In spite of the gas shortage, inflation and other global economic troubles of the 1970s, Seattle was swinging. The Seahawks played their inaugural game in the Kingdome in August 1976, and the Mariners threw their first pitch the following spring. Then the Sonics moved in, and so did the original Sounders of the old North American Soccer League. LGBT and civil rights activists took a stand, Boeing fell on hard times and Pike Place Market was revitalized. Here’s a look back in time at Seattle in the 1970s.
Belvedere Viewpoint, 1970
Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives
The Belvedere Viewpoint at Belvedere Park in West Seattle has one of the most stunning lookouts in the city. On the east side of the park is a famous red cedar wood totem pole featuring frogs and beavers. The original 25-foot totem was a gift to the city in the 1930s from E. “Daddy” Standley, owner of Ye Olde Curiosity Shop on the downtown waterfront. It was carved by Bella Bella Indians from the Queen Charlotte Islands and became famous from use on postcards and telephone directories. Deemed beyond repair in 1966, its replacement was carved from a cedar log cut from Schmitz Park. Robert Fleischman and Michael Morgan, both Boeing engineers, donated some 300 hours of work carving the new totem, reports the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation.
Aerial of Seattle waterfront, 1970
Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives
A view of the Seattle waterfront from Smith Tower. It looks so modest compared to the bustling port Seattle residents enjoy today.
Pike Place Market, 1972
Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives
Pike Place Market has retained much of its original character. Throw in a giant white ferris wheel and an Instagram filter and you could take a similar picture today.
Gasworks Park, 1971
Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives
Gasworks Park wasn’t looking too hot in the early 1970s. This 20 acre point on Lake Union was cleared in 1906 to construct a plant to manufacture gas from coal — later converted to crude oil. The city bought the land in 1962 and the beautiful park we enjoy today was completed in 1975. The beautiful park we enjoy today was completed in 1975, complete with picnic benches and a children’s play barn.
Seattle Times building, circa 1970s
Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives
In the 1970s, the Seattle Times covered everything from the Indian Fish Wars to the development of the first startups that make up the bulk of our industry today. In 2013, the Seattle Times sold the building, which sits across from Amazon headquarters, to Onni Group in Vancouver, BC. The newspaper site featured here was built in 1930-31 at Fairview Avenue North and John Street and was deemed a city historic landmark in the mid-1990s. It is now often occupied by squatters and is a hotbed for arson.
Looking up University Street, 1970s*
Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives
The Northern Life Tower, an Art Deco landmark in downtown Seattle featured in the back right side of this photo, was built in 1929 to house the Northern Life insurance company. The business was family owned and operated until 1977 when it was sold. The company disappeared through various mergers and the office building was renamed The Seattle Tower. The Seattle Tower is a City of Seattle Landmark and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1975.
Ferry at sunset, 1970s
Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives
On July 3rd, 1977, Lynda Wheeler became the first woman to serve as a deck officer for Washington State Ferries. Her first assignment was as second mate on the ferry Walla Walla.
520 Bridge, 1979
Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives
Goodbye old 520 floating bridge. Soon you will be permanently closed to traffic and the new 520 will be taking your place as the glorious road across the water.
Seattle Center amusement rides, circa 1970
Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives
The Seattle Center’s Fun Forest, which was initially formed as the Gayway entertainment area for the 1962 World’s Fair, added major rides in 1964 to what had been primarily an assortment of carnival games. Pictured here is the wild and crazy flight to Mars ride.
Aerial view of Seattle looking north, circa 1977
Photo: Seattle Public Library
The Kingdome, named after its county of origin, took five years to build after the citizens of Seattle voted on its construction. Big events in those early years included a Billy Graham Crusade, a sold-out rock concert by Paul McCartney and Wings and the Chief Seattle Council Boy Scout Jamboree. And of course, the Seattle Mariners.
Aerial of downtown and Alaskan Way Viaduct, 1970s
Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives
Not so many shiny, tall buildings on the Seattle waterfront back then, eh?
1st Avenue near Pike Place Market, 1972
Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives
Adult bookstores, strip clubs and litter galore used to decorate 1st Avenue. The Showbox across the street was (and still is) a classic fixture in Seattle’s nightclub music scene.
*The write-up describing this photo previously misidentified the street. This has now been corrected.
