VintageSeattle.org

I had a chance to tour Knights of Columbus Hall on Capitol Hill not long ago. If you have around 250 friends, you can rent out the Colonial Room and get your own up-close look. This handsome brick Colonial Revival building went up in 1913 for the Seattle council of the Knights of Columbus, the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization. The three story building is in excellent condition, with minimal alterations. It features an ornate entry bay, a second story and roof line cornice, stepped parapets, and almost 100 years of history. Check out the high-res photos below. Be careful, however, you may want to throw a party just as an excuse to rent it out.

Facade of the Knights of Columbus Hall, built 1913.	Southwest corner of the building with “K of C Club” painted sign on brick.
East face of the Colonial Revival structure.	Back of the building.
A cloth awning replaced the original metal version.	West entrance.
Stairs leading to the third floor.	Main “Colonial Room” reception area. The 3,000 square foot room seats up to 250 people.

It’s summer. Baseball is on the mind. After a visit to Safeco Field for my birthday a few weeks ago, I thought I’d look up the older pro stadiums from years past. As it turns out, Seattle has gone through stadiums like it was a full time job. Madison Park, YMCA Park, Recreation Park, Yesler Way Park, Dugdale Park, Civic Field, Sick’s Stadium, Kingdome, and now Safeco Field. Dugdale Park lasted from 1913 until July of 1932 when it was burned down by local arsonist Robert Driscoll. It was the first Seattle stadium to use lights at night and among the players who graced the field were Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb. Sick’s Stadium was built on the same site in 1938 (there’s now a Lowes there). Scope out this vintage photo of Dugdale, well before it met its fiery demise.

Dugdale Athletic Park, circa 1907. Copyright deposit; Fremont C. Plummer; November 24, 1907; Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

During my “day job” as a game designer, one of the first steps we take in creating spaces is to whip up a few rough concept sketches. Architects use the practice as well, as these early Space Needle design sketches illustrate. I found these in an old ‘62 World’s Fair book I was flipping through last night. While definitely not as stunning as the set over at the Architecture of the Pacific Northwest Database, they do show a nice progression of ideas. The final design is said to be a compromise of Edward Carlson’s cabled balloon idea and architect John Graham’s flying saucer. Click on the thumbnails for a higher-res look.

Early cabled balloon design; flying saucer on a spire. Copyright 1962, The Craftsman Press, Inc.

Revolving restaurant with planetarium dome; cruciform shaft and disk first called the “space needle” from Art Edwards. Copyright 1962, The Craftsman Press, Inc.

Bennett’s crossed cables sketch; Ridley’s tripod in plastic form. Copyright 1962, The Craftsman Press, Inc.

Steinbrueck’s later sketch; Ridley’s new tophouse detail sketch. Copyright 1962, The Craftsman Press, Inc.

Our first and second What Year Was I Taken posts brought the VS readers out of the woodwork. It’s now time for the third installment so don’t be shy. This one is pretty easy — you get four angles. The question is: what year was this downtown Seattle bird’s-eye photo taken? Use your detective skills, pool your knowledge, show us what you’ve got. Lets see how quickly we can figure this one out. Winner(s) get their name(s) in lights. And… here are the four views.

Update: Congrats to Scott, Bryan, Shipley, Litlnemo, Julie Anne, RyanB! In the comment section, they correctly id’ed the photo was being from 1928. It was taken by Asahel Curtis from the Northern Life Building. We’ll play again soon. Full captions to follow.

Looking south from the Northern Life Tower. Above the Dexter Horton Building is shown the tower of the L.C. Smith Building, the tallest structure west of the Mississippi, and to the right of this the tower of the Great Northern and Northern Pacific depot, railroad tracks extending through the valley to the south. The bare spot on the edge of Beacon Hill is soon to be occupied by a $2,500,000 Veterans Hospital. Photo by Asahel Curtis. The Argus, December 15, 1928. Price 35 cents. Vol. 35, No. 48.

Looking east from the Northern Life Tower. Another section of Seattle’s business and apartment house district. The twin tower building is the Catholic Cathedral. In the distance, on a clear day, the Cascade Mountains, snow capped most of the year, are clearly visible. Photo by Asahel Curtis. The Argus, December 15, 1928. Price 35 cents. Vol. 35, No. 48.

Looking east from the Northern Life Tower. Overlooking a portion of hte business and apartment house district. The tower on the skyline is hte standpipe in Volunteer Park, named in honor of the soldiers in the Spanish-American war. Photo by Asahel Curtis. The Argus, December 15, 1928. Price 35 cents. Vol. 35, No. 48.

Looking north from the Northern Life Tower. In the right foreground, corner of White-Henry-Stuart Building, on ten acre tract owned by the University of Washington and under lease to the Metropolitan Building Co. In distance Lake Union, connected by ship canal with Puget Sound and Lake Washington. Beyond Lake Union is beautiful Green Lake, surrounded by a boulevard and entirely within the city limits. In the left foreground the new 1411 Fourth Avenue Building, under construction by the Metropolitan Building Co. Photo by Asahel Curtis. The Argus, December 15, 1928. Price 35 cents. Vol. 35, No. 48.

Not only is the Furuya Building being redeveloped (see Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of last week’s feature), the adjacent Corgiat Building (222 S Main St.) is as well. On the same tour I was able to snap some shots. The building went up in 1900 for real estate mogul and bar owner John Corgiat, with a hotel on the upper floors and retail at the ground level. Former ground floor retail tenants include a cigar shop, eatery, barber shop, among others. As with most Pioneer Square post-fire buildings, it is brick exterior and timber/post/beam structure. Sadly, the original cornice and parapet are now gone, as is the large plaque which read “J. Corgiat 1900.” The spaces are currently under restoration and should be completed in 11 months. Once again, thanks to Rob Brewster of ConoverBond Development for the tour.

Demolition of the basement area of The Corgiat — former home to the Comedy Underground.	Alternate angle of basement demolition.
Ground floor retail area.	Second floor landing.
Alternate angle of second floor landing.	Second floor rooms. The building was designed by architect Robert Robertson in the Italian Renaissance style.
Alternate angle of second floor rooms. Note the markings from the original lath and plaster walls, just recently demo’ed.	Looking up toward a skylight.

After yesterday’s somewhat contentious Paccar Tower post, I think it might be best to cool our jets with something a bit more peaceful. If you know your way around the blog here, you no doubt know the work of Asahel Curtis. While his brother Edward mostly concentrated on photographing Native Americans, Asahel took a keen interest over the years in documenting Washington’s natural landscapes and industries. An avid hiker, he even helped develop Mount Rainier National Park. His thousands of photographs today allow us to piece together the landscape and lives of early 20th century Seattle and surrounding areas. Here is one of his tinted Rainier pieces published in 1909. Enjoy. We’ll have more arguments over gnarly 1970’s architecture coming up!

Mt. Rainier From Spray Park. Photo by Asahel Curtis, Copyright, 1908. The Argus, 1909 A.Y.P.E. Edition. Price 50 cents. February 20, 1909. Vol. 16, No. 3. Published by H.A. Chadwick

I point you to the Downtown Bellevue Network Blog, not because I want to, but because I have to. This post in particular. Writing about Bellevue’s first tall Skyscraper, Paccar Tower built in 1970, the author states: “I’d suggest that they bulldoze the current building to make way for a new tower on one of their many properties that they hold. A new building would help improve people’s current perception, that they are a very traditional (old and set in their ways) and aging company. [...] They continue to contribute to the community in many ways, but it is time to upgrade. They ‘call home’ the ugliest building in Bellevue, and there is no way around that. It’s time to move.” End quote. Bulldoze this lonely representative of modern 1970’s near Brutalist architecture because of the general perception of The Paccar Company as old and crusty? Seriously? The Paccar Company builds trucks. Trucks. I work in downtown Bellevue and look out of our office window every day to see the Paccar as welcome concrete relief, awash in a sea of glass and cranes. I’ve said my piece. What do you think? Modernist marvel that should be preserved, 1970’s blight that should be razed, or somewhere in between?

King County Central Blood Bank Building, Southcenter Branch, Tukwila. Built 1970, designed by Seattle architect Benjamin McAdoo (the first African American architect to own and operate an extended practice in Washington), another example of early 70’s modern architecture similar to the Paccar Building. The building was based on pre-cast concrete panels to control the sun and allow a modular interior. Click here for the modern day map view.

This postcard takes us back to another time of war, World War II. It was written to the parents of Henry Coleman (of the U.S. Engineers) in December of 1944 — more than a year of fighting was left in the war. Here’s to hoping the strapping six footer made it out of France OK and had (has) a good life. Click for more resolution.

Skyline, Seattle, Washington.

Postcard written December 27, 1944 for Mr. and Mrs. John Coleman of Vandalia, Illinois.

I came across this photo while researching Queen Anne High School being converted into condos last year. It’s a sea of screaming students cheering on their fellow Queen Anne High School Grizzly football team in 1939. Note that the students closest to the camera are the most animated. Were they playing it up for the camera? Is that an apple the bottom left girl is biting into? Two people over, is that a purse or a cowbell? I’m going with cowbell. Anything else of note that I’m missing?

Queen Anne High School students at football game, Seattle, 1939. Staff Photographer Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Museum of History & Industry Photograph Collection PI25680

Like his Northwestern League brethren before him, Miller is our honorary Vintage Seattle Player O The Week. He was a crafty ballplayer — during windup you never knew if he actually had a ball in his mitt or not. The card comes from the 1910 OBAK mouthpiece cigarette collection. Click on the image for a larger version.

Miller, Seattle, N.W.L. Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

Obak Mouthpiece Cigarettes. “Convenient Sensible.” Base Ball Series 175 Subjects Selected From Pacific Coast And Northwestern Leagues. Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

Just when you thought the already chaotic bureaucratic brouhaha over the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement couldn’t get any more chaotic, Art Skolnik is seeking to have it delcared a historic landmark. It’s really a push to bring back the retrofit option to the discussion, which the state has shelved since they say it would cost 80% of a full replacement. So do you think we should declare it historic… err retrofit or replace? For the first time on this blog, I have to say it: tear it down! Check out this vintage photo of the Viaduct, taken some time in the 50’s.

At sunset on the Alaskan 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.

Our look at the historic Furuya Building in Pioneer Square rolls on (see Part 1 and Part 2). Today it’s time to detail the second and third floors, as well as the basement area. Matching the vintage photo below of the basement substation area was, well, dangerous. It was pitch black and we made our way with only the light from our cell phones (note to self: pack a flashlight next trip). Luckily no faces were broken or digits lost. The developer is hoping to turn this basement area into a restaurant or something similar. Heading up to the second floor you’ll find a nice rustic space — complete with exposed brick and heavily worn wood floors. The third floor reveals an interesting view of the 1940’s fire damage. You can see a clear line between charred structure and clean structure (probably where a fire wall once stood). The fourth and fifth stories are being re-added and will closely match the original structure (molded concrete rather than sandstone, however). Now I’ve just got to lobby my company to move into this space once it’s been re-developed. Once again I want to give a big thanks to Rob Brewster of ConoverBond Development for the tour.

Vintage photograph of the basement substation.	Modern day view of the basement.
Alternate view of the basement.	Heading up to the second floor.
Alternate angle of second floor space.	View from the back of the second floor.
Wood floor detail.	Worn brick close-up.
A look at the third floor.	You can see a clear delineation of where the fire wall stopped the 1940’s blaze.
View from the back of the third floor.	Close-up of fire damage to heavy timber supports.
Over one hundred years of wear.	Detailed bannister view.

Today we continue on with our look inside Pioneer Square’s historic Furuya Building, this time taking in the first floor. The first section of the floor we see was originally an import store, while the next section served as the Japanese Commercial Bank. Both were owned by successful Seattle businessman Masahiro Furuya. The bank opened in 1907, merged with another bank in the 1920’s, and eventually went bankrupt in 1932 as a result of the stock market crash. It was especially exciting to see the bank area with many features still in tact. Give the photos a look and come back tomorrow for Part 3 (top 2 floors and the basement).

Stepping in the front door. This area had been used as a furniture store for many years.	Opposite angle of furniture showroom area.
Odd doors stacked up against wall.	Back area of the first floor.
Stack of old radiators.	Old duratite crates.
The next half of the building is the former bank area.	Notice the detailed light fixtures and coffered ceiling.
The bank vault is still working.	Close up view of hanging light fixture.

I was recently invited to tour Pioneer Square’s historic Furuya Building and, of course, jumped at the chance. It’s not often that I’m literally given the keys to the building and allowed to photograph for as long as I want. As such, there are too many photos to contain in just one post. Today’s Part 1 will focus on the exterior while tomorrow the interior shots (where most of the fun is) will come. The Furuya was built in 1900 for one of Seattle’s most important Japanese businessmen, Masahiro Furuya. The Chicago School style building was originally two stories, with the other three coming in 1904. However, as you can see from the photos below, the top two floors were lost to fire in the 1940’s. The floor saga continues as the building, now under restoration, is getting floor four and five back. Check out the photos and come back tomorrow for Part 2. Big thanks to Rob Brewster of ConoverBond Development for the tour.

Vintage photograph of the Furuya Building.	The Furuya as seen today, on 220 2nd Ave S.
Looking north along 2nd Ave S.	Looking east along S Main Street.
A closer view of the front facade.	View of side entrance.

This ad certainly brought back some memories for me. I suppose you could say memories of cherished relationships, but not necessarily “sacred.” They were memories of living on Capitol Hill a couple years ago just a few blocks away from this building. Of course, now it’s a hip bar. Maybe that’s why my memories of it are hazy rather than sacred. It is a fun place to go to on a Friday night — the music usually isn’t bad and the interior is quite a sight. Check out the ad from the 1928 Argus, when it was The Butterworth Mortuary. I’d say this is one of the more creative adaptive re-use projects in the city. If not for the dry cleaning leakage, Deano’s could have taken a cue.

The Butterworth Mortuary. The Season of Christmastide suggests sacred memories of cherished relationships. The Argus. Dec. 15, 1928. Price 35 cents. Vol. 35, No. 48.