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| Looking northeast from Smith Building, across Lake Union. Photo by Webster & Stevens. The Argus, 1913. |
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| Looking east from Smith Building. Photo by Webster & Stevens. The Argus, 1913. |
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| Looking southeast from Smith Building. Photo by Webster & Stevens. The Argus, 1913. |
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| Looking south from Smith Building. Photo by Webster & Stevens. The Argus, 1913. |
Smith Tower Bird’s Eye 1913
March 18th, 2009 @ 12:25 am by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure |
There’s kind of no point in posting yet another downtown Seattle bird’s eye after yesterday’s 2.5meg behemoth. There’s also no point in holding a “what year was I taken” contest because this one’s too easy. So here they are… 1913 from atop the Smith Tower under construction. Click for higher res.
What a great grouping! Lots to look at. The northeast view is actually due north, sighting down the streets of Wallingford.
That south view is really interesting to see Union Station area.. the building up higher.. and where the bus tunnel is now.
That north/northeat view, where the streets are so incredibly huge and visible–is that for real or were they “enhanced,” as things often were back then? It just looks a bit fake to me.
No South view? I would have loved to see the ID and Pioneer Square. Great photos!
I meant “West” view of course…
Does anyone know what that large building is in the “looking east” photo? It’s closer to the camera and slightly to the right of Providence Hospital.
I think it’s the King County Courthouse at Seventh and Jefferson…
http://content.lib.washington.edu/cdm-desmo/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/imlsmohai&CISOPTR=3103&CISOBOX=1&REC=23
Yep. It’s the King County Courthouse at the top of “Profanity Hill”.
Why they built the “new” courthouse at the top of a 21% grade hill before the era of automobiles for all the lawyers (or their horses) to huff and puff up to is anyone’s guess.
The oldest part of Harborview Medical Center now sits where the courthouse once stood.
Looking closely, I think the roads in Wallingford are so visible beacause they were relatively new. The lots were recently cleared, so there wouldn’t be many mature trees blocking the view of the roads beneath.
In current photos, the urban forest in that part, or any part really, in the city is populated with mature full-height trees that obstruct a fair amount of the view of the ground from bird’s eye shots – whether they be from tall buildings or aircraft.
There’s a really cool building on Fifth, between Spring and Madison.
Four stories with a centered witch’s hat-style Queen Anne clock tower.
Does anyone know what it was? The old Federal Courthouse (the Kenzo Nakamura Building), or the lawn for thecourthouse, really, is now on the site, being refurbished for federal offices.
Might you be referring to the old Providence Hospital?
http://content.lib.washington.edu/cdm-desmo/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/warner&CISOPTR=123&CISOBOX=1&REC=9
It appears that I am. Thanks, Colin!