Century 21 Digital Collection
Preview up to 100 items from this collection below. Seattle’s 1962 World’s Fair showcased Seattle as a space-age city. See photos, brochures, postcards and other items related to Seattle’s 1960s vision of the future.
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How to get to the World's Fair
Map and directory showing Seattle Transit System routes serving the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair).
Identifier: spl_c21_2223164
Date: 1962
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1st Ave. No. 400 block; View north-east
Future site of the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World’s Fair). In 1956, the City of Seattle’s Civic Center Advisory Committee selected land surrounding the existing Civic Auditorium at the foot of Queen Anne Hill for the site of the Century 21 Exposition and a future Civic Center for the city. In 1957, the city acquired the property through condemnation. With a few exceptions, including the Civic Auditorium (which was transformed into the Opera House) and the National Guard Armory (which became the Food Circus), most existing buildings were demolished. This set of photos documents the site before demolition began.
Identifier: spl_wl_sec_00207
Date: 1957-10
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Sign on Pancake House at N.E. corner of Armory
Smitty's Pancake House, outside Food Circus, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). "Unusual pancake dinners. Priced under $2.00. North side of Armory. Bill Smith." (Official press book: Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Century 21 Exposition, 1962, p. 49.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00413
Date: 1962-04-01
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314 John Str. Front porch of ancient house
Future site of the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World’s Fair). In 1956, the City of Seattle’s Civic Center Advisory Committee selected land surrounding the existing Civic Auditorium at the foot of Queen Anne Hill for the site of the Century 21 Exposition and a future Civic Center for the city. In 1957, the city acquired the property through condemnation. With a few exceptions, including the Civic Auditorium (which was transformed into the Opera House) and the National Guard Armory (which became the Food Circus), most existing buildings were demolished. This set of photos documents the site before demolition began.
Identifier: spl_wl_sec_00273
Date: 1957-10
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[Postcard], the National Bank of Commerce of Seattle Building at the Seattle World's Fair
Postcard from the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). Color illustration of the State of Alaska Pavilion, with the United States Science Pavilion and Space Needle in the background. "The National Bank of Commerce of Washington, which erected the building for Alaska, provides information for visitors interested in the economic development of the 49th state." The Alaska Pavilion featured displays on the social and economic story of Alaska including a projection of the Aurora Borealis on the dome of the pavilion and color photographs of Alaska scenery and landmarks. (Official Guide Book, Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Acme Publications. p. 47.)
Identifier: spl_c21_2743223
Date: 1962
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Plaza of the States; Weldonians of Oakland; California
Plaza of the States, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World’s Fair). “Created at the specific request of Washington’s Governor Albert D. Rosellini and erected from funds voted by the Legislature, the Plaza of the States is a flag-surrounded open-air ceremonial area used for special programs honoring the fifty states. Located in the geographic center of the fairgrounds, the area contains a bandstand, speakers’ platform and a huge, gas-fed flame font -- symbol of the unity of the states. The flame will burn throughout the 184 days of the Fair.” (Official press book: Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Century 21 Exposition, 1962, p. 65.) Century Plaza Restaurant visible in background.
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00777
Date: 1962-07
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View of Space Needle from 2nd Av. No. and Republican
Space Needle, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World’s Fair). “The Space Needle, a modernistic totem of the Seattle World’s Fair, was conceived by Eddie Carlson as a doodle in 1959 and given form by architects John Graham Jr., Victor Steinbrueck, and John Ridley. When King County declined to fund the project, five private investors, Bagley Wright, Ned Skinner, Norton Clapp, John Graham Jr., and Howard S. Wright, took over and built the 605-foot tower in less than a year.” (Walt Crowley, “Space Needle (Seattle).” HistoryLink.org, http://historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=1424)
Identifier: spl_wl_sec_01720
Date: 1962-02-25
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View S.E. from U.S. Science Bldg. balcony on Denny Way
Construction, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair).
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00309
Date: 1962-03-11
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View so. of U.S. Science Pavilion arches
United States Science Pavilion, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). “The lacy pattern of this six-unit complex placed around a central court with its 100-ft. high arches is in decided contrast to the forcefulness of Coliseum 21. In a sense, the pavilion is a salute to concrete, for it is believed to represent the largest single use of precast and prestressed structural components in the nation.” (An Architect’s Guidebook to the Seattle World’s Fair. Seattle, Pacific Builder and Engineer, April 1962, p. 21)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_01078
Date: 1962-05-13
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Town & Country : Special Seattle issue
Selections from August, 1962 issue of Town & Country, focusing on the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). Includes "Fashions in Seattle," a 14-page spread of models posing at the Century 21 fairgrounds.
Identifier: spl_c21_421773_Aug1962
Date: 1962-08
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