Seattle, a city known for its lush greenery, eclectic music scene, and innovative tech industry, has a rich and fascinating history. And one of the best ways to take a trip down memory lane is through old photographs that capture the city’s evolution over time.
One such photo, taken in 1937 from the top of the Smith Tower, provides a mesmerizing view of Seattle’s downtown area. The Smith Tower, once the tallest building west of the Mississippi River, was completed in 1914 and remained the tallest building in Seattle until the Space Needle was built in 1962.
The black and white photograph, captured from the observation deck of the tower, shows an aerial view of the city’s bustling streets, with cars and pedestrians bustling about their day. The photo showcases the iconic buildings of the time, including the Olympic Hotel, the Seattle Municipal Building, and the Seattle Times building.
As we look closer, we can see the city’s progress over the years. The photo shows a few notable landmarks that still stand today, such as the Columbia Center, the tallest building in Seattle today, and the clock tower of the Pioneer Building, which was completed in 1892 and remains a prominent landmark to this day.
The photo also highlights the city’s rich history of transportation, with trains running through the city and boats and ships docked at the waterfront. The Great Depression was still in full swing when the photo was taken, and the city was just starting to recover from the economic downturn. It’s a fascinating glimpse into a time when the world was very different, but Seattle was still a hub of innovation and growth.
Looking at this photo reminds us of the city’s rich history and the progress it has made over the years. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our cultural heritage so that future generations can look back and appreciate the city’s evolution. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then this photo is worth an entire history book.
