Category Archives: Seattle Confidential

Paul and Jean at Town Hall

James Street Alley blend
James Street Alley blend

Join us for an evening of entertaining yet erudite edification at Seattle’s Town Hall, 7:30 PM, this coming Friday! Historical whimsy mixed with a whiff of sulfur and a touch of elysium.

Also, come early (or stay late) to explore the redecorated North Lobby, jam packed with Now and Then comparisons hot off the presses. Reception follows the (very) illustrated lecture.

A World-Class MOHAI

Paul and I visited the spanking new Museum of History and Industry a couple of days before its grand opening and explored this Northwest treasure. Photos follow from both of us, in no particular order:

(as always, click to enlarge photos)

The new museum gleams in the light of the setting sun
Paul at the front desk
Dorpat gazes out from a sculpture carved from the Wawona
Inside, looking down toward the water of Lake Union
Inside the sculpture looking up
Genny McCoy with the Wawona
Historian Lorraine McConaghy lectures the assembled
Photo curator Howard Giske (R) with cycle collector and historian Thomas Samuelsen.
Slo-Mo-Shun, of course
The main floor from above
Exhibit Designer
Looking down on the main floor, Boeing's original mail plane in flight
MOHAI's periscope relocated - in the Maritime Room. And the views are great!
Looking north from the Maritime Room
Celluloid Seattle designer Julianne Kidder with Exhibits Manager Mark Gleason
Celluloid Seattle remembers the drive-in, with a Mustang convertible
Celluloid Seattle's celebration of films made in Seattle - this one featuring Naomi Watts
Sherrard with now & then photos taken for Celluloid Seattle
Dorpat with pals
MOHAI supporter Georgie Bright Kunkel stands next to the original sculpture she donated
Another view from above
Paul with some MOHAI staff members outside
Paul with Argosy Captain Karen Allred
Mohai emerging from the clouds
A MOHAI panorama

 

 

Seattle Suburb – PARIS, 1930

While searching The Seattle Times for something completely different, we came upon this revealing link between the principal cities we often blog about.  This appeared first in the Times for Oct. 26, 1930.  It can be read if you click it  – probably twice.  The sculpted illuminations of the page include a novelty that suggest that the art for it may have been arranged far away.  Seattle’s skyline is flipped.

(Click TWICE to Enlarge)

Seattle Confidential – DON SCOTT IS (part two)

Don Scott on the dish line at the Copacabana, Pike Place Market. Behind Don, Celeste (aka Estelle) Franklin waiting tables. ca. 1980
King County Administration Building, detail ca.1980
One Way, ca. 1979, near the waterfront foot of Seneca Street. HEADLINES: Gusts up to 89 mph Two-year Sentence Bombing Suspect Obscenity Ban wins Stolen Jewels Found A Night of Terror 3-Missing Halt Porn Ban U.S.Russ set talks to Curb Arms Sales Tough Exercise is Good for the Heart State Population Rebound Arrive from Mexican Jails Mondale Seattle to Desegregate Metro Drivers Reject Offer Promised Land
Framed Window as Frame, Tacoma ca. 1980
1550 - Street address, Seattle
Click to Enlarge

Seattle Confidential – DON SCOTT IS (part one)

DON SCOTT IS or was one of the Seattle artists, with Rolon Bert Garner and Ken Leback, responsible for EQUALITY, a piece – or several pieces – of sculpture dedicated in 1996 in Sturgus Park at the north end of Beacon Hill in the early afternoon shadow of the Art Deco Marine Hospital, more recently home to an internet distribution company.   I photographed this detail from the piece sometime soon after the ceremony.

Thanks For the Memories Continuing . . . Bingo

By a photo editor's decision the unidentified man on the right is to be given one-half of a column for some news story. The photograph is used compliments from Seafair, and was copied from their archives long ago. Like the Bob Hope snaps printed earlier this one dates from 1962 . . . I assume. Does the queen look the same? For what may be most readers born since 1960, say, the man in the middle is the Tacoma-Spokane baritone, Bing Crosby. "If I could be like Bing forever I would sing, ba-ba-ba-boom . . .ba-ba-ba-boom."

Seattle Confidential – SECOMA ca. 1982

Driving to Tacoma on old 99 you may miss Secoma, except for the signs, and of the two showing here the bowling alley survives although with mix reviews.  (They may have a new sign.)  In 1982, the approximate date, there was no exposing media like YELP to broadcast the range of criticisms about almost anything that amounts to another roadside attraction.  The complimentary ones seem written to form.  The critical reviews  make the reviewers seem insulted by the place – their foolishness for paying six dollars for a beer in a place that takes only cash.  You wonder if either or both were written by the lane’s owners or its competitors.   The winter day we drove to Tacoma was too cold for the feeble heater in the VW Karmen Ghia.   Secoma was new to me and the signs big enough to read from a distance that allowed a quick stop.   If it is the motel that is having the grand opening then it may be new owners that are celebrating, for the big sign is weathered, although still somewhat grand.   There survives a listing for a pubic phone in Secoma, which I imagine is the one set here near the base of the motel sign.  It must take enough calls for the tel. company to keep it around.   I remember trying the alternative, “Tattle” or perhaps Taatle.”    (Click to Enlarge)