The International Fountain, Seattle World’s Fair, 1962

The International Fountain was a product of an international competition won by two Tokyo architects. It was originally designed with a basin of irregularly shaped rocks to suggest the terrain of unexplored galaxies. The fountain was completely replaced and expanded in a $6.5 million project in 1995, the sharp-edged rock replaced with a bowl and the iron nozzles with a smooth silver dome.

Photographer: Morley Studios

Image Date: 1962

Image Number: 1987.59.131.210

To order a reproduction or to inquire about permissions contact us on our website or phone us at 206-324-1126. Please refer to the Image Number and provide a brief description of the photograph.

Bird’s-Eye View of the International Fountain and Seattle World’s Fair grounds, 1962

Bird’s-eye views; Century 21 Exposition (1962 : Seattle, Wash.); Seattle Center (Seattle, Wash.)

Photographer: Morley Studios

Image Date: 1962

Image Number: 1987.59.131.64

To order a reproduction or to inquire about permissions contact us on our website or phone us at 206-324-1126. Please refer to the Image Number and provide a brief description of the photograph.

The International Fountain under construction for the Seattle World’s Fair, 1961

This photo shows construction of the enormous International Fountain, which was originally designed with a basin of irregularly shaped rocks to suggest the terrain of unexplored galaxies. The fountain was completely replaced and expanded in a $6.5 million project in 1995, the sharp-edged rock replaced with a bowl and the iron nozzles with a smooth silver dome.

Photographer: John Vallentyne

Image Date: 1961

Image Number: 1986.5.2622.1

To order a reproduction or to inquire about permissions contact us on our website or phone us at 206-324-1126. Please refer to the Image Number and provide a brief description of the photograph.

International Fountain and Coliseum Under Construction, Seattle World’s Fair, ca. 1961

“In the foreground 150-foot excavation made for the future International Fountain. The circular center will eventually be a gigantic ‘pod’ with hundreds of tiny holes out of which water will rise 100 feet in the air. Washington State Coliseum in background.”

Today, the Coliseum, now Key Arena, and the fountain are still among the most popular places at Seattle Center.

Photographer: Forde Photographers

Image Date: ca. 1961

Image Number: 1965.3598.2.9

To order a reproduction or to inquire about permissions contact us on our website or phone us at 206-324-1126. Please refer to the Image Number and provide a brief description of the photograph.

Aerial of National Guard Armory, Seattle, June 29, 1939

This aerial view looks south and west on what would later become the World’s Fairgrounds, with the the Civic Auditorium and field in the foreground and the Armory (now the Center House) in the center.

Photographer: Charles Laidlaw

Image Date: June 29, 1939

Image Number: 1983.10.17888

To order a reproduction or to inquire about permissions contact us on our website or phone us at 206-324-1126. Please refer to the Image Number and provide a brief description of the photograph.

State Republican Convention at Civic Auditorium, Seattle, 1946

Handwritten on sleeve: Republicans – Seattle – convention.

Photographer: Seattle Post-Intelligencer Staff Photographer

Image Dtae: 1946

Image Number: PI24863

To order a reproduction or to inquire about permissions contact us on our website or phone us at 206-324-1126. Please refer to the Image Number and provide a brief description of the photograph.

Opera House Interior, Seattle World’s Fair, 1962

“Well known, top name performers are featured at the Seattle World’s Fair 3, 100 seat Opera House. The decor and well planned acoustics offer pleasant atmosphere and distinct sound throughout the interior of the Opera House.”

This is a view towards the balconies. The Seattle Symphony, the San Francisco Ballet, folk musician Josh White and many others performed in the Opera House during the fair. The building is now Marion Oliver McCaw Hall.

Photographer: Unknown

Image Date: 1962

Image Number: 1987.59.145.6

To order a reproduction or to inquire about permissions contact us on our website or phone us at 206-324-1126. Please refer to the Image Number and provide a brief description of the photograph.

You might also see that the 3-D artifacts that are getting packed were on display. You can tell why we are closing the Montlake location on June 7th. There won’t be too much more to see after that date!

Monday, April 30
Favorite: Rainier Man Beer Bottle Costume, c. 1975 (1999.64.47)
MOHAI		PSMHS
36	Items	0	Items
13	Cat #	0	Cat #
7	Boxe	0	Boxes
2	Crates	0	Crates
Library	206	Boxes

Tuesday, May 1
Eddie Bauer’s Stuffed Cougar (1965.3513)
MOHAI		PSMHS
22	Items	0	Items
48	Cat #	0	Cat #
14	Boxes	0	Boxes
2	Crates	0	Crates
Library	206	Boxes

Friday, May 4
Favorite: Black Satin Velour Top Hat, c.1920
MOHAI		PSMHS
124	Items	0	Items
80	Cat #	0	Cat #
27	Boxe	0	Boxes
0	Crates	0	Crates
Library	206	Boxes
	3	Drawers	Negatives

Civic Auditorium from Queen Anne Hill, Seattle, May 29, 1929

After the partial removal of Denny Hill, Seattle was able to expand northwards past Mercer Street. The city’s Civic Auditorium, Arena, Stadium, and Veterans’ Hall were built in what is now Seattle Center. At that time, Third Avenue North went straight through regraded land, past the front of the Auditorium and up Queen Anne Hill.

This photo shows the view from Queen Anne Hill towards downtown Seattle. The Civic Auditorium and Arena, now the Seattle Opera House and Mercer Arena, stand at the corner of Mercer Street and Third Avenue North.

Photographer: Webster & Stevens

Image Date: May 29, 1929

Image Number: 1983.10.3722.3

To order a reproduction or to inquire about permissions contact us on our website or phone us at 206-324-1126. Please refer to the Image Number and provide a brief description of the photograph.

Ice Skaters at Civic Arena, Seattle, 1931

During the late 1920s, the city’s Civic Auditorium, Arena, Stadium, and Veterans’ Hall were built in what is now Seattle Center. Ice skating was one of the many activities that took place in the Arena. The Arena was refurbished for the Century 21 World’s Fair.

Photographer: Seattle Post-Intelligencer Staff Photographer

Image Date: 1931

Image Number: PI26849

To order a reproduction or to inquire about permissions contact us on our website or phone us at 206-324-1126. Please refer to the Image Number and provide a brief description of the photograph.