Seattle Parks

The Seattle area is blessed with natural beauty. The Board of Park Commissioners was established in 1887 to oversee development of the Seattle park system. according to the Seattle.Gov page on park history. There is an AMAZING resource on Seattle park history compiled by Donald N. Sherwood known as the Sherwood Park History Files.

Seattle Park Postcards show some of this beauty.

Leschi Park

"4. Listening to the Band, Leschi Park, Seattle."


"A corner of Leschi Park, showing the Tennis Courts and Winding Boulevard, Lake Washington in the background. Seattle U. S. A." "A typical winter day in Seattle where the average winter temperature is 40 F. This photograph was taken March 3, 1914"

Japanese Tea Garden

"Japanese Tea Garden - University of Washington Arboretum" "The Japanese Tea Garden located in the University of Washington arboretum Seattle, Washington, encompassing 4 acres is the largest of its kind outside Japan. This authentic garden includes hand carved granite lanterns, moon viewing stand and a traditional stone face washing basin."

"University of Washington Seattle, Washington. One of the most colorful tourist attractions in Seattle is the Japanese Tea Garden located in the beautiful Arboretum - a moment for reflection."

Kinnear Park

"In Kinnear Park, Seattle, Washington"

"Rustic Pavilion in Kinnear Park Seattle, Washington"

Madrona Park

"26. Madrona Park, Seattle"

Mt. Baker Park

"Japanese Pagoda Lantern in Mt. Baker Park, Seattle, Washington - A Gift from Kojiro Matsukatu of Kobe, Japan"

Seward Park

"Seward Park, Seattle. Blossom time in Seward Park, Seattle, Washington where Japanese cherry trees bloom in gorgeous profusion about a picturesque shrine."

"Seward Park - Seattle, Wash. One of the fine city parks. This shows round flower bed and the Japanese Flowering Peach in bloom."

Volunteer Park

"1744 - Volunteer Park, Seattle, Washington"

"Volunteer Park Gardens and Seattle Art Museum." Ektachrome by J. Boyd Ellis.

"Conservatory - Volunteer Park. Seattle, Wash. The outdoor formal gardens together with the tropical flowers found in the beauty spot afford a wide range of floral display throughout the year" C-33 Ektachrome by F. W. Huhn

"Volunteer Park. One of Seattle's many beauty spots. The Seattle Art Museum may be seen just beyond the water storage reservoir. Lake Washington in the distance."

University of Washington

My parents are both graduates of the University of Washington.  My husband and I and as of last year our son also graduated from there. Three generations of Huskies.

This weekend marks their 151st birthday.  From Wikipedia

UW opened officially on November 4, 1861, as the Territorial University of Washington. The following year, the legislature passed articles formally incorporating the University and establishing a Board of Regents. The school struggled initially, closing three times: in 1863 for lack of students, and again in 1867 and 1876 due to shortage of funds. . . .

 . . . The University relocated from downtown to the new campus in 1895, moving into the newly built Denny Hall. The regents tried and failed to sell the old campus, and eventually settled on leasing the area. The University still owns what is now called the Metropolitan Tract. In the heart of the city, it is among the most valuable pieces of real estate in Seattle and generates millions of US$ in revenue annually. . . .

. . . Organizers of the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition eyed the still largely undeveloped campus as a prime setting for their world's fair. They came to an agreement with the Board of Regents that allowed them to use the campus grounds for the exposition. In exchange, the University would be able to take advantage of the development of the campus for the fair after its conclusion. This included a detailed site plan and several buildings. The plan for the A-Y-P Exposition prepared by John Charles Olmsted was later incorporated into the overall campus master plan and permanently affected the layout of the campus.

Not surprisingly, I have some old postcards that I would like to share in tribute to this special occasion.


"604 - University of Washington Campus Seattle, Washington - Library and Physics Hall, with Vista of Mt. Rainier. Just ten years after the city of Seattle was founded in 1861, the people of the territory of Washington started the University of Washington. From that day, now more than 75 years ago, the University has progressed to where it now boasts one of the most beautiful campuses in the United States. With an enrollment of 12,000 students, it ranks among the highest educational institutions in the country, and produces world famous athletic teams. Genuine Curteich-Chicago "C. T. Photocrom" Post card. C. P. Johnston Co. Seattle, Washington" Postcard mailed June 1952



"Library, University of Washington, Seattle. Natural Color K Card from Kodachrome. A Mike Roberts Color Production, Berkeley 2, Calif. Published by C. P. Johnston Co., Seattle. C3742"


"A section of the University of Washington campus at Seattle. The campus covers 582 acres, all beautifully landscaped. The building to the right is the Library and to the left Savery Hall. Ektachrome by Max. R. Jensen. Natural Color K Card from Kodachrome. a Mike Roberts Color Production. Berkeley 2, Calif. Published by C. P. Johnston Co., Seattle C5699"


"University of Washington Campus, Seattle, Wash. This view looking across Frosh Pond shows Johnson Hall Administration Bldg., Parrington Hall, Library and Physics Hall. C-409 Ektachrome by J. Boyd Ellis. Pub. by J. Boyd Ellis, Arlington, Washington 3978"


"University of Washington. This aerial view of the lower portion of the campus shows the Athletic Pavilion and Stadium. Union Bay and Lake Washington are beyond. Ektachrome by Clifford B. Ellis"