Washington State Archives

Washington State Archives Working to collect, preserve, & provide access to records giving vital account of public government.

On September 3, 1959, the final phase of Seattle's Alaskan Way Viaduct officially opened to traffic, marking the complet...
09/04/2026

On September 3, 1959, the final phase of Seattle's Alaskan Way Viaduct officially opened to traffic, marking the completion of a massive infrastructure project that began a decade earlier. This southern extension linked up with the previously finished central portion (which opened in 1953) and the Battery Street Tunnel, fully establishing a 2.2-mile, double-decked elevated freeway along the city's waterfront. Originally built to carry U.S. Route 99, and later Highway 99, the viaduct provided a crucial, limited-access bypass that eased some traffic congestion on downtown Seattle's surface streets.

It served as one of the city's primary north-south transportation corridors for nearly 60 years until it was permanently closed in January 2019 and subsequently demolished to make way for a replacement tunnel following structural vulnerabilities exposed by the 2001 Nisqually earthquake.

📷 Alaskan Way Viaduct, ca 1959. WSDOT photograph.
📑 Brochure: Alaskan Way Viaduct, South Extension Opening, September 3, 1959.

On September 2, 1972, a dedication ceremony marked the official opening of the North Cascades Highway (SR 20). The celeb...
09/03/2026

On September 2, 1972, a dedication ceremony marked the official opening of the North Cascades Highway (SR 20). The celebration began at 10:30 a.m. in Winthrop at the eastern end of the route, concluding that evening in Sedro-Woolley on the western end. Governor Dan Evans led a caravan across the new highway, where onlookers were heard exclaiming, "I have never seen such rugged beauty." In his remarks, Governor Evans echoed a sentiment shared by many speakers that day: the importance of preserving the corridor's natural landscape.

The highway’s completion came 79 years after the Washington State Legislature first authorized it. The original 1893 plan envisioned a road from Whatcom County to Stevens County. Although it was the first road ever commissioned by the state, it took the longest to build. Following decades of route revisions and significant spending with little to show for it, heavy construction finally began in 1959.

📷 WSDOT color slide, Washington State Archives.

On the 43rd anniversary of the death of U.S. Senator Henry M. 'Scoop' Jackson of Everett, Washington (1912-1983), we rem...
09/01/2026

On the 43rd anniversary of the death of U.S. Senator Henry M. 'Scoop' Jackson of Everett, Washington (1912-1983), we remember the past and present Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Centers at Mount Rainier National Park.

Construction of the original Paradise Visitor Center began in 1964 and was completed two years later. At $2 million, it was the most expensive building in the national park system at the time. The visitor center was renamed after Senator Jackson in 1987.

The modern design of Paradise Visitor Center was met with mixed reactions. It had a peculiar flying saucer shape, one that didn't seem to mesh smoothly with the setting. Designed by the two architectural firms of Wimberly, Whisenand, Allison and Tong of Honolulu and McGuire and Muri of Tacoma, the building's round layout and conical roof were supposed to relate the structure to its mountain setting. Many thought it looked more like a sunken Space Needle.

Ultimately, structural problems (including a roof that could not handle a heavy snow load) necessitated a replacement. A new Jackson Visitor Center was completed in 2008, and the original building was demolished by 2009.

On August 30, 1969, a last-minute State Supreme Court ruling cleared the way for the Sky River Rock Festival & Lighter T...
09/01/2026

On August 30, 1969, a last-minute State Supreme Court ruling cleared the way for the Sky River Rock Festival & Lighter Than Air Fair II to open.

Over Labor Day weekend, thousands of rock fans converged on the Rainier Hereford Ranch north of Tenino. The three-day event featured the Flying Burrito Brothers, Buddy Guy, Steve Miller, and The Youngbloods, among many others. An estimated 25,000 to 40,000 people attended, paying $6 for admission and $2 for parking.

📷 Washington State Patrol "Rock Festivals" files, Washington State Archives.

Our Digital Projects team have added hundreds of new Washington State Ferries images to our Digital Archives! Included a...
08/29/2026

Our Digital Projects team have added hundreds of new Washington State Ferries images to our Digital Archives! Included among them are these artist's renderings from May 1979 depicting were likely the proposed interior designs for the six Issaquah-class vessels. The ferries were initially publicized as the "Rainbow Class" because of the distinct color scheme used for each boat, but the nickname never stuck. Over the years, the boats were refurbished, and most of their original rainbow colors were replaced.

The original color schemes for each boat of the old Rainbow Fleet:
Issaquah: Orange
Sealth: Green
Kittitas: Yellow
Kitsap: Blue
Cathlamet: Muddy brown
Chelan: Orange

📷 Artist's rendering of ferry passenger seating areas and solarium, May 1979. WSDOT photographs, Washington State Archives

Celebrated annually in Neah Bay near the end of August, Makah Days commemorates thousands of years of Makah culture and ...
08/29/2026

Celebrated annually in Neah Bay near the end of August, Makah Days commemorates thousands of years of Makah culture and the 1924 anniversary of tribal members becoming U.S. citizens. The festival reunites local tribal residents, relatives who have moved away, and neighboring First Nations communities from Vancouver Island. This multi-day celebration is a blend of past and present, featuring traditions like salmon bakes, war canoe races, and traditional dancing.

The following images document the celebration's dancers and dancing, which plays a central role in preserving Makah history and keeping the community's heritage alive.

📷 Makah Days, ca 1957. Washington State Library photographs, Washington State Archives.

Battling the Wildfires of 1958The 1958 fire season in Washington ranked as the most severe in years, driven by record-hi...
08/28/2026

Battling the Wildfires of 1958

The 1958 fire season in Washington ranked as the most severe in years, driven by record-high average temperatures throughout May, June, July, and August. Precipitation remained well below normal until late August, creating exceptionally dry conditions through the summer. This extreme fire weather was further compounded by a record number of lightning storms during May and June.

These photos document the devastating May 1958 Snoqualmie Forest Fire near Snoqualmie Pass. Crews from the State Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service fought to contain the flames as wind spread embers across the boundary. When the advance could not be stopped, officials conceded the fire was uncontainable. After exhausting shifts on the fire lines, the foresters stood in the Snoqualmie River to recover.

📷 Snoqualmie Forest fire, May 1958. Washington State Department of Natural Resources photos, Washington State Archives.

The colossal Astoria-Megler Bridge over the Columbia River was dedicated 60 years ago today, on August 27, 1966.The $24 ...
08/27/2026

The colossal Astoria-Megler Bridge over the Columbia River was dedicated 60 years ago today, on August 27, 1966.

The $24 million bridge stretches 4.1 miles across the mouth of the Columbia River, linking Astoria, Oregon, with Point Ellice, Washington. Its cantilever truss section, closest to the Oregon side, spans 2,468 feet, anchored by a 1,233-foot main span over the ship channel. At the time of its dedication, it was believed to be the longest continuous truss bridge in the world; today it still holds that title in North America.

The bridge's most immediate impact was completing the last unbroken link of US 101 between Mexico and Canada, ending the region's reliance on an aging ferry system that could no longer keep pace with modern automobile traffic.

📷 Astoria Bridge Dedication program cover, August 27, 1966. Washington State Archives.

Happy National Dog Day! 🐾 Today we’re celebrating with a favorite photo of Margaret O’Neil of Glocca Morra, the gentle I...
08/27/2026

Happy National Dog Day! 🐾
Today we’re celebrating with a favorite photo of Margaret O’Neil of Glocca Morra, the gentle Irish Wolfhound of the Evans family. The family adopted "Peggy" early in Dan Evans's first term, shortly after the family moved into the Governor's Mansion in 1965. Peggy had free rein of the Mansion and was the unofficial welcoming committee, always greeting visitors on the front porch.

📷 Evans Family with Peggy, 1973. Governor Dan Evans Papers, Washington State Archives.

A view from 70 years agoSituated at the edge of the Big Meadow, the Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge was dedicated in September...
08/19/2026

A view from 70 years ago
Situated at the edge of the Big Meadow, the Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge was dedicated in September 1952 with sweeping views of the Bailey Range and the Lilian and Elwha River valleys. The lodge's main floor invited visitors to grab a light lunch, visit the coffee bar, or relax by a massive fireplace in the lounge. The lower level featured a second dining space and a fully-equipped ski shop with instructors. On both levels, covered porches allowed guests to take in the views of the Olympic Mountain range.

The historic structure was lost to a fire on May 7, 2023, though plans for a replacement are currently in the pre-design phase.

📷 Hurricane Ridge, August 19, 1956. General Administration/DES photograph, Washington State Archives.

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