Century 21 Digital Collection
Preview up to 100 items from this collection below. Seattle’s 1962 World’s Fair showcased Seattle as a space-age city. See photos, brochures, postcards and other items related to Seattle’s 1960s vision of the future.
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View N.W. of Skyride from Gay Way [i.e. Gayway]
The Skyride of the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World’s Fair). “The Skyride, which starts in the amusement zone, ends in the International Mall on the other side of the Fairgrounds. It is something more than the typical midway ride. Cables strung 60 and more feet above the ground carry bucket-like cars, with capacities of three persons, on a 1,400 foot sky ride. The passengers see the fair below them.” (Official Guide Book, Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Acme Publications. p. 115.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00984
Date: 1962-04-18
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King Street Station interior, ca.
Transcribed from postcard: "Interior of Union Depot." During the early 1900's, there was increasing interest in connecting railroads with Seattle. The high demand and competition between railways resulted in two railway stations being built directly next to each other at 4th Avenue and Jackson Street. King Street Station (the interior of which is depicted in this postcard) was constructed in 1906 and can be distinguished by its tower. Union Station, originally known as the Oregon and Washington Station, was constructed in 1911. Confusingly, both stations were sometimes referred to as "union stations" or "union depots" due to the fact that multiple railroad lines were shared within the same terminal. For a good example of the differences between Union Station and King Street Station see spl_pc_01011 where Union Station appears in the foreground and King Street Station appears in the background.
Identifier: spl_pc_01007
Date: 1911
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Ford Motor Co. Pavilion; entrance to space trip show
Ford Motor Company Pavilion, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle Worlds Fair). "A realistic simulated journey to outer space aboard a specially constructed, 100-seat passenger spacecraft is just one of the attractions at this exhibit, one of the most popular on the grounds. Also featured is the farm of the future, a dream car, consumer products of tomorrow and a new products display. Lee Kollins, Manager." (Official press book : Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Century 21 Exposition, p. 40.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00467
Date: 1962-10
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Space Needle at night, 1962
Space Needle, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World’s Fair). “The Space Needle, a modernistic totem of the Seattle World’s Fair, was conceived by Eddie Carlson as a doodle in 1959 and given form by architects John Graham Jr., Victor Steinbrueck, and John Ridley. When King County declined to fund the project, five private investors, Bagley Wright, Ned Skinner, Norton Clapp, John Graham Jr., and Howard S. Wright, took over and built the 605-foot tower in less than a year.” (Walt Crowley, “Space Needle (Seattle).” HistoryLink.org, http://historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=1424)<br><br>Clarence E. "Gene" Voiland was a West Seattle pharmacist who enjoyed using his new Balda Baldamatic I 35 mm camera.
Identifier: spl_c21_jv_025
Date: 1962
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View S.E. from Berlin Pavilion N.W. corner of fairground
Berlin Pavilion on the International Mall of the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). “The story of a divided Berlin is told to visitors through a network of four movie projectors that keep a film constantly in operation, an illuminated map, earphones through which visitors may hear a message in English from Mayor Willy Brandt, and eight panels containing photographs of the history of the city. Gerhard Zimmerman, Director” (Official press book: Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Century 21 Exposition, 1962, p. 35)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00236
Date: 1962-04-28
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U.S. Science Pavilion interior
United States Science Pavilion, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). “Beneath five arching towers representing man’s constant striving for knowledge for the universe will be presented the most significant scientific display ever assembled…It is the United States Government’s Science Exhibit, a $9,000,000 program of participation including a giant six-building pavilion and unique exhibits dedicated to showing the peaceful uses of science. Stepping out of the textbook into the techniques of showmanship will be the authentic story of the tremendous break-throughs in the barriers which now stand between man and his conquering of space, his control of weather, disease, and over-population of the world.” (Washington State Dept. of Commerce and Economic Development. Seattle World's Fair preview. Seattle: Acme Publications, 1961, n.p.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00850
Date: 1962-10
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Space Needle & House of Light [i.e. Plywood Home of Living Light]; View S.E.
Space Needle and Plywood Home of Living Light exhibit, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). On the Space Needle: “The Space Needle, a modernistic totem of the Seattle World’s Fair, was conceived by Eddie Carlson as a doodle in 1959 and given form by architects John Graham Jr., Victor Steinbrueck, and John Ridley. When King County declined to fund the project, five private investors, Bagley Wright, Ned Skinner, Norton Clapp, John Graham Jr., and Howard S. Wright, took over and built the 605-foot tower in less than a year.” (Walt Crowley, “Space Needle (Seattle).” HistoryLink.org, http://historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=1424) On the Plywood Home of Living Light: "The unique Home of Living Light for Tomorrow, The Douglas Fir Plywood Association Exhibit which dramatizes the many possibilities of a completely new approach to home construction, is located on Freedom Way, at the north end of the Boulevards of the World. The Practical Builder, a trade publication, cooperated in the design of the house, which was created by the Tacoma architectural firm of Liddle and Jones. The walls are made of continuous wood paneling which, like corrugated packing paper, is rigid in one direction and flexible in the other. The results are walls that can take shape and still support the required roof loads." (Official Guide Book, Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Acme Publications. p. 47.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00594
Date: 1962-04-28
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Coliseum under construction; Architect: Paul Thiry; View north
Washington State Coliseum, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World’s Fair). “Superlatives are helpful in describing the fair’s $4 million theme building, for it is one of the largest clear span structures in the world; and the aluminum roof, the only one of its kind in existence, sweeps 110 ft. into the air at the apex, supported by steel compression trusses rising from massive concrete abutments.” (An Architect’s Guidebook to the Seattle World’s Fair. Seattle, Pacific Builder and Engineer, April 1962, p. 17.)
Identifier: spl_wl_sec_00468
Date: 1961-03
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Plaza of the State; Welsh singers in concert; View S.E.
Welsh Day ceremonies in Plaza of the States, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World’s Fair). Welsh Day ceremonies: “The red dragon of Wales floated high over the World’s Fair yesterday. The happy, singing people who trace family ties back to Wales were in firm control under their green-and-white dragon-emblazoned flag…Strange words, oddly pronounced but beautifully sung, drew hundreds to Welsh Day ceremonies in the Plaza of the States.” (Bob Lane, Seattle Times, June 30, 1962, p. 2.) On the Plaza of the States: “Created at the specific request of Washington’s Governor Albert D. Rosellini and erected from funds voted by the Legislature, the Plaza of the States is a flag-surrounded open-air ceremonial area used for special programs honoring the fifty states. Located in the geographic center of the fairgrounds, the area contains a bandstand, speakers’ platform and a huge, gas-fed flame font -- symbol of the unity of the states. The flame will burn throughout the 184 days of the Fair.” (Official press book: Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Century 21 Exposition, 1962, p. 65.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00780
Date: 1962-06-29
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View east on Thomas from Warren with Space Needle
Space Needle, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World’s Fair). “The Space Needle, a modernistic totem of the Seattle World’s Fair, was conceived by Eddie Carlson as a doodle in 1959 and given form by architects John Graham Jr., Victor Steinbrueck, and John Ridley. When King County declined to fund the project, five private investors, Bagley Wright, Ned Skinner, Norton Clapp, John Graham Jr., and Howard S. Wright, took over and built the 605-foot tower in less than a year.” (Walt Crowley, “Space Needle (Seattle).” HistoryLink.org, http://historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=1424)
Identifier: spl_wl_sec_01723
Date: 1962-01-21
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