Georgetown Radio: A film and soundtrack from the early 90s

Blogging Georgetown linked to another great blog Washblog who has posted a two part video recording life in Georgetown during the early 1990's.

Old Foghi remembers the Georgetown Tavern, Hamilton Hall before the facelift, the Blue Max (yes, drinking with pilots and cabin crew!) and the Rainier Lady covered with vines. Most of the bars and businesses along Airport Way were yet to be concieved, boards over windows shielded our view of people living in lofts and small apartments.

Part 1


Part 2


One thing that is striking is the shot of the traffic entering I-5 from Carleton Avenue. Old Foghi and the Old Fart moved into Georgetown in the late 1990's so we were not around when the traffic was routed straight up Carleton.

Traffic circles and a traffic divider have changed the way people navigate these historic streets. I am so glad I only have a few cars and the bus to worry about when I ride my bicycle on Carleton.

This week in history: O-W-R &N Company to Extend Spur to Seattle City Limits

After 95 years, you think we could get some crossing arms? This article comes from the Oregonian, April 11th, 1913.

INDUSTRIAL TRACT INVADED

O.W.R. & N. to Extend Spur to Seattle City Limits

Seattle, Wash, Aug. 11, 1913 - Construction will be begun at once by the Oregon-Washington Railroad & Navigation Company on a spur track extending from Lucile street, near the Seattle Brewing and Malting Company's plant at Georgetown, to Fourteenth avenue South, the city limits, which will serve the industrial tracts recently platted by King County through the efforts of the Chamber of Commerce. A permit has been granted by the Board of Public Works for this track as well as for a spur on Bailey street for a connection with the tracks of the Puget Sound Traction, Light and Power Company, over which the Big Four Iron Works in South Park will be served.

For months, the Chamber of Commerce, various railroad officials and A.L. Valentine, superintendent of public utlities, have been working on the plan connecting the industrial tracts with railroads. So far as Seattle is concerned this is one of the most important railroad extensions that has been undertaken in a long time.

Landmarking Georgetown?

Looks like there might be a group forming interested in landmarking houses in Georgetown. Below is reposted from the neighborhood listserv. Perhaps with enough interest, Georgetown will become a historic district. Links galore 1.)to the person who penned the email so you can get in touch and 2.) the Nomination and Designation Processes.

I am interested in landmarking my own house, and meeting with others who own property who wish to do the same......My own home was built in 1898, and is one of the last examples of work force housing from that period. In the 1930's, the county had determined that it only had 8 years of life left. I'm working on restoring the street side closer to what is in the assessors photos from the 1930s, in spite of the "improvements" made in the 80's. If anyone wishes to chat more drop me a line.