Seattle Center Grounds photograph collection

Seattle Center Grounds photograph collection, April 1963

Overview of the Collection

Title: Seattle Center Grounds photograph collection
Dates: April 1963 (inclusive)
1963-041963-04
Quantity: 28 photographic prints (1 box)
7 negatives (1 box)
Collection Number: PH0403
Summary: Aerial and ground views of Seattle Center six months after the end of the 1962 World's Fair.
Repository: University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions: Entire collection can be viewed on the Libraries’ Digital Collections website. Permission of Visual Materials Curator required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.
Languages: English

Historical BackgroundReturn to Top

The Seattle World's Fair, also known as the Century 21 Exposition, was open from April 21, 1962, to October 21, 1962. Close to ten million people visited the World's Fair in that six-month period. The fairground buildings were built in a relatively short period of time and more than half were torn down after the fair, including the information booth and totem pole. The buildings that remained were transformed into popular tourist attractions as part of Seattle Center, which officially opened on June 1, 1963. The United States Science Pavilion became the Pacific Science Center. The Washington State Coliseum became the Seattle Center Coliseum sporting venue (later renamed Key Arena). Other attractions, including two repertory theaters and a museum, have been added over the years. The Space Needle remains as a centerpiece of Seattle Center and a defining symbol of the Seattle skyline.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection contains aerial and site views of the Seattle Center grounds six months after the end of the World's Fair and two months prior to the official opening of Seattle Center on June 1, 1963. The sites pictured include the Flag Pavilion area and the south grounds near the Space Needle. All of the photographs were made in April, 1963.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Processing Note

Processed by Deborah Y. Hunter (2002) and Linda Corets (2003).

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Aerial Views of Seattle Center GroundsReturn to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Folder	item
1	1-7	Aerial view of grounds with Memorial Stadium, Space Needle, and Coliseum Wilson, James F, Northwest Air Photos, Port Orchard, Washington (photographer)	April 13, 1963

Buildings at South Grounds Return to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Folder	item
2	8-9	"Smile with Nile" Building	April 1963
2	10-12	Exhibit building at base of Space Needle	April 1963
2	13	Science Pavilion arches, World's Fair Information Booth (right), and building	April 1963
2	14	Information Booth sign pole and building near base of Space Needle	April 1963
2	15-16	World's Fair Information Booth, Pacific Science Center entrance sign, and Science Pavilion building at southwest entrance along 2nd Ave., North	April 1963
2	17	World's Fair Information Booth and Science Pavilion arches	April 1963
2	18	Fence at southwest entrance near 2nd Ave. North and Thomas St., with World's Fair Information Booth and parked cars	April 1963
2	19	Entrance along 2nd Ave. North at Thomas St., at the bottom of the Space Needle	April 1963
2	20	Car driving on 2nd Ave. North towards entrance at Thomas St.	April 1963
2	21	Cars parked near fence and grounds on 2nd Ave. North	April 1963
2	22	Cars parked along 2nd Ave. North below fence, Space Needle, and World's Fair Information Booth sign pole	April 1963
2	23-24	Cars parked on 2nd Ave. North below fence and Space Needle	April 1963

Buildings at Flag Pavilion AreaReturn to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Folder	item
3	25	Flag Pavilion	April 1963
3	26	Flag Pavilion and International Fountain	April 1963
3	27	Looking north toward World's Fair International Plaza and International Mall with Washington State Coliseum and Flag Pavilion poles	April 1963
3	28	World's Fair International Plaza buildings and boulevard	April 1963

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Exhibition buildings--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
Space Needle (Seattle, Wash.)--Photographs
Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)

Corporate Names

Century 21 Exposition (1962 : Seattle, Wash.)--Photographs

Geographical Names

Seattle (Wash.)--Buildings, structures, etc.--Photographs
Seattle Center (Seattle, Wash.)--Photographs

Form or Genre Terms

Aerial photographs

Archives West Finding Aid

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