All Over The Map | Seattle History from Feliks Banel

Image: The Jantzen Beach carousel was installed in June 1928 at the amusement park that once stood ...

Feliks Banel

Beloved, and huge, Jantzen Beach Carousel gets a new home

A beloved Portland area landmark – a vintage carousel from the 1920s – is hitting the trail for points east.

3 days ago

Feliks Banel

When the I-5 Ship Canal Bridge almost became a “$13 million parking lot”

Commuters know it, they love it, they can’t live without it. Yes, it’s the Interstate 5 Ship Canal Bridge in Seattle

12 days ago

Feliks Banel

‘He did everything in Seattle sports’: The career of ‘S. Royal Brougham Way’ namesake

"He's one of the most important figures in Seattle sports history," Daivd Eskenazi said about Royal Brougham.

19 days ago

Feliks Banel

‘Charlie Browning is still first-downing’ and other Husky novelty songs

As UW Husky football kicks off its final Pac-12 season it’s a perfect excuse to look and listen back to some old local novelty songs.

26 days ago

Feliks Banel

Getting a grip on the history of Aurora’s big red wrench

Driving south on Highway 99 just north of the Aurora Bridge, many motorists can’t help but notice a giant, red wrench on top of a motorcycle repair shop.

1 month ago

Watermelons grown in and around Hermiston, Oregon have been jointly marketed for decades; this ad d...

Feliks Banel

In search of sweet, ripe watermelons and Hermiston, Ore.

You might have seen those stickers on melons that say, “Grown in Hermiston, Oregon.” And then, you might have wondered, ‘Where is Hermiston, exactly?’

2 months ago

Feliks Banel

Despite off-stage drama, Kitsap Forest Theater celebrates 100 years

On the highway between Bremerton and Seabeck, the Kitsap Forest Theater is this summer celebrating 100 years of outdoor plays and musicals.

2 months ago

Feliks Banel

All Over The Map: Who was the ‘Paine’ of Paine Field?

Paine Field added "Seattle" to its name this week – becoming Seattle Paine Field International Airport. But what does the 'Paine' stand for?

2 months ago

Feliks Banel

Uncovering the mysterious origins of the name ‘Aurora Bridge’

What do you call the big piece of transportation infrastructure which carries State Route 99 high over Fremont and the Lake Washington Ship Canal?

2 months ago

Feliks Banel

Seattle’s first organized baseball game was played in 1877

When and where, exactly, did Seattleites witness the city’s first organized baseball game?

3 months ago

Feliks Banel

Seattle’s Lake Union was named at July 4 picnic in 1854

The old story goes that the names of Lake Union and Lake Washington were suggested during a speech given at a 4th of July picnic in Seattle in 1854

3 months ago

Feliks Banel

When Bob Hope broadcast live from Fort Lewis

“Yes, sir, how do you do, ladies and gentlemen?” said Bob Hope, the well-known comedian during his live broadcast at Fort Lewis in 1942.

3 months ago

Feliks Banel

The best WA public service music made for (and paid by) the masses

Here’s a sampling of some of the best public service music in Washington state that was made for, and paid for, by the people.

3 months ago

Feliks Banel

Giant forgotten sign said ‘WELCOME HOME’ to returning veterans

The Evergreen State’s greeting to the returning troops had a special element that other places lacked: a giant sign, now long forgotten.

4 months ago

Feliks Banel

Gold Mines, Old Forts and other Northwest history mapped by Oregon man

An Oregon service station owner loved old maps and Northwest history so much, he launched a family business that’s still going strong.

4 months ago

Feliks Banel

When Sea-Tac Airport disappeared for six months

Sea-Tac Airport has had a few different names, but port commissioners ultimately decided to "Keep it Sea-Tac" in the 1980s.

4 months ago

When the old Parkland School in Pierce County was threatened with demolition last year, community m...

Feliks Banel

Community group working to save “Space Needle of Parkland”

When the old Parkland School in Pierce County was threatened with demolition last year, community members swung into action and managed to convince the owner to sell it to them instead.

4 months ago

Feliks Banel

President Carter: ‘Moon looks like a golf course’ compared to Mount St. Helens

When Mount St. Helens erupted 43 years ago next week, President Jimmy Carter declared all of Washington state a federal disaster area.

4 months ago

Restoration of the 1938 Chief Theatre neon sign, seen in the background, was the catalyst that laun...

Feliks Banel

Vintage neon shines a light on the history of this Northwest town

Restoration of the 1938 Chief Theatre neon sign was the catalyst that launched a campaign to make vintage neon an attraction

5 months ago

Feliks Banel

Happy 40th birthday to the Tacoma Dome (or is it DomaTacoma?)

The Tacoma Dome is celebrating its 40th birthday with fun and free activities, but the official selection the name goes back a bit further.

5 months ago

Jim Wilke stands at the site of The Penthouse, a legendary Seattle jazz club which operated from 19...

Feliks Banel

Seattle’s coolest jazz club replaced decades ago by parking garage

In a tiny storefront club on First Avenue at the foot of Cherry Street 60 years ago, jazz history was made, and a local man was there to preserve some

5 months ago

Feliks Banel

Thrilling boat races once ran on the Sammamish Slough

The Sammamish Slough was the unlikely location of a day of boat races held every April on the body of water connecting Lake Sammamish and Lake Washington.

6 months ago

Feliks Banel

Long-lost photo found of mysterious shipwreck passenger

The local explorers who located the long-lost 1875 wreck of the steamship PACIFIC off the Washington coast have found another priceless treasure: a photo

6 months ago

Feliks Banel

Routes of racism: Civic decision-making and highways at Wing Luke Museum

Standing under the highway on King Street a few days ago, Woodward raised her voice over the roar of the traffic overhead to describe what used to be there.