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Fascinating Vintage Photos Show What Seattle Looked Like in the 1960s

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During the 1960s, Seattle thrived and the population increases significantly, because of the massive housing boom. African-Americans became the largest minority group in the city. The government passed laws against discrimination against minorities when renting or selling real estate.

The World’s Fair of 1962, also known as The Century 21 Exposition brought international attention and improved the local economy. Over ten million visitors from around the globe visited Seattle. As more and more people moved out of the suburbs, the government decided to redesign the waterfront. Three major waterfront businesses, the Edgewater Hotel, Trident Imports, and the Polynesian Restaurant, all opened, and new pedestrian walkways and piers were built.

Here below are some stunning vintage photos that will take you back to 1960s Seattle.

#1 Seattle belltown monorail From Spaceneedle, 1968

Seattle belltown monorail From Spaceneedle, 1968

15 Points

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#2 Seattle art museum, May 1968

Seattle art museum, May 1968

13 Points

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#3 Olde Curiosity shop Phone booth, 1968

Olde Curiosity shop Phone booth, 1968

12 Points

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#4 Space Needle View, August 1966

Space Needle View, August 1966

12 Points

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#5 Longacres 64 across field

Longacres 64 across field

10 Points

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#6 Center Space Needle & Flags, August 1967

Center Space Needle & Flags, August 1967

10 Points

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#7 Union Bay & University, November 1960

Union Bay & University, November 1960

10 Points

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#8 1st & Yesler April 1961

1st & Yesler April 1961

9 Points

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#9 Freeway fountian, April 1968

Freeway fountian, April 1968

9 Points

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#10 Boat – Montlake Bridge & Stadium, July 1963

Boat - Montlake Bridge & Stadium, July 1963

9 Points

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#11 University Heights School, April 66

University Heights School, April 66

8 Points

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#12 Lake Union Houseboats, August 1969

Lake Union Houseboats, August 1969

8 Points

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#13 Space Needle Fair 1962

Space Needle Fair 1962

8 Points

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#14 Fair North from Space Needle, July 1962

Fair North from Space Needle, July 1962

8 Points

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#15 2 Ship Seattle from helicopter, August 1960

2 Ship Seattle from helicopter, August 1960

8 Points

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#16 Jewish Synagogue, November 1960

Jewish Synagogue, November 1960

7 Points

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#17 Science Arches Fair Sunset, July 1962

Science Arches Fair Sunset, July 1962

7 Points

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#18 Dogwood Arboretum, 1957

Dogwood Arboretum, 1957

7 Points

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#19 Plymouth Church, April 1968

Plymouth Church, April 1968

7 Points

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#20

Fascinating Vintage Photos Show What Seattle Looked Like in the 1960s

7 Points

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#21 Olde Curiosity shop Phone booth, 1968

Olde Curiosity shop Phone booth, 1968

7 Points

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#22 UW Campus Quadrangle March 1965

UW Campus Quadrangle March 1965

6 Points

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#23 Gasworks from Lake Union, July 1963

Gasworks from Lake Union, July 1963

6 Points

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#24 Fisherman’s Wharf window reflection, 1960s

Fisherman's Wharf window reflection, 1960s

6 Points

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#25 Colman Dock, 1968

Colman Dock, 1968

6 Points

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#26 Seattle 6th & madison, July 1964

Seattle 6th & madison, July 1964

6 Points

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#27 U of W fountain 20 seconds, August 1964

U of W fountain 20 seconds, August 1964

6 Points

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#28 Seattle Center Piccoli Theatre, September 1963

Seattle Center Piccoli Theatre, September 1963

5 Points

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#29 Freeway from Lakeview, July 1963 looking north

Freeway from Lakeview, July 1963 looking north

5 Points

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#30 First Ave From Yesler, April 61

First Ave From Yesler, April 61

5 Points

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#31 Meany – behind facade, October 1965

Meany - behind facade, October 1965

5 Points

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#32 17th NE Horse chestnuts, Spring 1956

17th NE Horse chestnuts, Spring 1956

5 Points

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#33 Washington Building, June 1960

Washington Building, June 1960

5 Points

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#34 Meaney Hall Autumn 1966

Meaney Hall Autumn 1966

5 Points

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#35 Seattle 6th & madison, July 1964

Seattle 6th & madison, July 1964

5 Points

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#36 Freeway from Lakeview, July 1963

Freeway from Lakeview, July 1963

4 Points

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#37 Freeway Seely Site, Roanoke & Harvard November 1960

Freeway Seely Site, Roanoke & Harvard November 1960

4 Points

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#38 University Bank, October 1969

University Bank, October 1969

4 Points

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#39 Union Bay & University, November 1960

Union Bay & University, November 1960

4 Points

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#40 Tacoma Bway Mall, December 1963

Tacoma Bway Mall, December 1963

3 Points

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#41 Seattle, July 1964

Seattle, July 1964

3 Points

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#42 Yacht opening, May 1967

Yacht opening, May 1967

3 Points

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#43 UW fountain 10 Seconds, 1964

UW fountain 10 Seconds, 1964

3 Points

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#44 Two ships at dock, 1968

Two ships at dock, 1968

3 Points

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#45 U of W Fountain & Graduate, June 1967

U of W Fountain & Graduate, June 1967

3 Points

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#46 Freeway 6th & Spring, July 63

Freeway 6th & Spring, July 63

3 Points

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#47 Campus Spr Library & Admin, April 1969

Campus Spr Library & Admin, April 1969

3 Points

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#48 U of W Fountain & Graduate, June 1967

U of W Fountain & Graduate, June 1967

3 Points

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#49 UW Gen Eng & Rhodo, may 1967

UW Gen Eng & Rhodo, may 1967

3 Points

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#50 Library Fountian, April 1968

Library Fountian, April 1968

3 Points

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#51 Seattle Center Ferris Wheel, September 1963

Seattle Center Ferris Wheel, September 1963

2 Points

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#52 Freeway 6th & Spring July 1963

Freeway 6th & Spring July 1963

2 Points

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#53 CBS building, 1968

CBS building, 1968

2 Points

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#54 Library, June 1960

Library, June 1960

2 Points

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#55 Helicopter, June 1960

Helicopter, June 1960

2 Points

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#56 Center – Child in coaster Oct 1965

Center - Child in coaster Oct 1965

2 Points

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#57 Fair – Acapulco, July 1962

Fair - Acapulco, July 1962

2 Points

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#58 Bayview Manor, May 1968

Bayview Manor, May 1968

2 Points

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#59 Frieghter – West Seattle 1968

Frieghter - West Seattle 1968

2 Points

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#60 Fair, October 1961

Fair, October 1961

2 Points

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#61

Fascinating Vintage Photos Show What Seattle Looked Like in the 1960s

2 Points

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#62 Seneca Street, April 1968

Seneca Street, April 1968

2 Points

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#63

Fascinating Vintage Photos Show What Seattle Looked Like in the 1960s

2 Points

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#64 Remains of Plymouth, April 66

Remains of Plymouth, April 66

1 Point

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#65 Seattle 6th & madison, July 1964

Seattle 6th & madison, July 1964

1 Point

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#66 Plymouth Church, April 1968

Plymouth Church, April 1968

1 Point

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#67 UW Quadrangle Eng & Hub, May 1967

UW Quadrangle Eng & Hub, May 1967

1 Point

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#68 Engineering Library, 1968

Engineering Library, 1968

1 Point

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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5 Comments

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Tucker Soft says:

January 28, 2022 at 13:14 Copy Link of a Comment

A bunch of these are captioned incorrectly.

10

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Zoe Brooklyn says:

January 28, 2022 at 13:13 Copy Link of a Comment

I love those old photos of the city.

1

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Renee says:

April 10, 2022 at 05:45 Copy Link of a Comment

#59 is 6th and Pine, looking west.

2

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rotorhead1871 says:

April 10, 2022 at 08:30 Copy Link of a Comment

great pics of the way it used to be………..thanks!!

0

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M Baca says:

April 10, 2022 at 09:32 Copy Link of a Comment

Thank you for the trip down memory lane Aung.

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