West Seattle, Washington

16 Tuesday

47℉

West Seattle history 762 results

Mark your calendar: Why November 13th will be a day to remember
October 20, 2008 9:04 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Alki Statue of Liberty | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

statue.jpgWhatever you do on Thursday, November 13th, might just wind up making history. Southwest Seattle Historical Society/Log House Museum director Andrea Mercado has word of a plan that not only will commemorate the anniversary of the Denny Party‘s landing (this year, it’ll be the 157th anniversary), but also will fill the time capsule that is to be buried next year at the new Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza. According to Andrea, SWSHS plans to collect photos and other items nov1308snw.pngfrom all over Seattle — NOT just WS — to create a collection of items showing life in Seattle as it’s lived on November 13, 2008. That could include almost anything – minutes from a meeting that’s held that day, a photo of parents walking to school with their kids, a list from someone’s grocery-shopping trip that day, something a class of schoolchildren works on that day … This plan is the result of brainstorming that included a meeting this past weekend to plan the time-capsule effort. Lots of details remain to be worked out, including exactly how/when the items will be accepted, once November 13, 2008, is in the books. But right now, Andrea adds, they need help in a couple of ways: One, spread the word. We’ve asked some of our fellow neighborhood-news site operators around Seattle to help get the word out; anyone you think might be interested in participating, let them know (you can use the “Share This” link below this post to share this item a variety of ways, including e-mail). Two, Andrea’s looking for more people to be part of a committee to set the guidelines for submissions, and more people to work on outreach to get word of this to schools and others around the city — just e-mail amercado@loghousemuseum.org to volunteer. You’ll hear more about this as November 13, 2008, gets closer – we’ll bring you followups – but for starters, think about what might help tell the story of that day to people looking back on it a half-century later, and get ready to be part of the time-capsule creation.
(Above-right photo courtesy David Hutchinson)

Share This

Log House Museum search: Celebrate the past by guiding its future
October 18, 2008 2:29 pm
|    Comments Off on Log House Museum search: Celebrate the past by guiding its future
 |   How to help | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

loghousemuseum.jpg

Just about every time we talk here about West Seattle’s growth and current/future changes, somebody voices worries about losing our sense of history. There’s something you can do right now to help make sure local history’s not lost: Get involved with the Log House Museum and its parent organization, which work to celebrate, caretake, and even unearth it. Here’s the scoop from Judy Bentley:

Are you new to Seattle and curious about its past? Are you a native who would like to brush up on local history? Are you interested in serving an organization that needs your financial, fundraising, community organizing and management skills?

The Southwest Seattle Historical Society, which operates The Log House Museum on Alki, is looking for volunteers, committee members, and board members. Participation in our board will be challenging and rewarding, stretching your skills and abilities. You will also gain experience in the meaningful work of preserving the history of Southwest Seattle, making new friends in the community and the pride of knowing you’ve contributed to a vital organization.

Board member terms are for three years, beginning in 2009. Volunteer and committee work begins at any time. If you are up for the fun and challenge, please send a letter of interest.

The postal-mail and e-mail addresses for the Log House Museum can be found on this page of its website. Also note two big events coming up, and there’s time for you to be part of them: The annual membership meeting of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society is coming up at 10 am November 15th at Youngstown Arts Center – join now and you can join in that important event; a week later, it’s the Anniversary Gala Dinner and Silent Auction, 5 pm November 22 at South Seattle Community College‘s Brockey Center (more info here).

Share This

Fauntleroy Schoolhouse update: FCA discussion, and more
October 15, 2008 6:45 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

schoolhouse.jpg

A week ago tonight, we brought you word of a milestone in the Fauntleroy Community Service Agency‘s negotiations to purchase the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, agreement on a “term sheet.” Last night, two FCSA reps joined the Fauntleroy Community Association‘s monthly meeting, at the schoolhouse, for an informal presentation about the latest developments, and Q/A. Read on for the newest information, including school board action expected tonight, plus a statement on the latest developments from the Fauntleroy Children’s Center director Kim Sheridan, which we received just before last night’s FCA meeting:Read More

Share This

Alki development: Shoremont future in flux again?
October 14, 2008 9:32 am
|    Comments Off on Alki development: Shoremont future in flux again?
 |   Development | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

shoremontdoomed.jpgWhen we reported September 21st that demolition and construction permits had been issued for the site of the Shoremont Apartments at 57th/Alki, we heard in comments from James Ellison of Modern Dwelling, a division of the site’s new owner/developer Pb Elemental), who said new renderings were in the works for the project, described on the city project page as five townhouses and one single-family residence. Nothing’s happened on the site yet; then yesterday, Slog reported that Pb Elemental laid off a third of its staff. Though that report said Pb wasn’t commenting on the fate of specific projects, we e-mailed Ellison late last night to see if he could say anything about the Shoremont plan. Despite the hour, his response was fairly quick, albeit brief: “We are exploring options with the site but will be moving forward shortly.” (P.S. The Shoremont is featured in the latest post on Vintage Seattle, whose author lives in West Seattle.)

Share This

Details: Satterlee House court hearing
October 14, 2008 1:50 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

satterleelawn1.jpg

As promised, here are the details of Monday afternoon’s oral arguments in the case of Conner vs. Seattle — that’s William Conner, who founded Conner Homes and is now retired, challenging the city Hearing Examiner‘s decision upholding the city Landmarks Board‘s rejection of his proposal to build three 3,000-or-so-square-foot homes on the big lawn fronting the Satterlee House (4866 Beach Drive; map). That board has to turn thumbs up or down on changes proposed to official city landmarks, which require a “certificate of approval” before such changes can proceed to the next step in any development process. This case is unusual and potentially precedent-setting because, as was noted during the HE hearings we covered in the spring, Landmarks Board rulings are seldom appealed, and this one not only went to appeal, the ruling on that appeal is now being challenged in court. Here’s what happened in court Monday (expanding on our brief initial report published Monday afternoon):Read More

Share This

Satterlee House court arguments over; ruling later this month
October 13, 2008 3:52 pm
|    Comments Off on Satterlee House court arguments over; ruling later this month
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news

satterleelawn.jpg

Just concluded in King County Superior Court Judge Suzanne Barnett‘s courtroom: Oral arguments for and against Satterlee House owner William Conner‘s challenge of the city rulings against his proposal to build three homes, averaging about 3,000 square feet each, on the expansive front lawn of the city landmark also known as “the Painted Lady of Beach Drive.” Conner’s lawyer Richard Hill and the city’s lawyer Judy Barbour each spoke to the judge for about 45 minutes, Hill presented a few minutes of rebuttal, and then Judge Barnett set October 24th as the date she will announce her ruling. Full details of today’s proceedings later; this report includes backstory on the case (which is a followup to city Hearing Examiner proceedings we covered earlier this year, as Conner challenged the city Landmarks Board’s denial of permission to proceed with the development application – the argument isn’t whether he can build anything on the lawn, which is on the record as three separate lots, but whether what he wants to build would harm the characteristics for which the site was designated a landmark).

Share This

Satterlee House case goes to court next week
October 10, 2008 3:33 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

satterleelawn1.jpg

Back in March and April, we brought you a series of reports about the city Hearing Examiner‘s consideration of an appeal filed by William Conner, owner of the city landmark Satterlee House on Beach Drive, challenging the city Landmarks Board‘s denial of his request to build three homes (averaging 3,000 square feet) on the house’s expansive front lawn. (The board has to review and approve changes proposed to official city landmarks.) After the Hearing Examiner ruled in April against his appeal, Conner filed a challenge in May in King County Superior Court. That case is finally coming before a judge, and we received word today that oral arguments are scheduled Monday afternoon. At the heart of the case is not whether Conner can build on the site, but what he can build on the site; he is asking the judge to rule that he has the right to go ahead with the original proposal. Meantime, online listings indicate the house remains on the market, listed for more than $2 million; listing agent AC Braddock had told us in May that Conner had approved one of the major repairs which he’d testified were needed, jacking up the house to fix major settling; the permit for that work was issued in July.

Share This

Fauntleroy Schoolhouse terms: Community reaction
October 9, 2008 6:14 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

We reported last night that the Fauntleroy Community Service Agency has reached agreement on a “term sheet” for purchase of the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse and some of the property around it, months after opening negotiations with Seattle Public Schools, which is selling the property as surplus; FCSA’s Kevin Wooley had told WSB just last week that they weren’t currently negotiating for the entire site (see that report here). Tonight, we have some reaction to the announcement – read on:Read More

Share This

Bulletin: Major milestone for Fauntleroy Schoolhouse purchase plan
October 8, 2008 9:13 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news

schoolhouse.jpg

Just last week, we checked in with Kevin Wooley of the Fauntleroy Community Service Agency for this update on the longrunning talks to buy the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse and some or all of its land from Seattle Public Schools, which put it up for sale as surplus property. Tonight, he just forwarded this announcement sent out by Kim Sheridan of Fauntleroy Children’s Center, which is based at the schoolhouse:

We are very pleased to announce that the Fauntleroy Community Service Agency has reached agreement with the Seattle School District on a term sheet for the purchase of the Fauntleroy School Building. The details of the term sheet were presented to the School Board Wednesday morning.

The purchase price for the school building and an additional 32,500 square feet in the existing paved parking lot and playground area is $1.825 million. We expect to secure the funding for the acquisition from a combination of City and State funds. The deal will close no later than August 31, 2009.

We have also agreed to continue discussions on an option to purchase the remaining playground space, as well an exploration of concepts for joint efforts for redevelopment of the back lot.

There are many steps still to come, but we wanted to take a moment and share this exciting news with you. Thank you for all your support.

Share This

Fauntleroy Schoolhouse: Event tonight; purchase-talks update
October 3, 2008 10:53 am
|    Comments Off on Fauntleroy Schoolhouse: Event tonight; purchase-talks update
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

schoolhouse.jpg

Two items this morning related to the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse: First – from the WSB Events page – a free Family Fun Night tonight, sponsored by civicdancers.org, a nonprofit part of Seattlecivicdance.com, one of the schoolhouse’s key tenants. Kim Dinsmoor says it’s free, 6-9 pm, on the north side of the schoolhouse’s lower floor: “There is a silent auction of items donated by more than 30 families and West Seattle merchants. You can buy tickets for food, drinks, face painting, cake walk with up to 100 cakes, and more. All profit from this goes to Seattle Civic Concert Dancers, a non profit group. This is a chance for West Seattleites to see one of the reasons why the old Fauntleroy school is so important to our community.” Speaking of which, we just checked on the status of the plan to purchase the schoolhouse, which Seattle Public Schools has designated “surplus” property, and there are a few new developments – read on:Read More

Share This

Worried about saving history before it’s … history? Learn how
September 27, 2008 6:29 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle history

With so much development in West Seattle, many people have asked what can be done to keep historic buildings from being lost. One step: Get educated and find out what’s possible (what’s not). Historic Seattle offers a chance to do just that, just a few weeks from now, and preservation advocate Christine Palmer sent this announcement specifically for you, calling the event a “training opportunity for neighborhood residents to protect what’s left of West Seattle’s heritage” (and other neighborhoods whose residents may choose to participate):

HISTORIC SEATTLE PROVIDES A WORKSHOP FOR COMMUNITY RESIDENTS TO BECOME THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION EXPERTS

Struggling to understand Seattle’s historic preservation ordinance?
Disturbed by insensitive new construction in your neighborhood?
Seeking procedures for dealing with local historic properties?
Who is on the landmarks board anyway?

PROTECTING HISTORIC SITES

Good Shepherd Center
4649 Sunnyside Avenue N., Room 202 (map)
Saturday, October 18, 2008, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Reservations required
$30 admission includes lunch

Historic Seattle will provide the answers to these questions and more at a full-day workshop featuring presentations by local historic preservation experts. Advance reservations are required! Workshop fees are $25 for Historic Seattle members and $30 for the general public. Please register online at:
www.historicseattle.org/events/eventdetail.aspx?id=303

Workshop participants will enjoy a lunch delivered to the Good Shepherd Center and receive an extensive packet of useful information about local, state, and national preservation issues and opportunities. The agenda will cover the following topics:

WHAT ARE HISTORIC PROPERTIES? Presenters will provide an overview of Seattle’s diverse and unique historic resources including the distinctions between “eligible” and “designated” sites.

NEIGHBORHOOD SUPPORT AND OPPOSITION. Want to know more about rallying local residents for preservation issues? What should you do if the owner opposes the landmark designation? What are the alternatives to designated historic buildings and neighborhoods? Would a conservation district provide enough protection?

SUCCESS STORIES FROM NEIGHBORS WHO LANDMARKED PROPERTIES IN SOUTH PARK, FREMONT, AND CAPITOL HILL

COUNTY, NATIONAL AND STATE PRESERVATION PROGRAMS. Seattle and King County preservation legislation is different, but how? What are the advantages of listing on the Washington Heritage Register or the National Register of Historic Places?

FINANCIAL INCENTIVES. Help is out there, but you need to find out if your historic building qualifies.

Presenters will include:

Staff for the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board in the Seattle
Department of Neighborhoods
Local Consulting Historians and Architects
Former members of the City Landmarks Preservation Board
Staff from the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation
Staff for the King County Landmarks Commission
Staff from 4Culture
And more!

Deadline for registration at the workshop: Wednesday, October 15, 5:00 pm (online registration link)

By the way, if you’re wondering what West Seattle has on the list of official city landmarks – all 14 are shown here.

Share This

Delridge history, now online and in the library, years in the making!
September 26, 2008 5:40 am
|    Comments Off on Delridge history, now online and in the library, years in the making!
 |   Delridge | West Seattle history | West Seattle news | West Seattle online

From project manager Randy Nelson:

The South Seattle Community College Library has just completed work on a federal Library Services and Technology Act grant originating from the Washington State Institute of Museum and Library Services and awarded by the Office of the Secretary of State, Washington State Library Division.

A major product of this project is this website: www.delridgehistory.org, managed by the South Seattle Community College Library. The Library has also become the depository for material connected with the project.

The project is the culmination of years of co-operation involving South Seattle Community College, Seattle Public Schools, the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, and the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association. South Seattle Community College emeritus faculty Judy Bentley organized the project.

This project is part of an ongoing effort by South Seattle Community College to be involved with its neighborhood.

Share This

9/11, seven years later
September 11, 2008 1:47 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Alki Statue of Liberty | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

flags911.jpg

We found those three neighboring homes on 26th SW near Westwood Village, displaying flags on today’s anniversary. No official West Seattle commemorations that we know of (please advise if you’ve heard of one) – we will be visiting the Alki Statue of Liberty later to see what’s happening there, given its informal role as a remembrance location, dating all the way to the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. On this date last year, the recast statue made its debut in a ceremony that was both an unveiling and a tribute (WSB coverage, including video, here); a year earlier, on September 11, 2006, the old pedestal stood empty, as the original statue (now at the Log House Museum gift shop) had been taken away so the recasting process could begin.

Share This

Corner Inn: First the auction, now the freebies
August 16, 2008 8:58 am
|    Comments Off on Corner Inn: First the auction, now the freebies
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news

Two and a half weeks ago, auctioneers sold off much of what was inside Morgan Junction’s Corner Inn (WSB video coverage here), which abruptly closed in early June. This morning, WSB’er “Rock Steele” spotted a few remaining (big) pieces offered free on CL — separate ads for the Corner Inn’s awning, bar, and stage. All three listings say the items must be removed within one week. Hmm.

Share This

Corner Inn auction: Memories up for bid
July 29, 2008 12:10 pm
|    Comments Off on Corner Inn auction: Memories up for bid
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news | West Seattle video

Video thumbnail. Click to play.
Click To Play

Your editor here has driven past the Corner Inn (California/Fauntleroy) thousands of times, yet never been inside till this morning’s auction, almost two months after its sudden shutdown. Above, you see just one video clip of many we captured during the auction’s first 45 minutes – even without any personal memories in the place, we found ourselves oddly teary at the sadness of the scene – the icicle lights and Mylar stars still dangling from the ceiling, right next to the elevated portable podium where the namesake of James G. Murphy Auctioneers cheerily (as our video shows) plowed through the list of items, from a colander, to photos from the wall, up to the piano and organ – those by the way went for a shockingly low price; that clip ahead (and we’ll be adding more as we go through our video):Read More

Share This

Fauntleroy Church centennial: Documentary debut; weekend fun
July 25, 2008 12:59 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

Would have written about this last night – but we got word of the Alki fire just as we were leaving the event – the Fauntleroy documentary (mentioned here in February) was previewed last night and will officially premiere as part of this weekend’s Fauntleroy Church (WSB sponsor) centennial celebration (which starts tonight) – read on:Read More

Share This

West Seattle Grand Parade countdown: Photos from the past
July 18, 2008 9:11 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle history

paradelookingeast.jpg

Thanks to Gina Terrana for sending those undated photos of West Seattle Grand Parade scenes in years gone by, taken by her grandmother, Alice Webb. Unless you’re very new to West Seattle, it’s fairly easy to tell where they were taken (though the signage certainly has changed):

paradelookingsouth.jpg

Gina explains that her grandmother was active with Eastern Star, so most of the photos involved Masonic parade entries:

paradelookingnorth.jpg

anotherlookingeast.jpg

anotherintersection.jpg

Gina tells us a little bit more about her grandmother, who died in 1986:

Alice Webb was also the wife of Arthur J. Webb. and the mother of Arthur C. Webb; both owned construction companies that did quite a bit of building in West Seattle. A.C. was the builder behind Fauntlee Hills. A.J. built the brick duplex next to the P.C.C., that was his basic construction style. Both styles of construction look the same to me, but my mother was always able to tell, “my father built that. my brother built this.” Grandma Webb thought that they had built everything, everywhere by the time I knew her.

Now go make your own history and check out the parade tomorrow – watch it from anywhere along the route (map in this post last night) OR if you’ve got some volunteering in your past/present (who doesn’t?) you can join the fun little group that West Seattle community volunteer/organizer extraordinaire Cindi Barker is rounding up, with support from WSB (your editor here will walk with the group, and Junior Member of the Team will be handing out candy on the sidelines – no throwing candy, we’ve been warned, but handing it out is OK). We’re scheduled to be about a third of the way down the lineup of 70-plus entries. The Rotary Club of West Seattle presents the Kiddies’ Parade (all participants welcome) at 10:30 am (sign in @ California/Genesee starting at 9:45 am), American Legion Post 160 presents the Grand Parade immediately afterward, starting at California/Lander.

Share This

Fauntleroy Church gets ready for its birthday party
July 12, 2008 9:05 pm
|    Comments Off on Fauntleroy Church gets ready for its birthday party
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

fauntleroychurch.jpg

Weekend after next, Fauntleroy Church (WSB sponsor) is throwing a whale of a party for its centennial – and getting ready for it now; this morning, Judy Pickens, Pat Gedney, and Marilynn Bernahl were among the volunteers sprucing up the church grounds during a centennial-prep work party. Special events for the centennial weekend celebration July 25-27 include the Friday Night Bean Feed and Talent Show (followed by Vespers on the Beach) on July 25, an open house and dinner/documentary showing on July 26, and a special anniversary worship service and reception on July 27. Full details at the church website.

Share This

Saving Fauntleroy Schoolhouse: New possibility for “back lot”
July 11, 2008 6:07 am
|    Comments Off on Saving Fauntleroy Schoolhouse: New possibility for “back lot”
 |   Utilities | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

schoolhouse.jpg

With next month’s deadline approaching for the Fauntleroy Community Services Agency to make a deal with Seattle Public Schools to buy the historic schoolhouse – now that the district’s selling it as “surplus” — here’s the latest update from FCSA, including word of a new possible use for the “back lot,” which previously has been mentioned as a possible development site:Read More

Share This

Providence Mount St. Vincent: Cars today, jobs tomorrow
June 15, 2008 6:07 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

carshow2.jpg

Beautiful day to show off classic cars – the sun gleamed off every beautifully maintained participant at the Providence Mount St. Vincent Father’s Day Car Show this afternoon – these two VERY classic cars in particular:

carshow1.jpg

The owner of this one told us he really does drive it. 20 horsepower though, so it’s not much for the freeway:

1926.jpg

“The Mount” has another big event tomorrow – a job fair, 1 pm-6 pm. Find out more here; the hilltop facility just south of The Junction says it’s West Seattle’s biggest employer.

Share This

Saving Fauntleroy Schoolhouse: New deadline for deal
June 11, 2008 1:40 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news

schoolhouse.jpg

With a few weeks to go to the original deadline for the Fauntleroy Community Services Agency to make a deal with Seattle Public Schools to buy the historic schoolhouse – now that the district’s selling it as “surplus” — we checked to see where things stand. According to an update issued this week by FCSA, “The district has extended the deadline to reach a purchase and sale agreement to August.” FCSA also says there’s still a possibility the back lot may be developed and says it “has been discussing what kind of development, who would own the property, who would receive payment for the development rights, and ensuring that any development would be compatible with the tenants and uses in the school.” They also are continuing to work on a formal application to have the schoolhouse designated as a city landmark (as we first reported last month), adding, “city staff has been very encouraging that the entire building could be eligible for designation.”

Share This

Details: New design proposal partly preserves Charlestown Court
June 11, 2008 6:07 am
|      42 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

charlestownctnew.jpg

That’s the dramatically different new design just unveiled by Junction-based Nicholson Kovalchick Architects for the mixed-use project at 3811 California SW (map), currently the site of the 80-year-old brick fourplex known as Charlestown Court:

christopher3811california.jpg

It’s been 14 months since we first told you Charlestown Court was marked for teardown, and two months since we brought you the city Landmarks Board‘s decision that it didn’t merit landmark status, which seemed to open the door for demolition. But instead, a surprise twist last night, as we briefly mentioned earlier — full details ahead:Read More

Share This

Something to consider if you travel on The (High) Bridge today
June 11, 2008 12:40 am
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news

twobridges.jpg

In about two hours, it’ll be exactly 30 years since the freighter crash that you can thank for the existence of The (high) Bridge. And as you probably know, the case took an even weirder twist years later, when the captain who hit the (old) bridge, Rolf Neslund, was murdered by his wife — a killing that area author Ann Rule turned into one of her recent best-sellers. Six years and one month after the freighter crash, the current (high) bridge opened. You can find great photos of the massive construction project here.

Share This