40 Vintage Photos of Seattle (1900s-1970s)

History 9 hours ago

Seattle’s history is often overshadowed by its grunge-fueled 1990s heyday, but the city’s story stretches back far beyond flannel shirts and guitar distortion. These 40 vintage photos of Seattle, spanning the early 1900s to the 1970s, capture a different side of Seattle—one shaped by booming industries, evolving skylines, and everyday life in the Pacific Northwest. From bustling Pike Place Market scenes to long-lost landmarks, this collection offers a glimpse into the city’s past, long before grunge ever made its mark.

1. The Space Needle restaurant in the 1960s

A group of people dine at an elevated restaurant with large windows overlooking a cityscape and body of water. The interior has red decor, and a server attends to them. The tables are covered with red tablecloths.
HesJuggernaut

2. The observation deck at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in 1949.

A woman in a suit stands at an airport viewing area, looking at a vintage passenger airplane on the tarmac. The aircraft has "Western" written on the fuselage. A few people are near the plane. The sky is partly cloudy.
userdeleted

3. Stacks of lumber drying, Seattle, 1919

A black-and-white photo showing a man standing next to a towering stack of wooden planks. The planks are piled vertically to an impressive height, emphasizing the scale compared to the small figure standing beside them.
u/thewaywewere/via Reddit

That’s a whole lot of lumber.

4. Here’s another look at the scale of the lumber operations in Seattle: the Seattle Cedar Lumber Manufacturing Company in 1939.

A black-and-white photo showing a person standing between two towering stacks of wooden planks. The planks are stacked tightly, forming narrow vertical walls. The person appears small in comparison and is looking upwards, surrounded by the towering stacks.
HesJuggernaut

5. Charging an electric AMC Gremlin at a curbside charging station in 1973.

A man in a suit kneels beside an early electric car charging station labeled "Electro Park" with a sign showing parking and charging hours. A vintage car is parked nearby, and cables connect the car to the station.
u/thewaywewere/via Reddit

You’ve got to keep it charged up.

6. Aerial photo of downtown Seattle looking north taken just 20 years after the invention of the airplane

Aerial black and white photo of a city with dense urban buildings by the waterfront. A large harbor with ships is visible, and a network of streets stretches into the distance, bordered by a river or inlet.
u/thewaywewere/via Reddit

What a shot.

7. Precautions taken in Seattle in 1919 to prevent the spread of Spanish Flu. All persons in public were required to wear masks made of six layers of gauze.

A historic trolley marked "Green Lake" with a conductor signaling, wearing a uniform and mask. Two men in early 20th-century attire and masks stand outside; one holds a paper bag. Cobblestone street visible beneath.
BattleMechJohnBrown

8. Men from the Third Armored Division relaxing at the Stadium Club in Seattle

A group of four soldiers in uniform are seated at a table. One soldier has a woman sitting on his lap, smiling. They are in a room with arched windows and city lights visible outside. The atmosphere is relaxed and cheerful.
Excitable_Grackle

9. Flattening hills to build Seattle, 1905-1930

Black and white photo of an eroded landscape in Seattle from the early 20th century. Large dirt mounds and excavated surfaces are visible, with a few scattered buildings in the background and a hazy skyline.
u/thewaywewere/via Reddit

It’s no easy business leveling hills.

10. Downtown Seattle, looking east on Cherry Street during the Big Snow, January 1880, after over 5 feet of snowfall

Black and white photo of a snow-covered street in a small town. Wooden buildings line the street, one with "Livery Stable" signage visible. Tracks lead up the hill. The scene has a historical and quiet winter atmosphere.
u/thewaywewere/via Reddit

What a view.

11. Pike Place Market, 1974

A vintage scene of a street leading to a waterfront with a large "Public Market" sign. Classic cars are parked along the street. Buildings on either side include a thrift shop. The sky is pastel, suggesting early morning or evening light.
u/thewaywewere/via Reddit

What a beautiful day to be by the water.

12. Seattle, 1955

Black and white photo of a vintage drive-in restaurant named "DICK'S Drive In Hamburgers" with a large sign showing 19-cent burgers. A classic car is parked in front, and a few people are visible inside the open-air counter service area.
u/thewaywewere/via Reddit

Truly some of the best burgers.

13. Seattle, 1951

Street scene from the 1950s showing people walking on a city sidewalk. A man and two women pose for a photo. Theater marquees, a clock, and cars are visible. The women wear dresses, and the man is in a suit. Buildings line the street.
u/thewaywewere/via Reddit

The outfits are just on point.

14. More Seattle grocery store workers, 1910s.

Four young women sit on a wooden platform, smiling for the camera. They are dressed in early 20th-century attire, with long skirts and blouses. An old vehicle is partially visible in the background on a cobblestone street.
thewaywewere

A glimpse of the past.

15. My great grandparents in Seattle 1920s

Vintage photo of a man and woman sitting on a sandy beach. The man is wearing glasses and a light-colored shirt, while the woman is in a dress and cloche hat. Both are relaxed, leaning against a wooden structure, with a towel on the sand.
thewaywewere

Love the spectacles.

16. Playgrounds used to look pretty dangerous. Hiawatha Playfield, Seattle, US, 1912.

Children playing on large metal playground equipment at a park. Some are climbing ladders, while others use swings. The scene is lively with many kids actively engaged in play. Trees and buildings are visible in the background. The image is in black and white.
thewaywewere

Yeah, this playground looks just a bit treacherous indeed.

17. The World’s Fair, Seattle, 1962.

Aerial view of Seattle's cityscape featuring the Space Needle at the center. Buildings and streets surround the area, with mountains visible in the distant background. The image captures a clear, sunny day.
thewaywewere

The Space Needle truly looks otherworldly.

18. Puget Sound, Navy Yard. Bremerton, Washington. August 1923

Aerial view of a shipyard with several large naval vessels docked. The area is bustling with ships under construction or repair, surrounded by industrial buildings and cranes.
u/thewaywewere/via Reddit

Now, those are some big boats.

19. Hooverville, Seattle, 1937

A depression-era shantytown with numerous makeshift homes is set amid a barren landscape. Smoke rises from a factory in the background, with a city skyline visible under a cloudy sky.
u/thewaywewere/via Reddit

Hooverville was a tough place to find oneself.

20. Hydroplane racer Dean Chenoweth crashes the Miss Budweiser hydroplane after a speed record attempt in which he reached over 200 mph, Lake Washington, Seattle, 1979

A speedboat labeled "Budweiser" flips dramatically during a race, with a large splash of water around it. A person appears to be ejected into the air. Trees and water are in the background. The photo is in black and white.
u/thewaywewere/via Reddit

They were definitely going too fast.

21. Checking the electrical wiring assembly for a B-17F (Flying Fortress) bomber in 1942 at the Boeing plant.

A woman operates an early computer, standing in front of a large panel with numerous wires and switches. She is adjusting connections, focused on her task. A tangled bundle of cables lies on the floor beside her. The setting has a vintage, industrial feel.
MyDogGoldi

22. A service station on Stone Way in the mid-50s

A vintage gas station scene with two classic cars being refueled. An attendant in a white uniform fills the tank of a turquoise car. Another person stands by the open door of a light blue car. Buildings and signs are in the background.
AxlCobainVedder

23. Woman leaning against a phone booth in Seattle in 1967

A woman in a pink dress stands inside a phone booth on a street. A vintage car and shops, including a jewelry store and bakery, are visible in the background.
debunked

This is believed to be on 3rd Avenue between Pike and Union.

24. “My great, great, great grandmother, a Norwegian that settled in Ballard.”

An elderly woman wearing a headscarf and a patterned blouse kneads dough on a table. A small bowl is on the table beside her. The scene is in black and white, with a patterned cloth in the foreground.
ODarrow

25. “My great-uncle and his ‘fluid-drive’ Dodge in Seattle, 1960

A man in a plaid jacket and hat stands beside a vintage car with a visible license plate. He's in front of a brick house with large windows and surrounded by bushes and white flowers. Power lines are in the background.
SWM

26. Fishing on Diablo Lake in 1968

A serene mountain lake surrounded by pine trees, with a small boat carrying two people on the calm water. In the background, majestic snow-capped mountains rise under a clear blue sky.
MyDogGoldi

27. Head cheerleader and football captain embrace after a game in Seattle in 1953.

Burt Glinn/DiosMioMan2

29. The Enchanted Chapel, where over 10,000 couples have been married since the 1970s.

A dimly lit room decorated for a celebration with string lights and floral arrangements. Rows of red chairs face a table adorned with a multi-tiered white cake. A sign with a phone number is visible on the left side.
Torley_

30. Watching a live show at Bumbershoot in 1974

A diverse group of people sit closely together on the grass at an outdoor event. They appear engaged, with various expressions and styles of clothing. There are adults and children present, creating a warm, communal atmosphere.
Beeinya

31. Horse-drawn carriages in Pioneer Square, Seattle, 1905

A vintage photo of a bustling city street scene from the late 19th or early 20th century. Horse-drawn carriages move along a cobblestone road lined with ornate brick buildings and storefronts. People are walking on the sidewalks.

Michael Maslan/Contributor

32. Produce vendors at Pike Place Market in 1936

Black and white image of a bustling indoor market. Vendors stand behind a counter displaying various vegetables like lettuce, spinach, and peas. Price signs are visible. The market is well-lit with hanging lamps and has a lively atmosphere.
Beeninya

33. Decorating the office Christmas tree in Seattle, 1959

A group of women decorate a Christmas tree in an office with large windows. In the background, the cityscape features a prominent "YMCA" sign. The room has desks, typewriters, and office chairs.
mistermajik2000

34. A young newsboy standing in front of a Downtown Seattle theater that closed after Mayor Ole Hanson’s proclamation against public gatherings during the Spanish Flu outbreak, 1918.

A person wearing a face mask and hat stands in front of a theater entrance. A sign behind them reads, "All theatres CLOSED until further NOTICE. At request of MAYOR." The scene is dimly lit, emphasizing the vintage setting.
userdeleted

35. Patricia Ann Guenther at a Seattle bowling alley in 1957

A woman sits at a counter, resting her chin on her hand, with a retro-style pin-setting machine nearby. Behind her, people are seated on chairs, and vintage signage for a hotel and bowling alley decorates the wall.
mistermajik2000

36. A couple reading MAD Magazine at Volunteer Park in 1968

Two people sitting on grass, engrossed in reading a MAD magazine. One is wearing glasses and a dark jacket, while the other wears a red jacket. Clear blue sky and trees in the background.
notbob1959

37. Couple at the Basin St. nightclub in Seattle, 1946

A man and woman sit together in a booth at a café. The man wears a suit and sunglasses, while the woman is in a stylish dress and wide-brimmed hat. Drinks and cigarettes are on the table. Retro, black-and-white photo.
oldsoul8789

38. Second Ave and Yesler Way in Seattle, 1904

Historic black-and-white photo of Second Ave and Yesler Way in Seattle, featuring streetcars, pedestrians, and horse-drawn carriages amidst tall buildings and signs for businesses, including a prominently displayed Owl Cigar ad.
userdeleted

39. Waitress at the Turf Restaurant at Second and Pike in 1981

A waitress with short hair smiles while serving a man in a diner. The counter is lined with empty stools and there are various condiments and items on the counter. The man wears a jacket and stands facing the waitress. Black and white photo.
AxlCobainVedder

40. Day at Alki Beach in Seattle, 1911

Black and white photo of a historical beach scene with people in early 20th-century clothing. Men, women, and children are near the shoreline, some playing in the water. Trees and a building are in the background.
Beeinya
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