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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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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Earshot Jazz, no.11, Aug. 1986
This issue begins with an introduction to personnel changes at Cornish College of the Arts, which is welcoming a new president, Dr. Robert Funk, a new music department chair, Jane Lambert, and a new jazz program administrator, Chuck Deardorf, on page 1, written by Paul de Barros. On page 2 Paul de Barros writes a short biographical article about Jane Lambert. Earshot Jazz focuses on Buddy Catlett for the spotlight biography, written by Sandy Burlingame on page 2. Gary Bannister reviews briefly his experience of the Du Maurier International Jazz and Blues Festival on page 3. On page 4, Bruce Kochis writes about the music and ensemble of The Ganelin Trio. Beginning on page 5, Earshot Jazz reviews the albums Verve by Li'l Ol' Groovemaker... Basie!, The Rainbow Lady by Janice Lakers, Lemminkainen's Adventures by the Pete Leinonen Band, Redwood Range by the Francis Vanek Quartet, and Cassette by The Michael Powers Quintet. On page 7, Paul de Barros writes a description about the Peter Britt Jazz Festival in Jacksonville, Oregon. This issue contains notes on Chuck Israels, Bill Smith, Carrie Black, Lanny Gooding and Beverly Ritz, Jeff Hamilton, Jay Clayton, Jerry Granelli, Bob Moses, Chuck Easton, The Rhythm Boys, Brad Schoeppach, and Cara Powers. Cover art is a headshot of Jane Lambert.
Identifier: spl_ej_571712_1986_02_05
Date: 1986-08
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View N.W. from Hofbrau House [i.e. Haus]
Belgian Waffle House (Gaufres de Bruxelles), Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). "Belgian waffles are famous for being widely introduced at a worlds fair, and most reference books say that it was the 1964-1965 New York Worlds Fair. They are wrong. The tasty treats were a hit first in Seattle. The New York version was a lighter waffle and is better known today, but the Belgian Waffle House was a popular spot with the Seattle crowds." (Bill Cotter, Seattle's 1962 World's Fair. 2010: Arcadia Publishing, p. 101.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00460
Date: 1962-09
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Space Needle and International Fountain at night; view S.E., 1962
Space Needle and International Fountain, 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 International Fountain: “The fountain, a fitting symbol of the fair, graces the center of Boulevards of the World. Designed by Japanese architects Kazuyuki Matsushita and Hideki Shimizu, the fountain is centered in a huge bowl-shaped granite plaza. Its surface is composed of irregular white rock chips suggesting a rocky plain on some unexplored asteroid far beyond the reaches of this galaxy.” (Official souvenir program, Seattle World's Fair, 1962. Seattle: Acme, p. 55.) <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_018
Date: 1962
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View S.W. of Blvd. West early morning; To left is partial view of playhouse
Boulevards of the World, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). "The Boulevards of the World area is the shopping center of the fair. Stores, stands and kiosks displaying the goods and gifts of a dozen nations line the gay and colorful thoroughfares that tie the five theme Worlds of Century 21 together." (Official Guide Book, Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Acme Publications. p. 119.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00947
Date: 1962-10
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Lunchtime; View east on Harrison from 2nd Av. North; weather foggy
Construction on grounds of Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair).
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00142
Date: 1962-03-07
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Camp Fire Girls Day; view N.W. on Third Av. No.
Camp Fire Girls Day at the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). “The World’s Fair flagpoles that Camp Fire Girls’ candy mint sales built were dedicated yesterday in the Plaza of the States. Some 10,000 Camp Fire Girls attended. The Camp Fire Girls’ events attracted more than 20,000 of the record number of fairground visitors yesterday.” (Seattle Times, May 6, 1962.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00356
Date: 1962-05-05
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Flower house on Blvd. East
Boulevards of the World at the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). "The Boulevards of the World area is the shopping center of the fair. Stores, stands and kiosks displaying the goods and gifts of a dozen nations line the gay and colorful thoroughfares that tie the five theme Worlds of Century 21 together. Exotic shops and restaurants are on Boulevard East, Boulevard West, Freedom Way and United Nations Way. In among the bazaars are fine restaurants and elegant exhibits. In the streets, kiosks display food and favors for sale, while along the edges are benches for the sightseers." (Official Guide Book, Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Acme Publications. p. 119.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00238
Date: 1962-07
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2 houses on Harrison between 1st Ave. & Warren; at extreme right is corner of Warren Ave. School. View N.E.
Future site of the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World’s Fair). In 1956, the City of Seattle’s Civic Center Advisory Committee selected land surrounding the existing Civic Auditorium at the foot of Queen Anne Hill for the site of the Century 21 Exposition and a future Civic Center for the city. In 1957, the city acquired the property through condemnation. With a few exceptions, including the Civic Auditorium (which was transformed into the Opera House) and the National Guard Armory (which became the Food Circus), most existing buildings were demolished. This set of photos documents the site before demolition began.
Identifier: spl_wl_sec_00217
Date: 1957-10
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