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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Space Needle looking south
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_01757
Date: 1962-05-07
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Entrance to Transportation Pavilion
Transport 21 Pavilion, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World’s Fair). “Four railroads have joined to finance a look at railroad transportation in the next century: Northern Pacific, Milwaukee, Union Pacific and Great Northern. There is a special emphasis on the integration of transportation and industry, making it easy to gather finished products for inter-city shipment. Dean Eastman, chairman” (Official press book: Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Century 21 Exposition, 1962, p. 41.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_01003
Date: 1962-10
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Interior View of State Coliseum for Century 21 Exposition
Article from January 1, 1960 issue of Progress, describing construction of Washington State Coliseum for Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair).
Identifier: spl_c21_2772486
Date: 1960-01-01
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Entrance to Alaskan Pavilion at Century 21
Alaska Pavilion of the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). "The National Bank of Commerce of Washington, which erected the building for Alaska, provides information for visitors interested in the economic development of the 49th state." The Alaska Pavilion featured displays on the social and economic story of Alaska including a projection of the Aurora Borealis on the dome of the pavilion and color photographs of Alaska scenery and landmarks. (Official Guide Book, Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Acme Publications. p. 47.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00037
Date: 1962-04-28
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Coliseum: Official French exhibit
Government of France Exhibit, in the Washington State Coliseum at the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). "Seven keys -- not answers -- to happiness in the world of tomorrow are graphically portrayed. The conclusion of the exhibit springs out of Gaston Bergers spiritual testimony, Intelligence without love is nothing. There is a section of French contributions to science, and before presenting the seven keys, a short movie develops the theme of air-supported devices." (Official press book: Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Century 21 Exposition, 1962, p. 33.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00485
Date: 1962-06-10
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Sunny last day; view So. On Blvd. East (3rd Ave. No.)
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." (Official Guide Book, Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Acme Publications. p. 119.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00338
Date: 1962-10-21
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View inside of Food Circus (Armory)
The Food Circus of the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). "Close to the center of the fairgrounds is the Food Circus, a great bustling eaters' delight. Ranged about the vast floor are 52 concessions, all producing food in its manifold phases." (Official Guide Book, Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Acme Publications. p. 137.) The building was constructed in 1938 as the Washington National Guard Armory (Architects: Floyd A. Naramore and Arrigo M. Young) and was transformed into the Food Circus for the Century 21 Exposition (Architects: Durham, Anderson, and Freed).
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_01108
Date: 1962-06-03
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View S.E. Left Information Pavilion; Back is partial view of U.S. Science Pavilion
General Insurance Company Information Center and United States Science Pavilion, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World’s Fair). On the Information Center, designed by Austin Associates: “The Seattle World's Fair Information Center is located in front of the United States Science Pavilion on Friendship Mall. It is sponsored by the General Insurance Company of America, whose home office is in Seattle. A coral-colored nylon roof tops the open-sided structure. Ten trained guides help visitors with information about the fair, Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. The guides, young ladies dressed in yellow blouses and brown skirts, have complete information on locations of buildings, exhibits and service facilities at the-fair. In addition, they will answer questions about places to see, transportation, lodging, service club meetings and sightseeing.” (Official Guide Book, Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Acme Publications. p. 64.) On the United States Science Pavilion, designed by Minoru Yamasaki and Associates and Naramore, Bain, Brady & Johanson: “The lacy pattern of this six-unit complex placed around a central court with its 100-ft. high arches is in decided contrast to the forcefulness of Coliseum 21. In a sense, the pavilion is a salute to concrete, for it is believed to represent the largest single use of precast and prestressed structural components in the nation.” (An Architect’s Guidebook to the Seattle World’s Fair. Seattle, Pacific Builder and Engineer, April 1962, p. 21.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00618
Date: 1962-02-25
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Seattle Central Library periodical room, 1910
Transcribed from photograph: "Public library. 1906-1957. Central building. Periodical room. 1910."
Identifier: spl_shp_35013
Date: 1910
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View S.E. from U.S. Science Bldg. balcony on Denny Way
Construction, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair).
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00309
Date: 1962-03-11
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