Vintage Seattle is a nostalgic look back at our city’s past, so why not get nostalgic about this past year of blogging? Though, to be fair, the site has only been open for 8 months let’s just go ahead and say year. Call it “revisionist history.” We’ve been through a lot this year, haven’t we? Portland flamefests, hovercrafts, illegally sneaking into abandoned sites, preservation defeat, (some) preservation triumphs — it’s been fun. When all was said and done, 136 posts were made, 340 comments posted, 29 gigabytes of vintage imagery transferred, and 158,000 hits came through. I should thank my girlfriend Anna for having patience while I spend way too much time and money on this blog. Also should thank all you loyal Vintage Seattle readers for sticking with me. I hope you’ll join me in 2008 for more of the good stuff. Here’s a chronological survey of our doings this year, with commentary. This time click on the images to be whisked to the thread and *then* hit the high-res imagery.
|
|
|
The blog officially opens on May 3rd, 2007 with a warm welcome. One day later the first feature is posted — this Reframe of Seattle Fire Station No. 7 on Capitol Hill. A few haters come to the party as well as a few well wishers.
|
May 5th sees the first of many vintage postcards featured. The shot of the Seattle waterfront would also serve as the blog masthead. I first learned how hard it would be to decipher some cards. My brother “Briggs” checks into the comments with a cryptic in-joke.
|
|
|
|
Next up was the Denny Regrade, where Maarten chimed in with some comments. A few blogs started linking to VS. Author cries tears of joy.
|
The first historic building profiled was South Lake Union’s Troy Laundry Building. At the time, I lived just across the street from it and saw it on dog walks nearly every day. Crickets can be heard in the comments section.
|
|
|
|
I move to the Central Area and find this incredible old home completely abandoned and decrepit. It turns out the property is significant and Sabey builds a parking garage around it as the owner asks $1 million +.
|
Going into the second month I visit the old Sand Point Naval Air Station Commissary Store at Warren G. Magnuson Park while researching abandoned structures for my day job. The day content becomes night content as I post for the blog. Ryan comments that his grandfather had worked there during WWII.
|
|
|
|
We examine a 1902 advertisement for West Seattle real estate. Many WS folks check into the thread to chip in with identifying some of the buildings pictured.
|
VS readers are encouraged to name the ‘64 Emmy winners. Todd destroys the competition and wins lavish praise.
|
|
|
|
The King, Elvis Presley, makes an appearance on the blog as we look at some World’s Fair stationary. The readership is all shook up. Author polishes his skills on yet more bad jokes.
|
It’s hot, it’s July. Washington Hall is profiled and is in jeopardy of becoming part of the massive condo project called “Seattle.” A nice fellow from the Sons Of Haiti walks me through the building, including the basement where we wade through a few inches of water to get to the old boiler room. I love it.
|
|
|
|
Vintage Seattle readers gobble up this vintage postcard from ‘62 with an image of the world’s largest cake from the World’s Fair. Later, the record is beaten by Las Vegas. Seattle locals drown their sorrows by eating large amounts of cake.
|
After snooping around some government archives, I stumble upon this interesting floating stadium design that was proposed in 1963. Metroblogging Seattle calls it “another candidate for a world-class implosion.” Well put.
|
|
|
|
August rolls around and it’s even hotter. While updating the blog I develop an ice-cream eating habit. On August 7th, I post the first part of my trip to the Rainier Cold Storage complex.
|
And of course I then post the second set of images from the interior of the building. This was an amazing experience as this is a one of a kind structure. Soon to be exploited, of course.
|
|
|
|
In late August, Live Historic is kind enough to show me around their newest condo conversion called Queen’s Court. The building is simple and quaint and the workmanship impressive. Ben Rankin struck me as a developer who respects the building.
|
All hell breaks loose as I post a link to John Chilson’s Stumptown Confidential Blog. Jeffrey Kopp weights in on the comments slamming Chilson. Stumpheads then rally to defend him and the blog with Jeffrey being called a “world class twit.” The comments officially spiral into a flame-fest. One poster threatens to kick another’s “snack cake eating a$$.” Another reader simply ends the madness with a well placed “Shipoopi!”
|
|
|
|
September hits and Live Historic invites me back to tour The Pittsburgh Condos. The building is beautiful, as is the restoration. I noted that this is a place I would have looked at if I were in need of a studio.
|
I find a random relic from the ‘62 World’s Fair in the form of a press release touting the hovercraft showing there. The one hovercraft fan reading this post decides not to comment. Crickets once again invade the comment section.
|
|
|
|
Later that month I duck out of work to go check out the vintage Marina-style Bellevue Safeway that’s about to meet the wrecking ball. The post generates interest from eastside bloggers and catches the attention of Kemper Freeman Jr. who decides not to build a massive faceless condo on the site. Just kidding about one of those.
|
October begins with a visit to the awesome Rolland Denny Mansion. The exterior of the house is impressive though I was disappointed as much of the house was off limits. Not wanting to get booted by the barbershop quartet playing, I decide not to enter the roped off areas.
|
|
|
|
I shout out to prolific VS commenter Didi and her cool Chi-town blog Bright Lights Dim Beauty. That’s a city I’ve always wanted to live in and Didi shows me why.
|
In mid-October horizons are expanded as I reach out to vintage Seattle sports fans. The first card is of one Dan Doornink brought about by special request from Jonathan Shipley. He gleefully internet-shouts “I HEART DOORNINK!”
|
|
|
|
By the end of the month I visit the Wonder Bread Bakery site in the Central Area as it is literally being torn down. Nice timing, but I had just missed the Bridge Motel and won’t ever forgive myself.
|
November started out strong as we had a look at this MacDougall & Southwick ad from 1900. Shipley longed for a pair of chinchilla reefers.
|
|
|
|
Next up was a visit to the ultra-impressive First Hill Painted Lady for sale by Seattle high-end real estate powerhouse Wendy Lister. She sends her assistant who I mistakenly refer to as Wendy.
|
Who could resist a little 520 Bridge bashing? I certainly couldn’t — and a number of VS readers couldn’t either. Some interesting highway related discussion ensues.
|
|
|
|
Later in the month Larry Wilcynski of ek Real Estate introduces me to the Robinson house and the history behind it. Old photographs of the home and previous owners are posted.
|
The next day, pictures are posted of the house as it currently stands. Owner Anne Fisher was very kind to show me through the house and tell me some great stories of days gone by.
|
|
|
|
Next we took a peak at the ‘79 Mariners Program and Shipley hands out the “completely pointless Mariner Baseball Awards for 1979.”
|
Seattle Brewing and Malting’s Rainier Beer comes back to haunt the blog with this great ad. A few Sabey people check in by e-mail to discuss said ad.
|
|
|
|
December starts off strong as Anna and I visit the incredible West Seattle “Herren House.” Kurt Metzger of Windermere takes us on a tour and we are both staggered. Just great.
|
There are so many photographs to be seen of this property, that I split them into two and post the second installment. The 100 year old toilets captivate me and provide obvious pun material.
|
|
|
|
The ek Group invites me back, this time to view Trace Lofts. I had read a lot about the project through Matt Goyer’s Blog and was eager to view the property. The building does not disappoint and the sewing machine display doesn’t either.
|
Rick Engles is selected as Player O The Week. Shipley is not impressed, but I am so I e-mail Engles through his machinery company to tell him he’s been selected. He doesn’t respond.
|
|
|
|
Past postcards end with yet another historic Seattle building being disrespected by a shark-like developer. The Paper Noose Blog hears us.
|
The year is rounded out with a first-time feature as former Coliseum theater projectionist Mike Lewis sends in some personal anecdotes. I hope we see more of these personal recollections in 2008.
|
