After the Fair – Seattle Century 21

It is fairly uncommon to find photos of after an event.  The party is over and the excitement that causes people to photograph something is over.  In my recent 300 slide purchase of 1960s Seattle there were a series of post fair photos.

The feature photo above is of the Islands of Hawaii Pavilion.  The 50th state was still new to the union by only 3 years.  This shows the emptiness of buildings being demolished or prepared for moving. From what I can tell it was used into the 70s either in its original place or in the Gay Way (Fun Forest) as a game arcade.

Several restaurants next to the International Fountain are in the collection.  The Hofbrau Haus and Fiesta where a weary fairgoer could get a drink and relax a little.

After Seattle World’s Fair Jan ’63 – Int’l Fountain and Hofbrau Haus restaurant

 

After Seattle World’s Fair Jan ’63 – Skyride pole and Fiesta Restaurant

After Seattle World’s Fair Jan ’63 – Northwest corner of fairgrounds

The fairgrounds were built around a few existing buildings.  One was the old Armory that became a multi use Food pavilion called the Food Circus.  It later became the Center House and now is called the Armory in commemoration of its original use.  This photo shows that building, the State Flag Plaza, and the US Science Pavilion peeking over the top of the Hall of industry. The Hall of industry became the Flag Pavilion which has been torn down.  The whole plaza is now repurposed and called Fisher Plaza.  Notice the Hofbrau Haus Restaurant on the left? Also, for reference the Int’l Fountain is behind the photographer.

After Seattle World’s Fair Jan ’63 – Armory and corner of Hofbrau Haus by Fountain

The International Fountain has been renovated so people can walk right down to it. The inner works are also modernized.

After Seattle World’s Fair Jan ’63 – Intl Fountain with Queen Anne Hill in distance

After Seattle World’s Fair Jan ’63 – State Flag Plaza, Int’l Fountain, Queen Anne Hill and Exhibition Hall

The Memorial Stadium started out life as Civic Field in 1927 along with several other buildings that were a foundation for the fair.  It was rebuilt in 1946 as the High School Memorial Stadium.  During the fair it hosted the Ringling Brothers Circus, Tommy Bartlett’s Water Ski Sky and Stage Show, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans’ Western Show, and an appearance by evangelist Billy Graham. (Thanx Wiki for detailed facts).  Here it is in January 1963 in clean up stage.

After Seattle World’s Fair Jan ’63 – empty Stadium

After Seattle World’s Fair Jan ’63 – Stadium

Over on the other side of the Armory (Food Circus) there was a mural commissioned by artist Paul Horiuchi.  It faces the Children’s Center and has it’s back to the Space Needle.  The US Science Center is to the right in this picture below of it.

After Seattle World’s Fair Jan ’63 – Space Needle base and Paul Horiuchi Mural (both still around)

This is now a grass field and used for concerts.  Some people don’t like it’s garish style but I have grown to love it as part of our 60’s art. This next picture is the Main Information Building and the Children’s Center.

After Seattle World’s Fair Jan ’63 – Main Info & Children Buildings

Here is what it looks like North of the mural. That is the Armory (Food Circus) on the left. Check out the cars of the time.

After Seattle World’s Fair Jan ’63 – Corner of Food Circus (Armory) and Horiuchi mural.

Here we have a lot of parking and the IBM exhibit.

After Seattle World’s Fair Jan ’63- Science Ctr, IBM exhibit and cars

Last but not least was the gift from our sister city to us.  Kobe sent this bell to Seattle for the fair and it is still in this spot to this day.

After Seattle World’s Fair Jan ’63 – Kobe Bell gift to Seattle