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Diablo Dam incline railway climbing Sourdough Mountain, 1930. Courtesy Seattle Municipal Archives, 2306.
Children waving to ferry, 1950. Courtesy Museum of History and Industry.
Loggers in the Northwest woods. Courtesy Washington State Digital Archives.

This Week Then

9/12/2024

For HistoryLunch

News Then, History Now

First Congregation

On September 14, 1892, Spokane's Temple Emanu-El became the first Jewish synagogue to open in the state of Washington. Four days later, Congregation Ohaveth Sholum opened the first synagogue in Seattle.

Pier Devastation

On September 14, 1901, Pier 4, commonly known as the White Star Dock, collapsed into Elliott Bay on Seattle's central waterfront. Investigators concluded that the collapse was caused by faulty construction, and the pier – known today as Pier 55 – was rebuilt within months. 

Health Violation

On September 13, 1909, cats at the Ballard police station went stark raving mad, but there was a more serious health problem in the region. On September 12, 1909, Seattle health officials reported an outbreak of typhoid fever, but it wasn't until later that the cause was determined to be contaminated drinking water at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition.

Flying Quite Far

During the summer and early fall of 1927, soon after returning from his historic solo flight across the Atlantic, aviator Charles Lindbergh traveled the country in the Spirit of St. Louis, promoting aviation and the building of airports. In Washington, he landed in Spokane on September 12, then made many low-altitude flyovers of cities along his route to Seattle the next day.

Playing Guitar

On September 13, 1934, the Los Angeles-based Orville Knapp Orchestra performed a Seattle concert at the Club Victor – featuring what is almost certainly the local public debut of the electric guitar. On September 16, 1957, Dave Bunker submitted a patent application for his dual-necked "Touch Guitar." And on September 13, 1991, Nirvana held a release party at Seattle's Re-bar dance club for their Nevermind album, which made music history by selling more than 10 million copies in the U.S. alone.

Where the Books Are

In 1998, Seattle voters approved a $196 million bond measure to help rebuild the city's public libraries. The Seattle Public Library Foundation added $83 million to complete the building program, as well as enhance system-wide funding for art, technology, collections, and programs. On September 13, 2008, the city celebrated the completion of this successful "Libraries For All" campaign.

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Image of the Week

Hay Palace

On September 15, 1915, the citizens of Mabton celebrated their abundant alfalfa crop by opening the Hay Palace -- built almost entirely of hay bales.

Quote of the Week

"The fighting, that is, the fish-ins and demonstrations, is over now, I hope."

–Billy Frank

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