Guide to the Seattle Center Grounds Photograph Collection
April, 1963

Aerial view of Seattle Center Grounds, Apr. 13, 1963. Photo: James F. Wilson. Special Collections, UW Libraries, Wilson 52

Historical Background

The Seattle World's Fair, also known as the Century 21 Exposition, was open from April 21, 1962, to October 21, 1962. Close to ten million people visited the World's Fair in that six-month period. The fairground buildings were built in a relatively short period of time and more than half were torn down after the fair, including the information booth and totem pole. The buildings that remained were transformed into popular tourist attractions as part of Seattle Center, which officially opened on June 1, 1963. The United States Science Pavilion became the Pacific Science Center. The Washington State Coliseum became the Seattle Center Coliseum sporting venue (later renamed Key Arena). Other attractions, including two repertory theaters and a museum, have been added over the years. The Space Needle remains as a centerpiece of Seattle Center and a defining symbol of the Seattle skyline.

Scope and Content

The collection contains 28 aerial and site views of the Seattle Center grounds six months after the end of the World's Fair and two months prior to the official opening of Seattle Center on June 1, 1963. The sites pictured include the Flag Pavilion area and the south grounds near the Space Needle. All of the photographs were made in April, 1963.

Restrictions on Access

Collection is open to the public.

Processing Info

Processed by Deborah Y. Hunter (2002) and Linda Corets (2003).

Inventory

Folder

Item

Date

Aerial Views of Seattle Center Grounds

1

1-7

Aerial view of grounds with Memorial Stadium (upper left), Space Needle (upper right), and Coliseum (bottom)

Apr. 13, 1963

Photographer: Wilson, James F., Northwest Air Photos, Port Orchard, Wash.

Folder

Item

Date

Buildings at South Grounds

Apr., 1963

2

8-9

"Smile with Nile" Building

10-12

Exhibit building at base of Space Needle

13

Science Pavilion arches, World's Fair Information Booth (right), and building

14

Information Booth totem pole and building near base of Space Needle

15-16

World's Fair Information Booth (center), Pacific Science Center entrance sign, and Science Pavilion building (right) at southwest entrance along 2nd Ave., N.

17

World's Fair Information Booth and Science Pavilion arches

18

Fence at southwest entrance near 2nd Ave., N. and Thomas St., with World's Fair Information Booth (left) and parked cars

19

Entrance along 2nd Ave., N. at Thomas St., with Space Needle

20

Car driving on 2nd Ave., N. towards entrance at Thomas St.

21

Cars parked near fence and grounds on 2nd Ave., N.

22

Cars parked along 2nd Ave., N. below fence, Space Needle, and World's Fair Information Booth totem pole

23-24

Cars parked on 2nd Ave., N. below fence and Space Needle

Folder

Item

Date

Buildings at Flag Pavilion Area

Apr., 1963

3

25

Flag Pavilion

26

Flag Pavilion and International Fountain

27

Looking north toward World's Fair International Plaza and International Mall with Washington State Coliseum (left) and Flag Pavilion poles (right)

28

World's Fair International Plaza buildings and boulevard

Subject Terms

Organizations:

Century 21 Exposition (1962 : Seattle, Wash.)--Photographs.

Subjects:

Exhibition buildings--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs.

Space Needle (Seattle, Wash.)--Photographs.

Geographic Names:

Seattle (Wash.)--Buildings, structures, etc.--Photographs.

Seattle Center (Seattle, Wash.)--Photographs.

Genre Headings:

Aerial photographs.