Seattle of the 1970s by Stephen Cysewski

[bgwah]

I love this:


That's where Harbor Steps is now, isn't it?

Also, was there a ramp that went off the viaduct to University Street in the past? It kind of looks like it...

[ltsmotorsport]

A great visual social commentary of the times.

[someone123]

I found this thread interesting when it was first posted. I stumbled across it again from mthq's sig and can now appreciate it a little more since my brief Seattle visit a couple months ago, so I guess a shameless bump is in order!

[mhays]

Originally Posted by bgwah

I love this:


That's where Harbor Steps is now, isn't it?

Also, was there a ramp that went off the viaduct to University Street in the past? It kind of looks like it...

Correct on Harbor Steps.

I don't believe there was a ramp from the Viaduct. But there was a wood ramp that went down the hill. I think it crossed Western at one time. More recently it just went a half-block downhill from First. There was a half-block spur of "lower University" east of Western.

These are vague recollections. But I used to walk through the middle of that block after cooking at Italia every night. Around 1991-1992. Even then, every day, I wondered if that day some indication of Harbor Steps breaking ground would occur....

[themaguffin]

Great photos capturing a fascinating era.

Also a fascinating era for cities as many cities struggled with suburban flight and had yet to regroup and recover.