Postcard - Seattle, Washington

"Aerial view of Seattle with Space Needle, Elliott Bay, and Mt. Ranier [sic]"

1978

Postcard - Seattle, Washington

"Seattle, Washington. Dramatic night view of world famous Space Needle, the Queen City and majestic Mount Rainier in the distance. Even the moon enjoys the view."

Uh, OK. From the 1970s.

Postcard - Seattle, Washington

"Seattle skyline at dusk, with Mt. Rainier in background as seen from historic Queen Ann Hill."

1970s.

Postcard - Seattle, Washington

"The Seattle downtown business district as seen from Queen Anne Hill. In the foreground, the 600 foot tall Space Needle."

late 1970s or in 1980.

Postcard - Seattle, Washington

"Civic Center, Seattle, Washington"

1970s

Postcard - Seattle, Washington

"On a sparkling winter morning in Seattle, the moon descends toward the Olympic Mountains and highlights the space needle in the foreground."

ca. 1980.

Postcard - Seattle, Washington

"Three of Seattle's major points of interest as seen from Puget Sound are the Pacific Science Center with its beautiful arches, the 600 foot high (183 cm) Space Needle and its revolving restaurant rising above the city, and Pier 70, housing a collection of unique and interesting shops."

1970s

Postcard - Seattle, Washington

"The 600 ft. high Space Needle at the Seattle Center affords a spectacular view of the city from its Observation deck and the revolving Restaurant. Lake Washington is visible in the distance."

1970s.

Potscard - Seattle, Washington

"Seattle, Washington. This view looking southeast shows the Coliseum (extreme left) and the Seattle Center with the World Famous Space Needle and the White Arches of the Pacific Science Center. To the right of Denny (street in center) is a portion of metropolitan Seattle and a few of the new sky-scrapers. Snow-capped Cascade Mountains in the distance."

1970s.

Postcard - Seattle, Washington

"Waterfront, Seattle, Washington with the Space Needle and the Cascade Mountains catching the skyline."

In the 1970s, man. The Best Decade. Well, at least if you were 20-something at the time.

Postcard - Seattle, Washington

"Seattle's Skyline from West Seattle looking across Elliott Bay, with many of Seattle's tallest buildings in the background. Some of the most prominent structures (from the left to right), Space Needle, Sea First Bank, Bank of California and the Federal Building."

1970s.

Postcard - Seattle, Washington

"An impressive panorama of Seattle, Washington as seen from downtown in a northwestern direction toward Puget Sound. The prominent tower dominating the scenery is the 600 ft. Space Needle, situated within a center of cultural and athletic activities-- appropriately named Seattle Center."

1970s.

Postcard - Seattle, Washington

"Space Needle, Seattle, Washington. The World Famous Space Needle overlooking the Seattle Center and Lake Union with a portion of Interstate 5 on the right -- in the distance Cascade Mountain Range and Mt. Baker."

1970s.

Postcard - Seattle, Washington

"Space Needle and Mount Baker. Portions of the Seattle Center, Lake Union and the Monorail are seen in this dramatic photo of the World Famous Space Needle built in 1961 at a cost of $4 1/2 million dollars. The 600 feet high restaurant revolved in a 360 degree circle each hour permitting the diner to view the wonders of the Puget Sound country in comfort and luxury. No visitor will want to miss this experience."

1970s.

Postcard - Seattle, Washington

"Seattle, Washington. In this aerial we see the Space Needle, most of the Seattle Center including the Coliseum, Fountain, Stadium, Exhibition Hall, and the Food Circus in the immediate foreground and in the background the new grain elevators, Elliott Bay, Magnolia District and in the distance the incomparable Olympic Mountains."

1970s. Now how many postcards do you get to see that mention the Space Needle and grain elevators in the same passage? This is a special moment.

Postcard - Seattle, Washington

"The Downtown Seattle Business District, as seen from the south, reflects a combination of old and new buildings found in the city. The 600 foot (183 m) Space Needle can be seen in the distance."

1970s.

Postcard - Seattle, Washington

"An aerial view of Seattle from the south shows the King County Domed Stadium in the foreground, the Downtown Business District, and the Space Needle in the background. To the left is a small part of Seattle's busy waterfront."


Sound familiar? It should. The text is exactly the same as the previous postcard I posted. This one appears to be just slightly later than the other postcard.

Postcard - Seattle, Washington

"An aerial view of Seattle from the south shows the King County Domed Stadium in the foreground, the Downtown Business District, and the Space Needle in the background. To the left is a small part of Seattle's busy waterfront."

1970s

Postcard - Seattle, Washington

"Seattle, Washington. This panoramic view, looking towards the northwest, shows the King County Domed Stadium, with a maximum capacity of 80,000, and the Downtown Business District. In the background is Seattle's waterfront and the Olympic Mountain Range."

From the mid-1970s. When that black skyscraper on the left was erected, locals called it "The box the Space Needle Arrived In."

Postcard - Seattle, Washington

"Looking south from the top of the Space Needle-- this is how Seattle looks in the twilight. 90 miles away but seemingly close-by stands majestic Mt. Rainier (14,408 ft.) glowing in the sunset like a strawberry ice cream cone. A beautiful and unforgettable sight from the Space Needle or from a plane."

Probably from the 1970s. This is one of the more unusual bits of postcard prose I have encountered. Rainier has been one of those awesome geographical features that never ceases to instill wonder into the hearts of us native Washingtonians, east and west. It is part of who we are. We love it, but the Mountain could erupt at any time, causing incredible widespread damage. Those of us who remember the eruption of Mt. St. Helens in 1980 know it can happen with relatively little warning.

Calling The Mountain a "strawberry ice cream cone" is deliciously bizarre.