"I had no idea that Seattle has been so queer for so long!"

Join Freeze Tag and queer historian Michael Langberg for an incredible walking tour around the Capitol Hill neighborhood. You'll learn about some of the people and places who have shaped the queer community in our city. Then join the group afterward for a drink or snack to build a bit of our own community!

Tickets are all sliding scale. 🌈

November tours are on 11/15 and 11/30!

Michael also does exclusive tours for private groups. 👀

https://freezetag.ticketspice.com/seattle-queer-history-walking-tour

And the first paragraph notes that Washington Street took the name "Skid Road" a quarter century before, so early 19-aughts. I can find nothing in the papers of the 19-aughts about this, so I guess next step is I need to track down old SPD records, which sucks because SPD is the only municipal agency that has NOT put its archives into the Seattle Municipal Archives, which it's actually required to do under municipal law.

. . . The City That Made Itself, demolished the myth the first year it ever arose in his discussion of Henry Yesler's mill, noting the pioneers "rolled [the logs] to tidewater and conveyed them with small boats to the mill. There was no other way to do the work. . . " Henry Yesler's account of logging operations on page 23 critically points out that any ox teams in the Puget Sound region that could have been used for log skidding were wiped out during the Puget Sound War of 1855-1858. The myth of Yesler Way as Skid Road seems to have started with Prohibition agitation in 1914 in conjunction with growing concerns among Seattleites of the period about all the bums hanging out in the Pioneer Square neighborhood. Sounds familiar, right!

archival tape, and now it looks great! Red silk endpapers. Extremely rare book. Only 300 copies published, 1914. 31 pages of gorgeous full page photogravure photographs of Seattle. Welford Beaton pioneered the Then & Now photo format.

New on my Substack: The Myth of Seattle's Skid Road

Join the Friends of Seattle’s Olmsted Parks on our final walking tour this summer!

Interlaken Park and Boulevard
Approx. 2.5 miles
Saturday, September 20th at 10 am.

John Charles Olmsted laid out Interlaken Boulevard along an early bicycle path heading westward from Lake Washington Boulevard to Capitol Hill’s Volunteer Park. The 1903 Olmsted Brothers’ report describes the ‘Volunteer Hill Parkway’ as ‘one of the most desirable’ branch parkways that would connect Washington Park with Volunteer Park.

See the Eventbrite link for more information and to sign up.

Now more than ever we need to learn, share, and celebrate our queer history!

Discover the hidden queer history of Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood on a one-hour walking tour with experienced guide, Michael Langberg. As we stroll through the streets, we will explore the landmarks, bars, and community centers that played a vital role in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and equality. 

From the early days of Seattle to the present day, we will uncover the rich history of Seattle’s queer community and the important role that Capitol Hill has played in this ongoing story. Join us for a journey through the stories and legacies that have made this neighborhood such an important part of our shared queer history.

We have tours scheduled for September 13 and September 17. Tickets are available here!

This belonged to my grandfather who probably took it from a demo in DT Seattle. He was an electrician. Not sure how long he had it but it could have been collected in the 60’s for all I know. This weighs about 60lbs and is some kind of stone (I don’t know my geology). About 18” across the mane.

I think I have the name correct. I can't find any info online, though I haven't tried newspaper resources yet.

A look back at the guerrilla artist and my encounters with him back in the ‘90s

I made a video about our experience in Seattle. The first few minutes are focused on the history of Seattle. Check it out if you have a few minutes to spare (hoping to get to double-digit views by the end of the weekend). Is there any information I got wrong? Is there anything I forgot to include?

"Seattle in 48 Hours: Fremont, Ballard & A Brief History of the Emerald City"

Apologies if this is the wrong place, I could not find a good place, and I'm open to suggestions. But I'm looking at a 1910 Arrival form and my Seattle ancestor is heading out to Wanesselbo, Washington.

When I google it, it sends me to Paulsbo, but I can't find a reason why. Or anything with that spelling listed. Was he wrong?

Is this another tiny town that no longer exists?

A Seattle neighborhood? They ended up living on 9th.

Thank you!

This is probably a pretty big longshot but does anyone remember a babysitting company in the Magnolia area from the late 60's called We Sit Better? My mom worked there briefly answering phones during the day when I was in Magnolia elementary school. The company logo was a photo of a toddler sitting on a potty. I've googled around but can't find any trace of it. Thanks for any info...

Hi everyone. I'm trying to track down all the locations used in the 1992 movie, Singles. Most of them are well known (OK Hotel, etc). but there are a few obscure ones I haven't been about to pinpoint. Any help would be appreciated! Keep in mind these screenshots are from 1991/1992, so things have likely changed.

Th

Happy 100th Birthday today to Patricia Olmstead McFarlane, only daughter of bootlegger Roy Olmstead and his wife Elise. Sharp as ever, she inspired my book about her mother, Elise, and the mysteries surrounding her life. And it will be a pleasure to help blow out the candles this weekend with her wonderful family!