Here it is, folks. Max R. Jensen p rese
nts, the S.
L. Savidge Chrysler / Plymouth / Dodge dealership — probably shot in the 1960′s.
According to the Department of Neighborhoods this building went up in 1947-48 and served as
the car dealership until the late 1970′s. What do you know — it’s
still around today as a library facility. Click for higher res.
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| S. L. Savidge, Inc., 9th and Lenora St., Seattle, Washington 98121 — Chrysler – Plymouth — Dodge — Dodge Trucks. Serving Seattle Since 1926. Published for Max R. Jensen, Seattle, Wash. |
Love it, great building. Looks to be in the Streamline Moderne style with its curving corner and small porthole windows. And the Google maps location is almost identical to this photo.
Many of the cars in the photo are more recent than the 1960s.
In fact, I’m pretty sure the blue car on the showroom floor is a 1973 Dodge Colt. (Compare with this image: http://imcdb.org/vehicle_19902-Dodge-Colt-1973.html)
Since Chrysler would be showing off their hot new car, I’d say this image was taken in 1972.
– Geoff
Not just any library, Washington Talking Book and Braille Library. The corner “showroom” is still in use as a children’s area open to all children but specializing in services to those with vision loss.
Yay! I have always wondered what this building was before it was the Braille Library! Love this building.
Such a cool building. It’s blue now right?
The sky above this scene is shockingly free of leasable floorspace.
Matt: Don’t tempt fate.
Jess: LOL. I didn’t meant the patch of sky above this building (long may birds fly there). I meant the sky “in general” above Seattle at that time. This shot looks straight into what is now shin-height on a number of glass and steel towers. It’s just odd to see nothing at all except the Westin there.
This is something I’ve know about for years….there is a famous collection of record albums called “The Crusin’ Series”. They re-create classic Top 40 radio of the 1950′s and 60′s. Each album is a different year, with a different DJ in a different city….not only the songs, but on-air patter, commercials, promos, etc.
The volume for 1966 features legendary KJR jock Pat O’Day–and he does a tag line after a Chrysler commercial referring to the S.L. Savidge Company
Ownership has recently been transferred to the State of Washington, as they now operate the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library (as of 7/1/08); the Seattle Public Library’s Mobile Services division is still in the building (SPL used to operate the Braille library, too). Technically, it’s considered a condominium space now, and the Seattle Police Department uses the roof for parking.
I spent quite a few summers hanging around downtown in the 60s at S.L. Savidge (my father worked there). Between the dealership and the Pike Place Market was great fun for a teenager. Mr. Savidge had a tremendous hunting collection that knocked me out (remember the grizzly bear?). It was the heart of the city, rock n roll was supreme and the cars all American.
By the way, the building was designed by a famous group of architects still around today (NBBJ).