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Past Post Archive

Jensen’s U. District Air View

March 12th, 2010 by Cliffe | Sorted Past Post | No Comments » border

Today we have a simple University District “air view” from the legendary Max R. Jensen. If you don’t know Jensen’s work from the 40’s through the 80’s documenting every facet of Seattle, now is a good time to study up in the archives. Click for the high res.

Air view of the modern busy University District, adjoining the University of Washington Campus at Seattle, Washington. The Edmond Meany Hotel is in the center of the picture. Ektachrome by Max R. Jensen.

The Ostriches @ Woodland Park 1915

February 12th, 2010 by Cliffe | Sorted Past Post | 2 Comments » border

This old Woodland Park postcard brings back memories. Not from 1915, but from my high school job working on an ostrich farm. A diversion was created while I snuck into the pen and snagged the eggs headed for the incubator. You had to be quick, lest you should get caught in a corner and kicked to death. The farmer’s wife was nearly killed by one. Enough about me, check out the 1915 card and click for the high res.

The Ostriches At Woodland Park, Seattle. Photo by Nowell & Rognon.

Postcard sent October 1915 to Newark, Ohio.

Past Post: Seattle Library 1910 & 1914

January 29th, 2010 by Cliffe | Sorted Past Post | 3 Comments » border

We’ve previously lamented the loss of the 1906 Seattle Public Library, so let’s concentrate on happier times. These cards from 1910 and 1914 show the Beaux-Arts beauty designed by Peter J. Weber. Click for the high res and only check out the demo shots if you’ve got a box of tissues and a 40 ounce nearby.

Seattle Public Library.

Postcard sent May 12, 1910.

8. Public Library, Seattle.

Postcard sent January 7, 1914.

The Old ‘Vue

January 20th, 2010 by Cliffe | Sorted Past Post | 11 Comments » border

Walking around downtown Bellevue during the workweek I constantly see flashy condo advertisements touting “the new ‘Vue” but I’m more interested in “the old ‘Vue.” Check out the ’70’s era card from Max R. Jensen. Now, I know it’s fashionable to beat up on Bellevue but I have to admit to liking a few recent additions to their skyline, especially Bellevue Towers and of course Paccar. Yes, yes, the old curmudgeon has some positivity in him after all. Click for the high res.

Bellevue, Washington, located on the east side of Lake Washington, is the state’s fourth largest city. This aerial view looks east over Meydenbauer Bay and the city’s Business District. Color Photo: Max R. Jensen.

Woodland Park Menagerie

January 13th, 2010 by Cliffe | Sorted Past Post | 2 Comments » border

One of Woodland Park Zoo’s modern day “menageries,” Nocturnal House, is closing soon. If you want to see sloths, bats, and armadillos like I do then you’d better hit the zoo rather quickly. The Times story was a reminder that I hadn’t been to the zoo in a while and would like to. I was thinking Spring when the weather gets a little warmer but I really, really need to see those sloths. Check out the turn of the century postcard from Woodland Park. Click for the high res and I’ll see you at the sloths.

Menagerie, Woodland Park, Seattle, U.S.A.

Seattle By Night

December 18th, 2009 by Cliffe | Sorted Past Post | 4 Comments » border

Just a simple downtown night shot tonight from the one and only Max R. Jensen as we head into the Christmas break. Hope you and your family have a happy holiday. Click for the high res copy.

Seattle By Night. Seattle, Washington’s downtown business district at night offers this beautiful view as seen from the top of the Space Needle. B4912-Color photo: Max R. Jensen.

New Washington Hotel Interior 1909

November 13th, 2009 by Cliffe | Sorted Past Post | 6 Comments » border

Even though there’s still some debate over Wednesday’s Third & Cherry post, let us move on. Move on, or actually move back, to 1909. This vintage postcard shows the interior of the New Washington Hotel — the “no women allowed” sign must be out of frame. If there are those braver than I who dare transcribe, please feel free in the comments. Click for higher res.

1763 — Lobby, New Washington Hotel, Seattle, Washington.

Postcard sent Dec. 17, 1909.

Seattle From South

October 30th, 2009 by Cliffe | Sorted Past Post | 4 Comments » border

Here’s another late 1970’s postcard shot straight from Max R. Jensen’s archives. Who can name the building going up in the right hand side of the frame? Should help us pin down an exact year. Click for higher res.

An aerial view of Seattle from the south shows the King County Domed Stadium in the foreground, the Downtown Business District, and the Space Needle in the background. To the left is a small part of Seattle’s busy waterfront. Color Photo: Max R. Jensen.

Sea-Tac Airport Evolution

October 23rd, 2009 by Cliffe | Sorted Past Post | 6 Comments » border

Here comes another Max R. Jensen special. This 1970’s era Sea-Tac Airport shot can be compared to these 50’s shots. One thing you’ll note is the Photoshopped jet — groovy. Click for higher res and have a nice weekend.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Color Photo: Max R. Jensen.

Downtown Seattle 2x

October 8th, 2009 by Cliffe | Sorted Past Post | 1 Comment » border

Have had a bit of a strange work schedule lately in preparation for holiday season. So please forgive the update schedule here for a while. Today we’ve got two 1970’s era shots from Max R. Jensen that must have been taken minutes or hours apart. On came the lights… Click for higher res.

An exciting evening view of Seattle, Washington’s downtown business district with majestic snow-covered Mount Rainier in the distance, 100 miles (305 km) away, and the 600 foot (183 m) Space Needle in the foreground. Also predominant in the skyline are the 42-story Bank of California Building and the circular Washington Plaza Hotel. Color Photo: Max R. Jensen.

The downtown business district of Seattle, Washington. The towering 600 foot Space Needle is seen in the foreground and majestic snow-covered Mount Rainier is clearly visible in the distance, 100 miles away. Color Photo: Max R. Jensen.

The Kingdome, It Existed

September 30th, 2009 by Cliffe | Sorted Past Post | 6 Comments » border

What if the Kingdome never existed, we asked in July 2007. Well, it did and now it’s gone. Share your memories. Once again this late 70’s/early 80’s era postcard is courtesy prolific Seattle landmark photographer Max R. Jensen. Click for higher res copy.

Seattle’s multi-purpose stadium, the Kingdome, has a maximum indoor seating capacity of 80,000. The stadium houses major sporting and entertainment events. Photo credit: Max R. Jensen.

Beautiful Green Lake

September 18th, 2009 by Cliffe | Sorted Past Post | 6 Comments » border

Though summer was slow to start this year — it seems to refuse to let go and we’ll take that. Hopefully another nice weekend for biking around Green Lake as the cold and rain wait in the wings. Click for higher res.

Bicycle path at beautiful Green Lake, Seattle, Wash. Green Lake is one of the many beautiful parks for recreation and bathing located within the heart of the city. Color photo by Max R. Jensen.

Past Post: Denny Hall 1907

August 6th, 2009 by Cliffe | Sorted Past Post | 9 Comments » border

First off, West Seattle Blog is reporting that Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist (or more recently The Sanctuary at Admiral) is Seattle’s newest city landmark. This is great news. See our original October 2008 feature with photos here.

Second off, it’s reader submission time! Bruce Jones kindly wrote in with this Denny Hall postcard from 1907. Take it away, Bruce:

I noticed you said submissions welcome… I bought this on ebay some time back. It was interesting to me because: 1. It stated “Washington State University” — betting most Cougars didn’t remember this on campus; 2. UW Digital Collections has a photo looking from the rooftop to Queen Anne

By coincidence, the back of the postcard states “This space may be used for Correspondence after March 1st, 1907″, which it was–in July, 1907. This was the first postcard I’d come across that mentioned the date when divided postcards were legal.

Bruce Jones
Via E-Mail
8/5/2009

Rhodes Bros. Co. 10c Store, Seattle, Wash. 15803–Washington State University, Seattle, Wash.

Three Exciting Views Of Seattle

July 9th, 2009 by Cliffe | Sorted Past Post | 8 Comments » border

Is “exciting” overstating it? Hmm, nah. Here are three views of downtown courtesy of some crinkle-cut late 1970’s era postcards. All are courtesy of legendary postcard photographer Max R. Jensen (more on him later) — always documenting the changing landscape. Click on the thumbnails for higher res versions.

This aerial view of Seattle from the north shows the downtown business district and part of Seattle’s busy harbor. In the center is the King County Domed Stadium. Towering Mt. Rainier dominates the horizon. Color photo by Max R. Jensen.

A view of downtown Seattle’s business district from the south with Space Needle in the background. Predominant buildings are (from left to right) the Federal Building, Seattle-First National Bank, Bank of California, and the Smith Tower. Color photo by Max R. Jensen.

An exciting evening view of Seattle, Washington’s downtown business district with majestic snow-covered Mount Rainier in the distance, 100 miles away, and the 600 foot Space Needle in the foreground. Also predominant in the skyline are the 42-story Bank of California Building and the circular Washington Plaza Hotel. Color photo by Max R. Jensen.

Gunther’s Observation Tree

July 3rd, 2009 by Cliffe | Sorted Past Post | 4 Comments » border

This probably would have been a nice vantage point for a fireworks display. I’m unsure whatever became of this structure and whether anything remains from it. Over the years this well known Seattle area postcard had this stamped on the back: “This tree is located at terminus of Lake Burian car line, large tracts of land with Sound view at this point for sale on easy terms - Geo. Gunther owner, office at terminus of Lake Burian Electric R.R. - R.F.D. No. 4 Seattle, Wash.” This interesting website also mentions Gunther’s. Click on the card’s thumbnail for higher res.

3188 — Gunther’s Observation Tree, Lake Burian, Seattle, Washington. Published by Edw. H. Mitchell, San Francisco.