VintageSeattle.org

With the weather finally getting warmer it’s time to start coming out of our shells and enjoying the surrounding area. Swimming on Lake Washington anyone? Well, maybe not just yet. Here are two vintage photographs of the resplendent views we take in on a regular basis. Click on them for more resolution.

Lake Washington Boulevard and Mt. Rainier - Seattle, Wn.

Olympic Mts. and Puget Sound as seen from Seattle.

Check out this 1952 ad for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer from The Argus. The short of it is that here in the Puget Sound area we’re rich and have electricity. Surely that deserves a pat on the back. Click on the thumbnail for the higher-res version.

Only morning newspaper in one of America’s Most Prosperous areas! The State of Washington is one of the most prosperous in the Union… with a per capita income of $1,642, compared with the national average of $1,436. In the western half of this rich, able-to-buy market, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer is the only morning newspaper, with a heavy circulation concentrating in Seattle and the Puget Sound Area. This area, combining 12 counties, has 60% of the state’s retail sales, 65 % of the state’s effective buying income and 98% of its homes are wired for electricity. For advertising results, remember that “people who buy read the P.-I.!”

Every day during my commute over the West Seattle Bridge I see that neon Luna Park sign down below. Today I’m sharing a couple Luna Park litho’s sent in by Deran Ludd. His own blog should be live soon now — got an update on when Deran? Give them a click.

1200 The Giant Whirl Luna Park Seattle.

Entrance Luna Park, Seattle, Wash.

Luna Park Cafe and Natatorium Seattle, U.S.A.

Luna Park, Seattle, Wash.

1199 Shoot the Chutes Luna Park Seattle.

Fetching Vintage Seattle Player O The Week honors this week is Seattle born Tom House. He pitched for our M’s in ‘77 and ‘78, which were also his last two seasons in the majors. What’s so special about House, you ask? Well, he has admitted to using steroids in the 1970’s, has a PhD in Psychology, and was born in Seattle. Isn’t that enough to nab Player O The Week? Sure it is. Click on Tom.

Tom House, Seattle Mariners, Pitcher, Topps, 1979.

I’m running off to the airport in a few short hours (yay for 4 hours of sleep!) so I’m very quickly posting this slightly random image that I can only tie in by linking here. Nothing more to say on this one! Actually, I think we should have Shipley come up with a few “alternate captions” to keep us entertained. Take it away, JS.

The armadillo or ant eater hard as bone from Ye Olde Curiosity Shop on Colman Dock Seattle.

We’re coming up on the 100th anniversary of 1909’s Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition. For more on the upcoming Centennial, check out this Seattle Times article which even has a picture of Alan Stein (who once showed up in our comments). Sounds like an opportune time to admire some of those buildings erected for the Expo. Here’s one card’s text and thumbnails to click on.

Front: Fine Arts Bldg., Alaska, Yukon, Pacific Exposition, 1909, (Official Post Card) Seattle, Washington. Copyright 1908, by A. Y. P. Expo. Co.

Back: Portland Post Card Co., Pub., Portland and Seattle. No. X 125.

Front: Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition 1909, Seattle, Washington. Manufacture Building.

Back: Published by The American Post Card Company, Seattle Wash. (Printed in Germany). Postcard sent October 24, 1909 to Moscow, Idaho.

I do love those late 1800’s-era brick buildings down in Pioneer Square. The J&M Hotel Building, located at 1st Ave and S Washington St., was built right after the fire in 1889 for around 20 grand, with the third floor being added on in the early 1900’s. Like most buildings that went up during this time period, it features brick walls and an inner timber structure. No way was this one going to burn down and thank goodness for that. It has been a continuously operating bar and card room since the early 1900’s. Thank goodness for that too. Click on the thumbnails for a closer look. So what’s your favorite Pioneer Square building?

The facade of the building along 1st Ave.	The side of the building at S Washington St.
J&M Hotel sign.	Street sign with building in the background.
Close-up of window detail.	J&M Cafe stained glass.
Pioneer Squre street lamps illuminate the scene.	Close-up of supporting column.
Showing the front streetscape.	Detail along the S Washington St side.
Sidewalk along S Washington St.	When the f-stop value is far too low.
Column detail with years of wear.	Front on view of the building facade.

Julie from Mid Beacon Hill recently posted a few snapshots of the new building Sabey will be putting up to replace the Stock House. What do you think? Personally, I like it. Seems like a nice meeting of the old and new. Speaking of Sabey, VP Jim Harmon provided me with some further information on the history of the 1522 E Jefferson property that I’d documented here and here last week. More on that later. For now, let’s pop open a cold one and take in another vintage Rainier Beer ad and some shots of the plant from back in the day.

Rainier Beer. An American Product For Lovers Of Quality. Seattle Brewing & Malting Co. Seattle, Wash.

A few snapshots of the bottling department of the Seattle Brewing & Malting Co., brewers and bottlers of the celebrated Rainier Beer. Washington Illustrated.

All right 1930’s fans, I think you’ll like this one. Check out this incredible art deco style abstract take on the Olympic Hotel. This 1924 built Seattle institution is still operating, as is the Sorrento Hotel (did you see the recent PI article on it?). I’m looking to hit both soon with my camera. Anyone have any contacts at either that could give me a good tour? Regardless, click on this beauty to see more.

Front: Olympic Hotel. Seattle, Washington.

Back: Olympic Hotel, Seattle. Printed in U.S.A. by Lumbermens, Seattle.

Let’s get away from the past few days of dilapidation and concentrate on something brighter — 1970’s Mariner baby blue bright. Player O The Week is Dave Collins, who holds the distinction of being the first Mariner ever to step up to the plate. Though he only spent one season in Seattle, Collins enjoyed a 16 year career in the majors as a utility player. Click on Dave for a full view.

Dave Collins, Seattle Mariners, Outfield, Topps, 1978.

We’re rolling on with Part 2 of our look inside the historic 1522 E Jefferson Carmack House. If you haven’t yet, first check out the exterior shots I posted way back when, as well as Part 1 of the interior shots. A few people have asked what the current status of the property is. The last I heard (this was a few months ago) from someone at the home’s estate is that it will either be moved (the Oregon coast was the rumor at that point), preserved, or torn down. The whole block of homes was bought and torn down years ago to make way for a parking lot next to the Swedish Providence parking garage. This lot is now being built up as an addition to the parking garage. Knowing that Sabey might pay top dollar for this last remaining holdout property and that it was historic, the estate had the home up for sale in the million plus dollar range. From what I understand, it is still unsold. Let’s move on to Part 2 of the interior photographs. Click on the thumbnails for higher-res copies.

These stairs lead from the ground floor to the second floor.	Looking back down to the ground floor landing.
A bit of cracked molding.	The hardware on the second floor is less ornate than the first floor.
Second floor hallway and stairwell.	Opposite angle of the bannister.
The nails keeping the windows closed could not keep us from admiring this home.	The downtown Seattle skyline through window. This view is now a concrete wall, thanks to the new Swedish Providence parking garage addition.
One half of the master bedroom, along the front of the home.	The other half of the master bedroom, complete with bay window and archway.
The bay window detail.	Looks like Sheldon and I forgot to wipe our feet.
Typical of houses this age, even the heating vents are richly detailed.	Pieces of the plaster walls falling apart.
Second floor bathroom.	Toilet detail from the bathroom.
A second floor bedroom toward the back of the home.	Another smaller bedroom in the home. The mothballs provided the home’s fragrance.
Close-up of hardwood floor wear.	Door with a key still in the keyhole.
Many light fixtures have seen better days. Most still worked though.	You know how much I love the hardware.
Heading up the stairwell to the third floor.	This third floor room had magazines strewn about, many from the 1950’s and 1960’s. I noted one Time Magazine issue profiling Kennedy and Khrushchev.
More detail of a heating vent.	Wall and ceiling peeling away.
Wider angle view of the second floor bathroom.	Alternate angle of the second floor bedroom.
Window and wall detail.	Light coming through a second floor window.
More second floor door hardware.	Another view of a door with key.

One of the very first historic Seattle homes I profiled (see that original post for exterior shots) here at Vintage Seattle was 1522 E. Jefferson. I was interested in this property for a number of reasons. First of all, it was right across the street from my house. I saw it every day, glaring with neglect and some amazing potential bubbling from under the surface. The other reason was that the home is historically significant — it was once home to George Carmack, one of the fathers of the Klondike Gold Rush. The exterior was so intriguing that Vintage Seattle reader Daniel Sheldon and I recently saddled up to gain access to the home. It smelled of mothballs, looked like the set of a horror film, and was a really interesting time capsule. You can see just how great this home once was, with alterations being few and far between. Have a look for yourself. I’ve got more photos, so I’m breaking this into Part 1 today showing the first floor. Check out Part 2 for more photos of the second and third floors. Click on the thumbnails for higher-res versions.

This stairwell and millwork are revealed as you enter the home.	The view from the front living area. Notice the fireplace detail.
Close-up of the incredible hardware.	Paint chips away from the molding. MDF, this is not.
The formal dining room, looking toward the back of the home.	Opposite angle of the dining room, looking toward the front of the home. Interesting place for a toilet.
Dining room light fixture.	The pocket doors leading to the dining room are in remarkably good shape.
This room was either used as an eating area or family room.	Among the kitchen’s built-in cabinets is this later-era sink.
Close-up of the kitchen sink.	A peek inside the kitchen drawers.
This large piano sits in the front living room.	Some keys are permanently depressed.
The front reception area showing mill work, looking into the living area.	Opposite angle of the room outside the small kitchen.
12-over-1 double hung sash in late day light.	The first floor hardwoods.
Light filters in through the front door.	A few stained-glass windows decorate the ground floor.
Another look at the trim from the kitchen doorway.	Close-up of kitchen light fixture.

The Frederick & Nelson ghost sign on the Van Vorst Building may be disappearing, but this vintage ad is sticking around. It’s a bit of Century 21 Expo co-branding from a 1962 World’s Fair magazine. You can see an artist’s take on the old Monorail terminal (see here) as well as the flagship Frederick & Nelson store building (now occupied by Nordstrom). Click on the image for a better view.

1962 ad for Frederick & Nelson during the World’s Fair.

The cottage home revival is upon us! Modeled after the bungalow court just down the street, this Central Area cottage home is now for sale. At $400,000 this 2005 built home features 960 square feet, 2 bed, 1.5 bath, no HOA dues, bamboo floors, soapstone counters, parking, stainless steel appliances, and is within walking distance to downtown. Check out the listing here, the home’s website here, or contact Debra Hamilton directly at 425-890-7932 if you are interested. Oh, and one more thing: I’m the one selling it!

A view of the front of the home from E Jefferson St.

The side of the corner lot from 16th Ave.

The wide open living room and kitchen area.

Closer look at the kitchen.

Master bedroom with plentiful natural light and vaulted ceiling.

Second bedroom set up for office use.

Second floor bathroom with light filtering through from the shower.

Sit down and relax in your new cottage home.

Detailed look at the kitchen fixtures.

The home features bamboo flooring throughout.

Ah hell naw, Dawg? Ah hell yes, Dawg! Sorry — had to get that out of my system. In the past we’ve explored Vintage Vegas and Chicag-ey. Now I want to draw your attention to Doug Dawgz Blog covering vintage Oklahoma City. Where Didi and I post piecemeal, Doug lays down the epic posts. Case in point: this stockyard post. Check it out and don’t be afraid to add it to your bookmarks. Here are two panoramic views of Oklahoma City from 1910. Oh and Doug, no bad blood with your city stealing our Sonics away. Seriously.

Panoramic view of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma circa 1910. Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

Panoramic view of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma circa 1910. Haines Photo Co.; April 21, 1910. Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.