Ballard Locks

The U. S. Government Locks, AKA The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks AKA The Ballard Locks  are 96 years old.

From History Link

After decades of often-rancorous debate, construction of a Ship Canal to link Lake Washington and Puget Sound finally began on November 10, 1911. Following the failure of several private canal schemes, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gen. Hiram M. Chittenden (1858-1917), advanced the project, and his name was later given to the Government Locks linking the Sound and Salmon Bay at Ballard. The canal required digging cuts between Salmon Bay and Lake Union at Fremont and between Lake Union and Lake Washington at Montlake, and building four bascule bridges at Fremont, Ballard, the University District, and Montlake. The Locks officially opened on July 4, 1917, but the canal was not declared complete until 1934.

This is the opening weekend of boating season and many are making their way through The Locks which join Puget Sound to Lake Union and then on to Lake Washington.



"No. 80 in Union Oil company's Natural Color Photographic Scenes of the West. Seattle, metropolis of the Northwest and gateway to Alaska, takes its name from an Indian chief who was friendly to the settlers who first arrived in 1851. The Ballard Locks, shown here make possible passage of deep sea ships from Puget Sound into Lake Union and Lake Washington" See the West with 76 Gasoline Copyright 1939 Union Oil Company of Calif. Made in U. S. A


"Canal Locks Second to Panama, Seattle, Washington" 74031 Tichnor Quality Views. Reg. U. S. Pat. Off. Made only by Tichnor Bros., Inc., Boston, Mass. Mailed January 1944


"C2037 Government Locks, Seattle, separate Puget Sound from freshwater Lake Union and Lake Washington. Large ocean steamers easily pass through these enormous locks."  A Mike Roberts Color Production, Berkeley 2, California


"U. S. Government Locks Seattle, Washington. Second largest locks in the world. Although mighty ocean liners pass through these locks connecting Lake Union with Puget Sound, the locks will operate for even small pleasure craft as shown here."  Color by Paul L. Miller - Shostal.


"U. S. Government Locks - Seattle, Washington. Second largest locks in the world. Both mighty ocean liners and pleasure craft pass through these locks connecting Lake Union with Puget Sound." Color by Cal Harbert.


"Government Locks, Seattle, Wash. Thousands of pleasure craft as well as the largest ocean freighters pass through these locks from the waters of Puget Sound to the fresh waters of Lake Union and Lake Washington."  Ektachrome by Clifford B. Ellis. Mailed January 1970

Opening Day

Opening Day for boating and the weather is supposed to be amazing!  This is a beautiful area to enjoy water craft sports.

Vintage boating and yachting Seattle-area postcards


"University of Washington and Seattle Yacht Club, Seattle, Washington. Showing Mt. Baker in Distance" 9225 "The University of Washington was founded in 1861, just ten years after Seattle was settled. It has a 583 acre campus and now boasts an enrollment of more than 10,000 students. Lake Washington, shown to the left, is one of the three large fresh water lakes located within the city limits." Published by Adams News Co., Seattle, Wash. C Asahel Curtis


"Seattle - Great Boating Center. Boats gather in Portage Bay for opening day regatta on Lake Washington - a yearly event. Seattle Yacht Club at right, University of Washington campus in background." Ektachrome by Josef Scaylea


"Portage Bay and Seattle Yacht Club, Seattle, Wash. University of Washington campus in the distance with new medical center and stadium showing prominently." C-98 60195 Ektachrome by Josef Scaylea.


"Seattle Boat Parade" "Seattle, Washington; Boating Capital of the World. With numberless fine inland waterways and beautiful Puget Sound, boating is the most popular recreation of Seattle residents. Boat Season Opening Day is a huge civic event." Color photo by Max R. Jensen
Anybody know when that wing of the UW Hospital was being built to help me date this? There is no Evergreen Point Floating bridge under construction so it's before 1961.


"Portage Bay and University of Washington Campus, Seattle, Washington. At left center is the University medical and hospital center. At right center is the Athletic Pavilion and Stadium. At lower right is the beautiful Seattle Yacht Club." C-425 Aerial color by Clifford B. Ellis. mailed July 1962


"3002 - Seattle Yacht Harbor. Where thousands of pleasure craft are moored on beautiful Lake Washington." Photo by James W. Power.


"Yachting on Puget Sound, Wash." "3014 Lowman & Hanford Co., Seattle, Wash. (Germany)


"Fishing at Seattle's Front Door. Elliott Bay offers real sport for the lovers of salmon fishing. annual derbys are held and salmon up to 50 pounds are often caught within sight of Seattle's main business section" C-99 Ektachrome by Josef Scaylea.

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."

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

Giant Cedar Stumps

The Pacific Northwest has some remarkably giant cedars.  One famous giant cedar stump is thought to be anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000 years old.  It has been an attraction for almost 100 years.
A few mid-century postcards:

"Giant Cedar Stump on Highway 99, Washington - A group of Western Red Cedars - Thuja Placata Don - form a background for the 1250 year old giant which is twenty-five feet in diameter. Annually thousands of tourists drive through this roadside attraction." C-194 Ektachrome by J. Boyd Ellis

Same photographer, same angle and even the same postcard ID number but different car and the backdrop trees are a little larger.

"Giant Cedar Stump on Highway 99, Washington - A group of Western Red Cedars - Thuja Placata Don - form a background for the 1250 year old giant which is twenty-five feet in diameter. Annually thousands of tourists drive through this roadside attraction." C-194 Ektachrome by J. Boyd Ellis


"Washington's Giant Cedar Tree - This relic from a Western Red Cedar more than 2,000 years old stands along Interstate 5 about 14 miles north of Everett. Tourists frequently drive off the Freeway and take the short drive through the trunk. It is preserved at the request of Stillagumish residents. Placed along "Old 99" in 1922, the trunk is still a fond attraction." Color by Kyle Smith

My daughter and I had the pleasure of meeting this ancient tree stump yesterday! It is now situated at the Smokey Point rest area along I-5 (milepost 207) about eight miles north of Marysville. Cars no longer drive through it and a roof has been built over it. The sides look different and I don't know if it's deterioration or that I happened to photograph the backside.



"The Big Cedar Stump. This famous stump remains as evidence of the giant trees which once forested this area. Over 20 feet in diameter and 200 feet tall, the huge "Western Red Cedar" is believed to have been more than 1000 years old. Discovered by early settlers of the area, the following is a resume of its recorded history:
1893 - The Stump was killed by a fire which started in its hollow base
1916 - After the top was removed, Paul Wangsmo and Ole Rodway cut and chopped three spines from the core and cut archways through the stump.
1922 - After cutting the stump off at its base, Ole Reinseth and Slim Husby used horse teams to drag it north 150 yards where it was set on a concrete base.
1939 - The stump, by now cracked, was taken apart and pieced back together just north of Portage Creek, alongside the newly completed U. S. 99. On May 27, Crown Prince Olav and Princess Martha of Norway drove through the stump.
1971 - The stump's final move brought it here."

Another "famous" Washington cedar tree stump postcard I have is

History Link has this information with a slideshow of more postcards of this giant stump.
The article concludes with

Today all that remains is memories and countless postcards of the iconic abode. The original site (described on an old deed, according to Henry Lennstrom as: "The North half of the Northwest quarter of Section 27 Township 31 North Range 5 East W. M.") is notable mainly as an indistinct spot opposite the southeast corner of what is now the Arlington Airport.

Luckily, one publicly accessible vintage stump house still remains in the area. It was one that had originally been built in a huge Western Red Cedar stump by an area farmer named Joseph Kraetz. It was later sold and moved a couple times -- since 1923 it has been an attraction at the Stillaguamish Valley Pioneer Museum (20722 67th Avenue NE) in Arlington.

And the novelty of stump houses still retains attraction for many people. Indeed, from January through June, 2003, the Edmonds Historical Museum (118 15th Avenue N.) mounted an exhibit -- "Home Sweet Home: Living in a Stump House" -- that was graced by a visit from the now elderly son of Axel, Henry Lennstrom.

Ancient trees are uber-vintage!

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