Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Seattle Freeway Revolt Activists collection, 1950-2019
Overview of the Collection
- Compiler
- Seattle ARCH (Organization)
- Title
- Seattle Freeway Revolt Activists collection
- Dates
- 1950-2019 (inclusive)19502019
- Quantity
- 6.87 cubic feet (7 boxes)
- Collection Number
- 6285 (Accession No. 6285-001)
- Summary
- Materials from individuals and organizations involved in Seattle's Freeway Revolt of the late 1960s and 1970s.
- 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
-
No restrictions on access.
- Languages
- English
Historical NoteReturn to Top
The years 1968 to 1980 marked a period of organized opposition to three major Seattle freeway plans: the R.H. Thomson Expressway, the Bay Freeway, and a massive new I-90 Mercer Island bridge. Citizen opposition, most intense from 1968 to1972, led to the defeat of the R.H. Thomson and Bay Freeway in citywide referenda in February 1972. Opposition to the freeways then focused on I-90 plans and included protracted legal challenges, interaction with regulatory agencies, and initiatives to reduce the project impact and scope.
From the early years of the freeway revolt until plans for the I-90 Mercer Island Bridge were finally resolved more than a decade later, activists were engaged in a variety of related issues. A wide range of organizations also became involved, from community associations to civic groups, environmental organizations, and more. This collection incorporates these diverse efforts.
The origins of this collection date to 2013, when a small group in Seattle’s Montlake neighborhood convened to discuss ways to preserve the history of the freeway revolt. Those present agreed that this far-reaching citizen movement had largely faded from public awareness over the four-plus decades since it began. The “Ramps to Nowhere” in the Washington Park Arboretum--ramps that literally stopped in mid-air at the edge of the park--were familiar to many Seattle residents. But very few people seemed to know much, if anything, about how those old freeway ramps came to be there, or about the citizen revolt they symbolized. An important civic heritage was on the verge of being lost.
A group called Seattle ARCH (Activists Remembered, Celebrated and Honored) was formed and set out to unearth as much information as possible about the freeway revolt. Through tracking down any and all living activists and others involved in the movement they were able to secure many files and artifacts. Seattle ARCH also reached out to local historians and information professionals, who enthusiastically embraced their efforts and provided valuable information, expertise and assistance.
Information provided by Anna Rudd and Priscilla Arsove.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The collection contains documents and ephemera collected from individuals and organizations involved in Seattle’s Freeway Revolt of the late 1960s and 1970s, including letters, meeting minutes, flyers, newsletters, press releases relating to citizen efforts to defeat Seattle freeway plans. To name a few: Citizens Against the RH Thomson Expressway (CARHT); University of Washington mathematics professor Maynard Arsove; Citizens Against Freeways (CAF); Margaret Tunks; Citizens for Sensible Transit; and Forward Thrust.
The collection focuses on the years 1968 to 1980 and documents organized opposition to three major freeways planned for Seattle: the R.H. Thomson Expressway; the Bay Freeway; and a new I-90 Mercer Island bridge. The R.H. Thomson and Bay Freeway in citywide referenda were defeated in February 1972. The collection documents efforts including legal challenges, interaction with regulatory agencies, and initiatives to reduce the impact and scope of the I-90 Mercer Island bridge.
The collection includes a print copy of the “Seattle’s Freeway Revolt: A Directory of Historical Resources.” See the administrative note field for series arrangement. See the related materials note field for link to online copy held by the Seattle Public Library.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Creator's copyrights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
Arranged in 7 series.
- Series 1, ACTIVIST ORGANIZATIONS
- Series 2, OTHER INVOLVED ORGANIZATIONS
- Series 3, TASK FORCES AND COMMITTEES WITH ACTIVIST PARTICIPATION
- Series 4, MAJOR FREEWAY PROJECTS
- Series 5, RELATED INITIATIVES
- Series 6, ANCILLARY MATERIALS
- Series 7, RELATED EPHEMERA
Acquisition Information
Donated by Seattle ARCH (Activists Remembered, Celebrated, and Honored), 2017-2019; Priscilla Arsove, John F. Barber, Ruth A. Brandwein, Emory Bundy, Donald A. Gibbs, Jean Godden, George Gunby, William L. McCord, Anna D. Rudd, Eugene H. Smith, Tim Tunks, Preston Schiller, Brock Evans, Roger Leed, and Margaret Tunks
Related Materials
Related material can be found in the following collection: Virginia K. Gunby papers
A physical copy of Seattle’s Freeway Revolt: A Directory of Historical Resources can be found in UW Libraries Special Collections . A digital copy can be found at the Seattle Public Library .
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series 1: ACTIVIST ORGANIZATIONSReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box | ||
| 1 | Seattle's Revolt: A Directory of Historical
Resources |
2017 |
| 1 | Introduction to the Collection: A User's
Guide |
2019 |
1.1 Citizens Against the RH Thomson Expressway
(CARHT) |
||
| Box | ||
| 1 | 1.1.1 Histories and timelines |
1969 |
| 1 | 1.1.2 Organizational records |
1969-1982 |
| 1 | 1.1.2.1 Articles of Incorporation and
Bylaws |
1969-1970 |
| 1 | 1.1.2.2 Membership and financial records
|
1969 |
| 1 | 1.1.2.3 Meeting agendas, minutes and working
notes |
1968-1981 |
| 1 | 1.1.2.4 Correspondence, position papers, statements,
testimony, press releases and working notes ) |
1968-1982 |
| 3 | 1.1.3 Bulletins, flyers and related
materials |
1969-1981 |
| 1 | 1.1.4 Maynard Arsove papers, not otherwise filed
(also see No Expansion SR 520) |
1969 |
| 3 | 1.1.5 News clips and articles about and by CARHT
& CARHT representatives |
1970 |
1.2 Citizens Against Freeways (CAF) |
||
| Box | ||
| 1 | 1.2.1 Correspondence, position papers, statements,
testimony, press releases and working notes |
1970-1977 |
| 3 | 1.2.2 Bulletins, flyers and related
materials |
1968-1970 |
| 1 | 1.3 News clips and articles by and about CAF, TCC
and WCST and their representatives |
1968-1978 |
| 1 | 1.4 Transportation Coordinating Committee
(TCC) |
1969-1972 |
| 1 | 1.5 Washington Coalition for Sensible Transportation
(WCST) |
1972-1977 |
| 3 | 1.6 Margaret Tunks papers, not otherwise
filed |
1969-1980 |
| 6 | Citizens Against Freeways - Misc. Court
cases |
1972, 1974 |
1.7 The I-90 Majority/The IRATE 90 (also see Central
Seattle Community Council) |
||
| Box | ||
| 1 | 1.7.1 Organizational records |
|
| 1 | 1.7.1.1 Correspondence, position papers, statements,
testimony, press releases, working notes |
1978-9180 |
| 1 | 1.7.1.2 Financial records |
1978-1981 |
| 1 | 1.7.2 Bulletins, flyers and similar
materials |
1978-1982 |
| 1 | 1.7.3 News clips |
1978-1979 |
| 1 | 1.7.4 John Barber papers, not otherwise
filed |
1971-1981 |
Series 2: 2 OTHER INVOLVED ORGANIZATIONSReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
2.1 Community Associations |
||
| Box | ||
| 1 | 2.1.1 Central Seattle Community Council (CSCC);( also
see The I-90 Majority/The IRATE 90) |
1967-1982 |
| 1 | 2.1.1.1 Correspondence, position papers, bulletins
|
1970-1980 |
| 1 | 2.1.1.2 News clips |
1967-1982 |
| 1 | 2.1.2 International District Improvement Association
(Inter*Im)/Jackson Street Council |
1954, 1982 |
| 1 | 2.1.3 Lakeside Avenue South Association |
1976 |
| 1 | 2.1.4 Laurelhurst Community Club |
1969 |
| 3 | 2.1.5 Leschi Improvement Council |
1963-1976 |
| 1 | 2.1.6 Montlake Community Club |
1968-1978 |
| 3 | 2.1.6.1 Announcements and newsletters |
1968-1978 |
| 1 | 2.1.6.2 Correspondence and news clips, mostly related
to RH Thomson corridor and houses |
1968-1969 |
| 1 | 2.1.7 Mount Baker Community Club |
1969-1970 |
| 1 | 2.1.8 Ravenna Community Association |
1967-1972 |
| 1 | 2.1.9 University District Community
Council |
1971-1976 |
| Box | ||
| 1 | 2.2 Transit-focused Organizations |
|
| Box | ||
| 1 | 2.2.1 Central Area Citizens Committee |
1967 |
| 1 | 2.2.2 Citizens for Sensible Transit |
1967-1968 |
| 1 | 2.2.3 Committee on Rapid Rail Transit and Focus on
Freeways (both by Elmer Allen) |
1970, 1976 |
| 1 | 2.2.4 Environmental Exchange for Transit Election
Action |
1970 |
| 1 | 2.2.5 Put Transit Across (Seth Jackson,
Chair) |
1975 |
| 1 | 2.2.6 Rapid Transit Only, Please |
1970 |
| 1 | 2.2.7 Seattle Transit Alliance and Transport
Quarterly, Seattle Consumer Action Network (SCAN) |
1979-1981 |
| 1 | 2.2.8 Transit Patrons Association (David Sprague,
Chair) |
1970 |
2.3 Civic and Political Organizations |
||
| Box | ||
| 3 | 2.3.0 Black Student Union, University of
Washington |
1970 |
| 3 | 2.3.1 Citizens Planning Council (CPC) |
1961-1967 |
| 3 | 2.3.1.1 Bulletins |
1961-1967 |
| 3 | 2.3.1.2 News clips |
1961-1970 |
| 1 | 2.3.2 Democratic organizations |
1979 |
| 1 | 2.3.3 League of Women Voters |
1967-1974 |
| 3 | 2.3.4 Mt. Baker Community Action Group |
1967 |
| 3 | 2.3.5 Municipal League of Seattle and King
County |
1967 |
| 1 | 2.3.6 Seattle Liberation Front |
1970 |
| 1 | 2.3.7 Seattle Urban League |
1969 |
| 1 | 2.3.8 Students Against Highway Lobby |
1972 |
2.4 Environmental Organizations |
||
| Box | ||
| 1 | 2.4.1 Environmental Works |
1970 |
| 1 | 2.4.2 Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs,
Conservation Center and Sierra Club (Brock Evans, Northwest
Director) |
1966-1976 |
| 1 | 2.4.3 Mercer Island Environmental Council |
1970-1971 |
| 1 | 2.4.4 The Shoreline League |
1969 |
| 1 | 2.4.5 Washington Environmental Council (also see I-90
Shoreline Hearings Appeal) |
1970-1971 |
2.5 Transportation Professionals’
Organizations |
||
| Box | ||
| 1 | 2.5.1 Committee on Modernization of Electric
Transportation (COMET) |
1970-1972 |
| 1 | 2.5.2 Seattle Chapter, National Society of
Professional Engineers |
1970-1978 |
| 1 | 2.5.3 Seattle Professional Engineering Employees
Association (SPEEA) |
1969-1972 |
2.6 National Organizations |
||
| Box | ||
| 1 | 2.6.1 Highway Action Coalition, Washington,
DC |
1971-1973 |
| 1 | 2.6.2 Louisiana Student Association, New Orleans,
LA |
1972 |
| 1 | 2.6.3 National Coalition on the Transportation Crisis
(NCTC), Washington, DC |
1972 |
| 1 | 2.6.4 The Rolling Resistance, Troy, NY, and CONTACT,
Arlington, VA, consolidated |
1978-1980 |
| 1 | 2.6.5 Sierra Club, Transportation Activists Network,
San Francisco, CA |
1988 |
Series 3: 3 TASK FORCES AND COMMITTEES WITH ACTIVIST PARTICIPATIONReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
3.1 Clean Air Task Force, Seattle Chamber of
Commerce |
1972-1973 | |
| Box | ||
| 1 | 3.2 Citizens Organization for Rapid Transit Systems!
(CORTS!), Washington State Senate, |
1980 |
| 1 | 3.3 Forward Thrust, Environment/Transportation and
Transit Project Reviews |
1969-1970 |
3.4 Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle
(METRO) |
||
| Box | ||
| 2 | 3.4.1 Transit Technical Advisory Committee
(TAC) |
1969 |
| 3 | 3.4.2 MetroTRANSITion |
1972-1978 |
| 2 | 3.5 Seattle City Transportation issues,
assorted |
1971-1972 |
| 2 | 3.6 Urban Transportation Citizens Advisory Committee
(unidentified sponsor) |
1970-1971 |
Series 4: 4 MAJOR FREEWAY PROJECTS Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box | ||
| 2 | 4.1 Overview Table of Major Freeway Projects |
2019 |
4.2 R.H. Thomson Expressway [Empire Expressway until
1961] and SR 522 (also see Citizens Against the RH Thomson file) |
||
| Box | ||
| 2 | 4.2.1 Histories and reports with maps |
1966-1971 |
| 2 | 4.2.2 Montlake houses in right-of-way: Don Gibbs’
correspondence and related |
1968-1970 |
| 2 | 4.2.3 Save the Arboretum, Rally and related
materials |
1961-1969 |
| 2 | 4.2.4 Correspondence, flyers and working notes, not
otherwise filed |
1967-1970 |
| 2 | 4.2.5 RHT news clips (also see Montlake
houses) |
1960 |
4.3 Bay Freeway (also see Citizens Against the RH
Thomson file) |
||
| Box | ||
| 2 | 4.3.1 Histories and maps |
1970 |
| 2 | 4.3.2 Financial records: CARHT and Vote No Bay
Freeway Committee |
1971-1972 |
| 3 | 4.3.3 Minutes, correspondence, position papers,
statements, testimony, press releases, bulletins, flyers and working notes
|
1962-1974 |
| 3 | 4.3.3.5 Arsove letters re: Vote No Bay Freeway
campaign correct placement |
1971-1972 |
| 3 | 4.3.4 Citizens’ lawsuit, correspondence and
related materials |
1970-1972 |
| 3 | 4.3.5 News clips |
1960-1974 |
4.4 I-90 Third Lake Washington Bridge (aka I-90 Mercer
Island Bridge) |
||
| Box | ||
| 2 | 4.4.1 Histories and timelines |
1974-2001 |
| 2 | 4.4.2 David Rudo meetings |
1966, 1970 |
| 2 | 4.4.3 Corridor neighborhoods, housing, parks and
Adler v. Brinegar |
1962-1974 |
| 3 | 4.4.3.1 Correspondence, publications, photos, lists,
maps and working notes |
1967-1989 |
| 3 | 4.4.3.2 News clips |
1966-1989 |
| 2 | 4.4.4 I-90 Design options |
1970-1971 |
| 2 | 4.4.4.1 Mayor’s I-90 Citizens’ Advisory
Committee correspondence, working notes and Report |
1970-1971 |
| 2 | 4.4.4.2 Proposals by individuals |
1967-1978 |
| 2 | 4.4.4.3 I-90 Citizens Committee (Earle Osborne,
Chair) |
1979 |
| 3 | 4.4.4.4 News clips |
1974 |
| 2 | 4.4.5 Public proceedings |
|
| 2 | 4.4.5.1 Air, noise and other environmental
concerns |
1970-1980 |
| 2 | 4.4.5.1 U.S. 13th Coast Guard District |
1971-1972 |
| 3 | 4.4.5.3 State Shoreline Hearings Appeal |
1971-1973 |
| 2 | 4.4.5.4 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
1972, 1973, 1979-1980 |
| 2 | 4.4.5.5 Puget Sound Governmental Conference and
transit |
1971-1974 |
| 2 | 4.4.5.6 Withdraw and Substitute efforts (also see
I-90 Majority) |
1975-1980 |
| 2 | 4.4.5.7 Memorandum Agreement (aka MOA) |
1976, 1977-1979 |
| 3 | 4.4.5.8 Safety issues: the Bulge and the Reversible
lanes |
1977-1980 |
| 2 | 4.4.5.9 METRO I-90 Transit Access |
1978-1982 |
| 3 | 4.4.5.10 Environmental Mediation Panel, working
notes only |
1979-1980 |
| 3 | 4.4.6 Citizens’ legal actions |
1970-1982 |
| 3 | 4.4.7 News clips, not otherwise filed (3 folders:
1962-69 including the infamous Nov 66 RH Thomson/I-90 Interchange drawings,
1970-74, 1976-90) |
1962-1990 |
4.5 Other Proposed Freeway Bridges |
||
| Box | ||
| 2 | 4.5.1 4th and 5th Lake Washington
bridges |
1967-1970 |
| 4 | 4.5.2 West Seattle bridge |
1968-1975 |
| 2 | 4.5.2.1 Histories |
1968-1977 |
| 3 | 4.5.2.2 Citizens for an Alternative to the West
Seattle Freeway, correspondence, flyers, legal actions, and related
materials |
1972-1977 |
| 5 | 4.5.2.3 News clips |
1970-1976, 1979 |
Series 5: 5 RELATED INITIATIVESReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box | ||
| 2 | 5.1 Overview Table of Related Initiatives |
2019 |
| 2 | 5.2 Citizens’ legal challenge to Omnibus Highway Bill
of 1969 |
1969 |
| 2 | 5.3 Repeal the 18th Amendment, State Initiative
37 |
1970 |
| 2 | 5.4 Cut the Gas Tax, State Initiative 274 (related to
new variable gas tax) |
1968-1972 |
5.5 Vote YES 348 Committee (complement to Repeal the
NEW Gas Tax, State Initiative 348) |
||
| Box | ||
| 2 | 5.5.1 Correspondence, press releases, working notes
and related materials |
|
| 2 | 5.5.2 Bulletins, flyers and related
materials |
1977 |
| 2 | 5.5.3 News clips |
1977 |
5.6 Seattle Initiative 21: Put Transit Across
(I-90) |
||
| Box | ||
| 2 | 5.6.1 Transit 21 Initiative and signature
drive |
1979-1980 |
| 2 | 5.6.2 Transit 21 election campaign |
1980 |
| 5 | 5.6.2.1 Correspondence, minutes, bylaws, position
papers, statements, and working notes |
1979-1980 |
| 5 | 5.6.2.2 Bulletins, flyers and related materials (2
folders) |
1980 |
| 2 | 5.6.3 News clips |
1979-1980 |
| 5 | 5.6.4 The legal challenge: selected pleadings,
correspondence and working notes |
1980 |
Series 6: Ancillary MaterialsReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box | ||
| 2 | Maynard Arsove by Priscilla Arsove and related
materials
Personal narrative developed for this collection
|
2002-2019 |
| 2 | John Barber
Personal narrative – developed for this collection
|
2016-2019 |
| 2 | Ruth Brandwein and related materials
Personal narrative – developed for this collection
|
1970s, 1989-2019 |
| 2 | Emory Bundy, introduction by Priscilla
Arsove
Personal narrative – developed for this collection
|
2013-2017 |
| 2 | Brock Evans, introduction by Priscilla
Arsove
Personal narrative – developed for this collection
|
2015-2017 |
| 2 | Don Gibbs, Saving a Neighborhood, Saving a
City
Personal narrative – developed for this collection
|
2019 |
| 2 | Jean Godden
Personal narrative – developed for this collection
|
2016, 2019 |
| 2 | Bill McCord
Personal narrative – developed for this collection
|
1970-2019 |
| 2 | Anna Rudd, Women of the Seattle Freeway Revolt and other
Ruminations
Personal narrative – developed for this collection
|
2019 |
| 2 | B. Eugene Smith documentation for Chap. 10, Montlake an
Urban Eden |
1959-1976 |
| 2 | C. The Montlake Community and RH Thomson Expressway, A
Case Study; Margaret Connon Johnson |
1979 |
| 4 | SR 520 before No 520 Expansion Misc |
1978-1994 |
| 4 | No 520 Expansion Trans Lake Study; V. Gunby |
1995-1999 |
| 4 | Misc. No 520 Expansion |
1994-2010 |
| 4 | Misc. Correspondence |
1995-1999 |
| 4 | SR-520 Relevant Articles |
1999 |
| 4 | Arboretum and SR 520 Environmental Concerns |
1995-1999 |
| 4 | Prohibition of Tolls on SR 520 Bridge |
undated |
| 4 | Dissenting Report of the Trans-Lake Study |
undated |
| 4 | Problems with expansion of SR 520 |
undated |
| 4 | Prohibition of Tolls on SR 520 |
undated |
| 4 | Before the Washington State Highway Commission -
Findings |
1970 |
| 4 | Misc. I-90 Reports |
1969-1978 |
| 4 | Misc. Report Booklets |
1967-1969 |
| 4 | Misc. Reports relating to Public
Transportation |
1967-1980 |
| 4 | Environmental Statement SR 90 - JCT SR 5 to West Shore
Mercer Island |
1972 |
| 4 | Final Environmental Impact/Section 4(f) Statement;
Volume I: EIS Text |
1977 |
| 4 | Final Environmental Impact/Section 4(f) Statement;
Volume II: Comments and Responses |
1977 |
| 4 | Final Environmental Impact/Section 4(f) Statement;
Volume III: Technical Appendix Part A |
1997 |
| 4 | Final Environmental Impact/Section 4(f) Statement;
Volume III: Technical Appendix Part B |
1977 |
| 4 | Final Environmental Impact/Section 4(f) Statement;
Volume IV: Environmental Analysis for 4(f) Determination |
1977 |
| 6 | Access Report - I-90 |
1971 |
| 6 | Mercer Island I-90 Design Report |
1971 |
| 6 | I-90 in Seattle: A Design Teams Response to the Problems
of the Freeway in Seattle |
1970 |
| 6 | I-90 Transit Access Study: Phase I Final
Report |
1979 |
| 6 | Draft Environmental Impact/Section 4(f) Statement;
Volume I Part A |
1975 |
| 6 | Draft Environmental Impact/Section 4(f) Statement;
Volume I Part B |
1975 |
| 6 | Draft Environmental Impact/Section 4(f) Statement;
Volume II- Technical Appendix |
1975 |
| 6 | "Seattle and I-90" Booklet, Seattle PI 1972 Election
Special (originals), Seattle Magazine |
1969-1972 |
Series 7: RELATED EPHEMERAReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box | ||
| 6 | Bumper stickers |
1969-1980 |
| 7 | CARHT letterhead and envelopes |
undated |
| 7 | I-90 and Transit 21 - letterhead |
undated |
| 7 | "Don't Pave the Lake Put Transit Across it"
t-shirt |
undated |
| 7 | "Stop I-90" Seward Park Run-A-Thon t-shirt |
1979 June 24 |
| 7 | Early CARHT mailing list on index cards |
1968-1969 |
| 7 | "Welcome to Seattle, Portal to the Pacific Northwest"
postcard |
undated |
| OS Map | Urban Transportation Plan - City of Seattle
Transportation Planning Committee
Currently in Preservation
|
1969 February 10 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Community activists--Washington (State)--History--Sources
- Express highways--Washington (State)--History--Sources
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
Corporate Names
- CARHT (Organization : Seattle, Wash
