Vintage Seattle

Don’t forget to get out and vote or get your ballot in the mail. The photo below shows Daniel Evans, 16th Governor of the State of Washington, a Republican who served from 1965 until 1977. One thing we can tell for sure: they dressed better back then.

Click for high res.

Image shows Governor Evans shaking hands with Thor C. Tollefson, Director of the Department of Fisheries, as he receives a certificate of appreciation, February 28, 1975.

Thor Carl Tollefson (1901-1982), Representative to Congress from Washington State, was born in Minnesota and later moved to Tacoma, Washington in 1912. In 1930, he graduated from the University of Washington Law School in Seattle, and became a Pierce County prosecutor in 1938. In 1944 Tollefson ran as a Republican in the race for Representative of Washington State in the 6th district, which then covered all of Pierce and King counties except the city of Seattle. He lost to Democrat John Coffee that year, but ran again in 1946 and this time was successfully elected to the 80th Congress. He was re-elected to the next seven congresses, serving as a Representative consecutively from January 1947

to January 1965. During his congressional career, he served on the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee from 1949 to 1964. In 1964, Tollefson was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection to the 88th Congress. Following his Congressional career, Tollefson was appointed director of fisheries for the State of Washington and later served as special assistant to the Governor in charge of international fisheries negotiations. He died December 30, 1982 in Tacoma, Washington.

Image courtesy Washington State Digital Archives.

Red Mill Tavern 1985

October 29th, 2010 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure |

17 Comments »

Well, this was a fun one to figure out.

I didn’t recognize the buildings in

the foreground but some background buildings gave it away.

This 1985 Red Mill Tavern shot from Michael Shellenbarger

seems to show 2nd Ave between Union and University, facing south.

Click here for the modern day shot.

Exterior of the Red Mill Tavern and surrounding business area, 1985.

Photographed by Michael Shellenbarger. Photo courtesy University of Oregon Libraries, Architecture of Oregon & the Pacific Northwest.

Jensen’s U.W. Aerial

October 25th, 2010 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure |

4 Comments »

I don’t know of a better way to start the week than tak ing

in a Max R.

Jensen photograph. This time around he went upward for the aerial shot of University of Washington, I-5, Evergreen Point Floating Bridge, and Cascades.

Click on the thumbnail for

the full-res krinkle cut.

This aerial view to the east of Seattle shows

the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge spanning Lake Washington.

The Cascade Mountain Range forms the background while the University of Washington campus can be seen at the front. Color photo by Max R.

Jensen.

Passing Luna Park 1910

October 21st, 2010 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure |

7 Comments »

Below find a circa 1910 photograph of a ferry boat passing Luna Park on its way to Alki Point, a trip that cost just 10 cents at the time. I don’t find tons of great shots of Luna Park and this one is fairly clear.

Also love the trio tied to the buoy.

Click for the high res.

A ferry boat with passengers passing in front of Luna Park at West Seattle, circa 1910.

In the foreground is a small dingy with three aboard tied to a floating buoy. Photographer unknown. Image courtesy Washington State Digital Archives.

Support Pike Place Market

October 18th, 2010 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure |

15 Comments »

I know this might be a little too hardcore for some, but check out this 1974 photo showing the back of the “Public Market Center” sign at Pike Place Market. Look at that column! What’s it doing there

? When’s it from

? Where’ d it go

? So many questions!

It’s a little hard to tell from the modern view. Yet I think this Seattle Daily Photo may show it. Click for high res and join us in the discussion comments. Aha! Andy pointed out in the comments that Allen’s 1910 shot shows it as some kind of light pole.

Nice catch.

Photograph showing the back of the “Public Market Center” sign by Marion Dean Ross, May 5, 1974.

Image courtesy Visual Resources Collection, Architecture & Allied Arts Library, University of Oregon Libraries.

Jensen’s Nightlife

October 14th, 2010 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure |

15 Comments »

What would a week be without some Max R.

Jensen photography? Let’s get to it with this Jensen night shot which looks like it was probably taken in the late 1950′s. One of the “best lighted cities in the United States” — I did not know that. Click for the high res goodness.

A section of metropolitan Seattle at night.

One of the best lighted cities in the United States.

Ektachrome by Max R.

Jensen.

75 Years Of Spud Pt. 2

October 11th, 2010 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure |

3 Comments »

Last week Annie Arnold

was kind enough to send in photos and information about Spud’s 75th Anniversary. I asked her if she had any further photos and she promptly sent these over.

I particularly like the exterior shot from 1945 — what a fantastic, clean design.

Love the lettering on the building, too. I asked Annie about the building since I didn’t really recongize it and she said that it has gone through three iterations through the years and unfortunately none of

the original garage is still in place. Click for higher res.

Alki Spud, 1945. Photo courtesy Annie Arnold.

Alki Spud interior, late 1940′s. Photo courtesy Annie Arnold.

Alki Spud interior. Photo courtesy Annie Arnold.

75 Years Of Spud

October 4th, 2010 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure |

7 Comments »

You’ve probably seen Spud whie cruising around Alki, perhaps in search of the city’s tastiest fish and chips.

Annie Arnold was digging up memories for the fast food joint’s 75th anniversary

and sent me an e-mail and some photos.

She writes:

As someone who appreciates the rich history of Seatte and a West Seattle resident, I thought you might appreciate some photos I just gathered to help with the 75th anniversary celebration.

I’ve been digging around in West Seattle to find folks who recall the restaurant’s earliest years. Spud began as a garage-like building on the beach in 1935 and is Seattle’s oldest fast food restaurant (and among the nation’s oldest remaining seafood shops).

Glenn Brewer and his wife Ginger live in West Seattle, just blocks from the restaurant and his childhood home.

His mother, Evelyn, was one of the first employees at the Spud in 1938 and took over the business while the founders, Jack and Frank Alger, went off to war. He’s full of great stories about how Spud became a favorite of all the war-time soldiers who referred to his mother as “mom.”

I’ve also spent some time chatting with the current manager at Spud, Carol Kelly, who’s stayed 38 years. Their stories of the community’s dedication to this little fish and chips shop through the years are really great and I think a lot of local folks would love to know more about the restaurant’s humble beginnings when fish and chips cost just 10 cents and patrons layed their sails out to dry in the lot next door.

I’ve attached a few of Glenn’s photos and some interesting facts about the restaurant. Let me know if you’d be interested in chatting with any of them to do a post on this. I’m happy to help however I can. I’ve got gobs of old photos.

There was a celebration at the restaurant Wednesday, Sept. 15, to mark the anniversary.

Best,
Annie Arnold

Spud photos courtesy Annie Arnold.

Spud photos courtesy Annie Arnold.

Jensen’s Swedish Medical

September 28th, 2010 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure |

5 Comments »

We’ ve got more Max R.

Jensen photography coming your way — this time Swedish Hospital Medical Center.

Who can place the date

? Click for the high res shot.

The Swedish Hospital Medical Center is a 475 bed non-profit community hospital at 1212 Columbia Street, Seattle, Washington.

The Center also includes the Tumor Institutute, Artificial Kidney Center and Pacific Northwest Research Foundation.

Color photo by Max R.

Jensen.

2nd And Union Sepia

September 23rd, 2010 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure |

11 Comments »

On Monday we had a look at this sepia toned 1950 shot and today we have another sepia toned snapshot from further back.

Exactly when is anyone’s guess as the Washington State Digital Archives

did not have a date on this one.

It’s an interesting window into the early days of Seattle and its wooden structures. Click for high res.

Photo of part of Seattle with many wooden homes and other buildings, including two large buildings with cupolas.

One building has “Steam Laundry” written on it and another has signs that say “Chas. Louch” and “Cigars Tobacco Groceries and Provisions.” Photo by Warner and Davis.

Image courtesy Washington State Digital Archives.

Aerial First Hill 1950

September 20th, 2010 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure |

6 Comments »

Vintage Seattle reader Ron

Edge

was kind enough to send in this high-res aerial shot of Downtown and First Hill taken in August of 1950. Thanks for the submission, Ron.

And remember folks, that I’ m always looking for co

mmunity submitted photographs.

Do send!

Downtown and First Hill aerial photograph, 8/11/1950. Photo courtesy Ron Edge.

Jensen’s Blue Haven Motel

September 15th, 2010 by Cliffe | Sorted Photo Exposure |

5 Comments »

With summer fading fast here in Seattle you just might have time for one last road trip.

Take Highway 99 and take in the America that once was.

Or just enjoy this shot from Max R.

Jensen showing the Blue Haven Motel.

A road trip with Google street view shows nothing still standing.

Click for high res.

Blue Haven Motel, located one-half mile south of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, on Highway 99. Eighteen modern units, Singles, Doubles, Twins, and three room apartments. Kitchens, T-V, and Radio.