Many of us walk the same paths and commute by the same route, paying less attention with every trip. During Stay Home, Stay Safe many of us are slowing down, getting some fresh air in our neighborhoods, and noticing little details that can feel grounding. But with parks and trails closed, we can find even these new habits becoming familiar all too quickly.
Invite a new element into your daily stretch by discovering history on your own street. The Seattle Historic Postcard Collection is home to over 800 postcard images dating back to the late 1800’s. The snapshots capture the growth and transformation of many Seattle neighborhoods and landmarks. Search Lake Union to see the view from the Space Needle in 1962 looking out over a now unfamiliar skyline. See the World’s Fair Grounds that were designed and immortalized by renowned architect Minoru Yamasaki into the celebrated Pacific Science Center.
Travel further back in time to see Seattle’s main streets at the turn of the 20th century. The first street car line ran down 2nd Ave starting in 1884. By 1892 there were 48 miles of street car line and 22 miles of cable railway crisscrossing the city. Can you match your street corner or bus route on Google Street View with historic postcards capturing moments in their evolution? You may discover the topography and city were drastically altered by earthworks projects over time, flattening hills and changing the waterfront.
Find landmarks through the decades as they rise and age and disappear or are restored. The Denny Regrade, for example, resulted in significant changes to the cityscape.
Look out over the University of Washington Campus in 1930. View the historic halls as far back as 1905. Some of the most recent postcards show the U District of the 1950’s and 60’s.
As you explore the collection, feel free to reach out to a librarian via Ask Us chat or email on the Library’s website to find answers to your Seattle history questions.
When you have ventured back in time enough and want to take a rest, search for your favorite parks to wander in a while. Do you have any photos of the same views and trails in the collection? Share a side-by-side or even a series of shots on your social media and trade memories with friends! Are you practicing an artistic outlet you could use these as inspiration for? Try your pencil or brush at interpreting images past and present to experience them in new ways. We are all looking forward to the chance to hike, bike, walk, and enjoy these spaces again, but until we can, we are in this together.
~posted by Hannah V.
Leave a Comment