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Downtown Seattle 1942 Pt. 1

June 8th, 2009 @ 12:21 am by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure |
Once again, a Vintage Seattle reader comes through with a fresh batch of old family photos to share with us. Loretta sent in these 1942 photos of downtown taken by her parents “shortly after they hopped the freight train out from South Dakota, all new to the big city.” Thank you for sharing these, Loretta. Enjoy. Click on the thumbnails for higher resolution. [see also: Part 2]
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4th and Pike. Downtown Seattle, 1942. Photo courtesy Loretta W.
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4th and Pike. Downtown Seattle, 1942. Photo courtesy Loretta W.
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Downtown Seattle, 1942. Photo courtesy Loretta W.
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Downtown Seattle, 1942. Photo courtesy Loretta W.
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Downtown Seattle, 1942. Photo courtesy Loretta W.
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Downtown Seattle, 1942. Photo courtesy Loretta W.

9 Responses to “Downtown Seattle 1942 Pt. 1”

  1. ChrisA says:
    June 8, 2009 at 1:59 am

    Thanks for these great photos, Loretta. What a privilege. This site is like a time machine.

    First one might be Fourth & Pine, where Westlake Mall is now. Not sure about the fourth one…maybe looking at the Frederick & Nelson building in the background?

    Regarding the last one, I didn’t know the Bon Marche was so short back then. I love how that Bon Marche sign still clings to existence above the 2nd floor corner window on the current Macy’s building.

  2. Gavin says:
    June 8, 2009 at 7:41 am

    I have a hard time accepting the top photo as 4th & Pike. Is that 4th & Pine? It looks like the Times building peeking out in the background.

  3. Matt the Journeyman says:
    June 8, 2009 at 9:01 am

    Thanks for these, Loretta! Shot #3 makes me really wish that the old post office had never been torn down. The “new” one doesn’t quite make the same statement.

  4. Matt the Journeyman says:
    June 8, 2009 at 12:07 pm

    @Chris A,
    I never noticed that Bon Marche sign there. I’m gonna stroll up there today or tomorrow and have a gander.

  5. Cliffe says:
    June 8, 2009 at 12:17 pm

    I just noticed the Bon Marche sign on the building the other day when I was around there. Was happy to see it.

  6. Jana says:
    June 8, 2009 at 5:25 pm

    These are wonderful! Thank you for scanning and sharing them!
    I love all the different sign styles – I think the big coffee cup one in the third one is my fave. Matt the Journeyman – is the post office the building with those numerous columns! Wow – that is impressive looking!

  7. Todd says:
    June 8, 2009 at 6:38 pm

    Sweet pictures. Thanks.

  8. Cailean says:
    June 9, 2009 at 2:24 pm

    LOVE this and so grateful for it! Ever since finding this blog I have hoped to see some 1942 photos because that’s the year our house here was built and it seems like such a magical time.

  9. Louis says:
    June 9, 2009 at 5:59 pm

    The third photo is my favorite with the Northern Life/Seattle Tower in the background. Thank you for posting these great pictures.

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