I posted in June where the buildings stood in relation to each other. Click on the thumbnail for the larger version.
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| Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition. Entrance to Manufacturers’ Building, with Agricultural Building in the distance. Copyright, 1908, by Romans Photo Co. The Argus, 1909 AYP Edition. Price 50 cents. February 20, 1909. Vol. 16, No. 3. Published by H.A. Chadwick. |
Player O The Week: Herman Weaver 1978
October 12th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Old Sport | 1 Comment »
After getting romped 44-6 last week by the Giants, the Hawks are looking to regroup today against the Packers. Perhaps they need only look back for inspiration — namely to punter Herman Weaver. Or you may remember him by his nickname… “Thunderfoot.” So how did he get this wickedly awesome nickname ? I’ll let his website thunderfoot18.com explain:
On one overcast day, as the Detroit Lions were preparing for their showdown on ABC’s Monday Night Football, Herman Weaver stepped back to punt as the special teams took the field. The punt was typical of #18 – a high, spiraling arc setting the blockers off on another 50-yard sprint. Two things were different about this punt, however. One, Howard Cosell was watching practice and two, at the highest point of the ball flight, a blast of thunder let out of the sky. The next night on Monday Night Football, with millions of fans viewing in, Howard Cosell referred to Herman Weaver as “Thunderfoot”. And a legend w as born.
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| Herman “Thunderfoot” Weaver, Seattle Seahawks, Punter, Topps, 1978. |
Help Solve The King Street Neon Mystery
October 10th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | 6 Comments »
VS reader Allie sent in word that the Seattle Department of Transportation needs your help with the color of the old neon clock lights at King Street Station. Can you, or someone you know, help ? Here’s the word from Allie:
Hey Jess
Seems like you or one of your readers may know this (or know how to find out).
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/…
The Seattle Department of Transportation will use its $22,727 grant through the program to restore the four clocks – part of a larger rehabilitation of the 1906 structure, now a central hub in the region’s public transportation network.
“When illuminated at night, the clock tower will once again serve as a beacon for locals and travelers,” said Flo Lentz, of 4Culture, SDOT project manager
But there’s one mystery, the press release says. No one remembers the original color of the neon lights surrounding the clock face, and no color photographs captured the clock as it glowed at night.
City transportation department project manager Trevina Wang is looking for anyone with information about the original color. Her email is trevina.wang@seattle.gov.
Allie
Via E-Mail
10/9/08
Seems like you or one of your readers may know this (or know how to find out).
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/…
The Seattle Department of Transportation will use its $22,727 grant through the program to restore the four clocks – part of a larger rehabilitation of the 1906 structure, now a central hub in the region’s public transportation network.
“When illuminated at night, the clock tower will once again serve as a beacon for locals and travelers,” said Flo Lentz, of 4Culture, SDOT project manager
But there’s one mystery, the press release says. No one remembers the original color of the neon lights surrounding the clock face, and no color photographs captured the clock as it glowed at night.
City transportation department project manager Trevina Wang is looking for anyone with information about the original color. Her email is trevina.wang@seattle.gov.
Allie
Via E-Mail
10/9/08
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| King Street Station @ Fourth Avenue south. South of Jackson street paving center strip. Jan 10, 1944. Courtesy Engineering Department Photographic Negatives, Seattle Municipal Archives. |
Seattle Golf And Country Club 1909
October 9th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | 2 Comments »
Please find below: these 1909 photographs showing the Swiss chalet style Seattle Golf and Country Club building. It was designed by Kirtland Kelsey Cutter, also known for the Stimson-Green Mansion, Rainier Club, among other (mostly residential) projects. A quick Google search shows the golf course still in operation and I presume the old reception hall building is too. Mike pinpointed the exact location of it in the comments. UW Libraries also has this exterior photo, another with cars, and men golfing.
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| Country Club, Seattle, Washington. Cutter and Malmgren, Architects. Western Architect, July 1909. |
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| Main reception hall. Country Club, Seattle, Washington. Cutter and Malmgren, Architects. Western Architect, July 1909. |
Leveling The Hills 1910
October 8th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure | 8 Comments »
Another blasted Denny Regrade photo, you ask? That’s not change. Well, I have to admit that I’ve been up since the debate watching the talking heads and checking out the blog reaction. Lost track of the hour and now we’ re left with — another turn of the century photo of the leveling of Seattle hills. But Vintage Seattle reader Shannon did say in the comments recently that she’s into the Regrade too. This 1910 Asahel Curtis shot gives a nice sense of scale with the homes scattered among the hills. Once again it’s hard to imagine an engineering project of this scale getting done. I promise, I’ll leave the Regrade alone… for now. Click on the photo for higher res, my friends.
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| The leveling of the hills to make Seattle [Denny Hill]. Circa 1910. Photo by Asahel Curtis. Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. |
Erecting The Needle Pt. 1
October 7th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | 10 Comments »
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. |
Past Post: Talkin’ Rooftop Blues
October 6th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Past Post | 5 Comments »
Some tint jobs are better than others and this has to fall on the lower end of the scale — or as Derek pointed out, perhaps just a print error. Whatever the reason, looking at this undated vintage postcard you can see the old post office (with blue roof), the old Seattle Post-Intelligencer building, and White-Henry building, among others. Click on the thumbn ail for a closer inspection.
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| Birds-Eye View Residence Section, Seattle, Washington. W-18 |
Seattle Panorama-o-rama No. 4
October 3rd, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure | 5 Comments »
Though not on quite as grand of a scale as our last Panorama-o-rama, have a look at this photo taken from the top of the new Washington Hotel. It’s a nice look at various late 20′s signage and a clear view of the downtown retail core along Pine Street. Click on the thumbnail for a full inspection
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| View from the New Washington Hotel, a portion of greater Seattle. March 15, 1929. Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. |
West Seattle’s Christian Scientist Church
October 2nd, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings | 5 Comments »
Bill Maher’s new film Religulous opens tomorrow around the country (trailer here). I’ve got my ticket for the Lincoln Square showing in Bellevue (strangely, few Seattle theatres are running it). So what better time to take a look at a historic West Seattle holy site? This building, designed by architect Gilbert C. Field, was home to the Christian Scientist Church from 1929 until 2003 (when their dwindling congregation merged with another nearby church). These days it’s used as a gathering place for weddings, concerts, and the like — under the name The Sanctuary At Admiral. Click on the thumbnails for larger views of the photos I snapped.
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| Front of former Christian Scientist Church in West Seattle. | South face along SW Lander St. |
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| Southeast corner of building bordering alley. | Northeast corner. |
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| The sanctuary inside, now renovated into a special events gathering place. | Alternate angle of sanctuary from upper balcony. |
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| Looking back toward the bar area and balcony. Beyond the balcony is a suite. | Ornate front entry and vestibule. |
Conceptual Modern Times 1961
October 1st, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure | 1 Comment »
In 1961 the City of Seattle was busy prepping for the next year’s anticipated Century 21 Expo (aka World’s Fair). One of the many pamphlets produced to introduce the world to Seattle was Seattle The Nation’s Most Beautiful City” — a humble publication meant to show exactly why Seattle rocks so hard. Two of the most vivid examples were the Alweg Monorail and The Space Needle. Scope out these artist’s renderings and model of the grounds. Click here for a photo showing what the monorail terminal ended up looking like. As always, click on the thumbnails for larger views. Thanks to John Chilson of Lost Oregon for this material.
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| Artist’s concept of the monorail terminal in the Westlake Mall in downtown Seattle. The Alweg monorail will be capable of carrying 10,000 persons an hour from the Mall to the World’s Fair grounds a mile away. Each trip will take less than 1 1/2 minutes. From “Seattle The Nation’s Most Beautiful City” Copyright 1961, Published by Ellis Postcard Co. |
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| Rendering of the top of the Space Needle with Seattle and Mt. Rainier in background. From “Seattle The Nation’s Most Beautiful City” Copyright 1961, Published by Ellis Postcard Co. |
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| Model showing the World’s Fair grounds. From “Seattle The Nation’s Most Beautiful City” Copyright 1961, Published by Ellis Postcard Co. |
Past Post: Camlin Hotel And Cabanas
September 30th, 2008 by Cliffe | Sorted Past Post | 3 Comments »
What a day. The largest point drop in U.S. market, ever. Now that’s history 
Woah, emoticon. At the risk of merely looking back to the “good old days,” here is an old postcard showing The Camlin Hotel and Cabanas. The hotel had its own financial troubles. Just after opening in 1926, questionable withdrawals were noticed and State Supervisor of Savings and Loans W.L. Nicely said:
Woah, emoticon. At the risk of merely looking back to the “good old days,” here is an old postcard showing The Camlin Hotel and Cabanas. The hotel had its own financial troubles. Just after opening in 1926, questionable withdrawals were noticed and State Supervisor of Savings and Loans W.L. Nicely said:
“This resulted in the meeting of the officers and directors with the supervisor October 2, when it was decided, with my advice and concurrence, that instead of closing the institution, the interests of the shareholder would be better served by securing an agreement with Linden and Campbell to make restitution as far as possible by turning over to the association all of their personal and other holdings, including the Camlin Apartment Hotel, under a trust agreement, and that, under the direction of the supervisor an endeavor would be made to restore the impairment of the capital of the association, the same officers and directors to continue in office, and the completion of the Camlin Apartment Hotel, which is under construction, to be carried out.”
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| The Camlin Hotel and Cabanas. Seattle’s distinguished hotel to which has been added the attractive features of the modern motel. Smart tower rooms or cabanas with private lanais. Swim pool, sun deck. Cloud Room and Sky Terrace, high atop the tower, for dining or cocktails. Downtown, handy to everything. Plenty of free parking, free television. |
