As Seen From the Smith Tower

Seattle's Smith Tower's Observation Deck and Chinese Room have not been open to the public since  December 4, 2014 according to their calendar here. They are presently closed for renovation. There is no date posted for when they expect to reopen. If you have any "intell" when that will happen,  please comment!
From Wikipedia:

Completed in 1914, the 38-story, 484 ft (148 m) tower is the oldest skyscraper in the city and was the tallest office building west of the Mississippi River until the Kansas City Power & Light Building was built in 1931. It remained the tallest building on the West Coast until the Space Needle overtook it in 1962.

For decades, the Smith Tower's observation deck was a favorite vantage point. Check out these old post cards.


"Second Avenue in the business District, as seen from the top of the 42 Story L. C. Smith Building, Seattle, U. S. A." 
#3,000 Published by C. P. Johnston Co., Seattle, U. S. A. Copyrighted 1913 by Frank H. Nowell. R-40703 C. T. American Art


"Looking up Second Ave. from Smith Tower, Seattle." 
16126 Pub. by The Puget Sound News Co., Seattle, Wash


"Harbor and Second Ave. from Smith Building, Seattle, Washington" 
#1756 Edward H. Mitchell, Publisher San Francisco


"Portion of Seattle and Elliott Bay. Queen Anne Hill and Olympic Mountains in Distance." 
107872 C. T. American Art Colored. 3014 Published by C. P. Johnston Co., Seattle, U. S. A. mailed 1927


2070:-"A Partial View of Seattle, Wash" 
Photo by Asahel Curtis 1930s?



"Seattle Skyline. Viewed from the 42 story Smith Tower. Seattle's Financial district forms the foreground with the waterfront and uptown districts forming a background" 
C-59 Ektachrome by Larrie Seifert. General Natural Color. Made by Dexter Press, Inc., West Nyack. N. Y. Pub. By J. Boyd Ellis, Arlington, Wash." It appears the Alaskan Way viaduct is under construction so I'd date this about 1953.


"Seattle, Washington. From Smith Tower's observation platform 35 stories high, is seen this view of busy Seattle, Washington's major city. On the left is a portion of Puget Sound and waterfront." Natural Color from Kodachrome. Mike Roberts Color Production Berkeley 2, California. Published by C. P. Johnston Co., Seattle C971. Postcard mailed June 1954


"Seattle, Washington. Looking North from Smith Observation Tower." 
P3789. Plastichrome by Colourpicture Publishers, Inc., Boston 15, Mass., USA, Color by Roger Dudley. Pub. by Smith's Scenic Views, Tacoma, Washington


"HARBOR FREEWAY, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON" 
NEW PROCESS COLORCARD  - SEATTLE, WASHINGTON. NATURAL COLOR REPRODUCTION - CURTEICHCOLOR ART-CREATION REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. 7C-K306 (I'd love to find a better photo of that Rainier Beer billboard in the foreground!)


"Seattle, Washington - From Smith Tower's observation platform, 35 stories high, is seen this view of busy Seattle, Washington's major city. On the left is a portion of Puget Sound and waterfront. In center is new Norton Bldg."
Color photo by Max R. Jensen


"Seattle Skyline as viewed from atop the 42 story Smith Tower. The financial district is in the foreground while on the left may be seen the Alaskan Way viaduct which carries through traffic along the waterfront. Lake Union is on the far right."
Ektachrome by Clifford B. Ellis. Published by Ellis Post Card Co., Arlington, Washington 33275-B. C-59 Made by Dexter West Nyack, NY.  I believe that black building that appears in this view is the Norton Building which was completed 1959 so I believe this postcard is between 1959-1962

The Kalakala

Her nickname was "The Silver Slug". Some thought she was ugly. Kalakala means "Flying Bird" in the Chinook jargon.

From Wikipedia

She was constructed in 1926 as Peralta for the Key System's ferry service on San Francisco Bay. On 6 May 1933 Peralta burned as a result of an arson fire at the terminal where she was moored, resulting in the complete destruction of her superstructure. The hull was still intact and on 12 October 1933 the vessel was sold to the Puget Sound Navigation Company (PSNC), also known by its marketing name, the "Black Ball Line". PSNC funded a refit at Lake Washington Shipyards in Houghton, Washington (since annexed to Kirkland) to restore the vessel as a ferry.

In November 1934, William Thorniley, publicist for PSNC and president of the Olympic Peninsula Travel Association, named the new ferry Kalakala . . .

She made runs mostly between Seattle and Bremerton from 1935-1967.  I know she also made runs from Port Angeles to Victoria, BC as well.

Before the Space Needle, The Kalakala and The Smith Tower were considered THE Seattle icons.

"World's First Streamlined Motor Ferry M. S. Kalakala ~ Seattle, Wash." Ellis 1002. Mailed January 1945


"The World Famous M. F. Kalakala leaving the Seattle harbor on one of its many daily trips to Bremerton Washington." C5681 Ektachrome by Max R. Jensen Natural color by Mike Roberts Berkeley 2, Calif. Published by C. P. Johnston Company. Seattle, Washington

After she was retired as a ferry, she was used as a fish cannery in Alaska.  When she was retired from there, she was looking pretty injured and towed back to Puget Sound in 1998. She's been at a couple of different docks including Lake Union and then the last ten years she has been rotting and rusting in Hylebos Waterway in Tacoma and was considered an eyesore by many. There were plans to restore her to her Art Deco glory days and turn her in to a party venue or museum.

A few days after the Seattle Seahawks made their incredible all-hope-seemed-lost-come-from-behind win to earn the NFC spot in Super Bowl XLIX, the Kalakala was scrapped.  No last-minute miracle like the Seahawks for her. On Thursday January 22, 2015 she was slowly towed to the graving yard for scrapping.  I would love to purchase a small piece of Seattle history and even emailed the demolition company to inquire but I think they've been getting a lot of the similar requests.

My growing postcard collection includes several of the Kalakala so in tribute, please enjoy this unique structure. It will be a seek-and-find in some of them :-)


"Motor Ferry 'KALAKALA' World's first streamlined vessel in service between Seattle and Bremerton, Wash. on Puget Sound. (Kah-Lock-al-lah, Chinook for Flying Bird) is the world's first completely Streamlined Motor Ferry. The hull is divided into twenty-five water-tight compartments, making it virtually unsinkable, length over all 276 feet, beam over all 55.8 feet, passenger capacity 2,000, automobile capacity 110, has 5 decks, horsepower main engine 3,000, cruising speed 18 knots. The Kalakala is designed primarily to meet the needs of steadily increasing passenger and automobile traffic on Beautiful Puget Sound." C. P. Johnston Co., Seattle, Washington. 1C-P1990 Genuine Curteich - Chicago


"Seattle Skyline, Washington. In the foreground may be seen the all-metal ferry Kalakala while at the extreme right is the 42-story Smith Tower." Plastichrome by Colourpicture, Boston 15, Mass., ASA. Color by Lee Merrill, Tacoma, Wash. Pub. by Smith Scenic Views, Tacoma, Washington."


52 "Kalakala, Leaving Seattle Harbor on Moonlight Cruise" Chas. R. Laidlaw - Aerophoto 6A-H386 "C.T. Art Colortone" 


"Union Oil Company's Natural Color Scenes of the West. Seattle, a major Pacific Coast port and gateway to Alaska and the Orient. Tour the West this year with 76 gasoline"


"Seattle, Washington. This aerial view shows a portion of Elliott Bay, the waterfront, metropolitan area, Space Needle in the distance, Lake Union at upper right and the new freeway borders the far right of the picture. Color by Bud Kimball. Plastichrome by ColourPicture Boston, Mass. 02130"


"The Harbor Tourist - loaded with sightseers on a tour of Seattle's fascinating waterfront. No visit to this city is complete without this most enjoyable cruise." C-183 Ektachrome by Josef Scaylea Pub. by Ellis Post Card Co., Arlington, Wash. Made by Dexter West Nyack, N. Y. 39536-B


"At sunset on the Alaska Way Viaduct at Seattle, Washington. The Viaduct makes it possible to pass non-stop through the downtown business district. Docks and ships are very spectacular from the viaduct." Ektachrome by Max R. Jensen.

The Hyak was built in 1967 - the Kalakala was retired as a ferry in 1967 - they're both in this postcard.

"Seattle Waterfront - Seattle Washington This view shows the Waterfront from Ye Olde Curiosity Shop north to Magnolia Bluff. Known as 'The Gateway to the Orient,' Seattle's docks and piers accommodate ships from every country in the World At the left can be seen the new Super-Ferry M. V. Hyak as it approaches the new Ultra-Modern Ferry Terminal." Color by Pat O'Malley Plastichrome by Colourpicture Boston, Mass 12130. Distributed only by Smith-Western Co. Inc. Tacoma-Portland.

There she goes - sailing out of the picture . . .

"78 Seattle and its Famous Harbor, Washington 6A-H2682" Chas. R. Laidlaw Aerophoto. C. T. Art Colortone Reg. U.S. Pat. Off. Made only by Curt Teich & Co., Inc., Chicago. C. P. Johnston., Seattle, Washington. Postmarked September 1937

Pacific Science Center and Arches

I give a lot of face-time to the Space Needle.  I LOVE the Space Needle.  But on this, the 51st anniversary of the opening of the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, I'd like to give a shout-out to the Pacific Science Center and especially the arches.

About December 1961 - Photo used with permission: Courtesy of Seattle P-I Collection, MOHAI (CM)

Did you know the Pacific Science Center was called United States Science Pavilion, or Federal Science Pavilion during the World's Fair? The Pavilion and its arches were designed by the same architect that designed the former World Trade Center "Twin Towers".  Read more about Minoru Yamasaki here on HistoryLink. According to the Pacific Science Center website, the arches will be lit green for Earth Day today and tomorrow. They are certainly beautiful in their native white or lit with a variety of colors for special occasions and fully deserve to be featured in numerous postcards.


"Pacific Science Center - Seattle Center America's Newest Playground - Fountains, pools and graceful arches create a charming setting for the Pacific Science Center - five handsome buildings housing the greatest collection of scientific exhibits ever assembled for public viewing. The Science Center is a prime attraction at Seattle Center located on the 1962 Seattle World's Fair site."



"Pacific Science Center. The magnificent 109-ft. "Space Gothic" arches at the entrance to Pacific Science Center are dwarfed only by the 600 ft. Space needle which towers in the background. Both are outstanding attractions at America's newest playground, Seattle Center, formerly the site of the 1962 Seattle World's Fair." C13086a - Color photo by Max R. Jensen.


"Pacific Science Center. Seattle Center. A constant supply of displays and ideas are presented at this facility the year 'round. No trip to Seattle would be complete without a visit to this outstanding attraction."


"Pacific Science Center, formerly the U. S. Science Pavilion, was a major exhibit at the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. Dramatic architecture and fairyland lighting create an outstanding setting for a world famous collection of scientific exhibits. The Space Needle towers over all." C27899 Color Photo by Max R. Jensen


"Pacific Science Center was a major exhibit at the 1962 Seattle World's Fair as the U.S. Science Pavilion and now is a prime attraction at Seattle Center. Soaring Gothic arches, fountains and fairyland lighting create a beautiful setting for the Center's world-famous collection of scientific exhibits. Seattle's Space Needle towers over all." C13555a - Color photo by Mike Roberts.


"Pacific Science Center. Located in the new Seattle Civic Center, this beautiful structure was permanently constructed for the Century "21" World's Fair held in 1962. This is to be retained and kept up to date as a science center for the entire northwest." C-628 Ektachrome by Clifford B. Ellis.


"Federal Science Pavilion Seattle, Washington." P49501 by Morley Studios


"Seattle Center" "Pacific Science Center - acclaimed as one of America's most beautiful buildings, created to house the greatest collection of scientific exhibits ever assembled. Noted architect Minoru Yamasaki designed five pavilions around a beautiful series of pools and fountains, shown illuminated at night. Pacific Science Center is one of many attractions at America's newest playground, Seattle Center." C13556a - Color by Mike Roberts

Bellevue Washington

Happy 60th birthday, Bellevue!!

Bellevue was incorporated March 31, 1953.


"Incorporation of Bellevue as 3rd Class City operating under Council Manager form of Government." Fee $5.00

I haven't purchased very many Bellevue postcards but these are in my collection.  My favorite mid century King County photographer Max R. Jensen took most of them.


"Bellevue, Washington. One of the attractive and prosperous cities on the eastern shores of Lake Washington. Shopping Center in left distance." Clifford B. Ellis. Mailed November 1963


"Bellevue, Washington, located on the east side of Lake Washington, is the state's fourth largest city. A section of the main business district of this suburban city is seen."   Color Photo: Max R. Jensen.

I've been having fun comparing these next two.  They're both after 1969. You can see the SeaFirst building in the distance in Seattle which was dedicated March 28, 1969. (It's possible the top one might be as early as 1968 - the building stage of SeaFirst).  The top postcard shows J. J. Newberry's in the center.  The bottom one has Friedlander & Son's (Jeweler).  The August 30, 1972 Seattle Times writes Friedlander & Son would open it's Bellevue Square store soon.  The top postcard has "The Pacific National Bank of BELLEVUE" next to "House of Fabrics".  In the bottom postcard it appears the portion of the building "House of Fabrics" was located has been removed to build a drive-through for "Pacific National Bank of WASHINGTON".  "Baskin & Robbins 31 Flavors" is visible in the bottom postcard (the very lower left).  The strip mall on the far left looks like it's being remodeled in the lower postcard.  The clock on the street (in front of Newberry's/Friedlander's) is white/gray in the top postcard and brown in the lower one.  I would love more observations or date estimates about these postcards that you notice.


"Bellevue, Washington, located on the east side of Lake Washington is now the fourth largest city in the State. This complete, suburban shopping center, seen here, is easily accessible by the residents of Bellevue and the neighboring communities." B632 - Color photo by Max R. Jensen.


"Bellevue, Washington, located on the east side of Lake Washington is now the fourth largest city in the State. This complete, suburban shopping center, seen here, is easily accessible by the residents of Bellevue and the neighboring communities." B5556 - Color photo by Max R. Jensen.

And if you haven't already (or recently) viewed Bellevue, Washington: Over the Bridge to Gracious Living - don't miss it.


You might also be interested in my earlier posts about Bellevue which can be found here:
Bellevue 1987

East Channel Bridge Removal

Eastgate 1982

Factoria

Factoria Square March 1987

Seattle Alweg Monorail

Happy 51st birthday Seattle Monorail!

From Seattle Monorail

"The Monorail opened to the public on March 24, 1962 nearly one month before the start of the World’s Fair. At a cost of $3.5 million, the trains carried more than eight million guests during the six months of the fair, easily paying for the cost of construction. The full initial capitol cost of the system was recovered and a profit was realized by ALWEG before the end of the fair."

Here are some Monorail postcards in my collection:


"Downtown Monorail Terminal in Seattle's Westlake mall. The first high-speed Monorail system in the U.S.A. The sleek vehicle of the future whisks visitors from downtown Seattle to the World's Fair grounds - over a mile away - in 96 seconds and is being eyed by other metropolitan cities of the country for the solution of their mass transportation problems." Photo by Max R. Jensen.



"Alweg Monorail. Two symbols of modern times. The sleek Alweg Monorail, first of its kind in America, whisking visitors between beautiful downtown Seattle and Seattle Center, America's newest playground, and the 600-ft Space Needle another unique attraction at the Center, towering in the background like a sentinel." C13296a - Color photo by Morley Studios


"Seattle, Washington. The Monorail, (transportation of the future), Space Needle, Federal Science Building and Seattle's new Civic Center."


"Seattle's Monorail. One of the two trains making the 1 1/4 mile - 95 second run between the downtown station on Westlake Mall and the exposition grounds." C-612 Ektachrome by Clifford B. Ellis


"Two symbols of modern times. The sleek Monorail, first of its kind in America, swiftly whisks visitors to the Seattle World's Fair grounds and back to beautiful downtown Seattle. Like a sentinel watching, stands the 600 foot Space Needle." Color photo by Max R. Jensen C13073

Some Then and Now video:
The first minute of the "Century 21 Calling" documentary



Seattle Monorail's video for their 50th birthday celebration last year

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"