George F. Cotterill, mayor of the City of Seattle in 1912, was a founding member of the Queen City Road Club and was involved in surveying and designing a 25-mile bike path system in the late 1800s and early1900s that laid the ground work for the city’s future boulevard system (including Magnolia Boulevard).
In “Sporting News and Other Gossip,” a weekly column in The Seattle Times on April 6, 1900, it was written: “The new Magnolia Bluff path can now be used by cyclists. It has been cindered and rolled, and has been pronounced by George F. Cotterill of the Queen City Roads Club to be in splendid condition.”
One week earlier, in the same column, it was reported that “The new Magnolia Bluff path…to ascertain its beauty and its many advantages one must travel over it from beginning to end, and even then half of the beauties of the road will be missed…the view of the city, harbor, and of Mount Rainer is most comprehensive [along Smith Cove]…Pleasant Valley provides the thirsty with pure spring water [now 32nd, 33rd and 34th avenues West, water most probably from Wolfe Creek], two miles through a forest where in addition to the firs, there is a close interlocking of maples so thick in many places the path presents the appearance of a tunnel cut through rich foliage…From the Lookout Point the most interesting view is that of the West Point Lighthouse and grounds…then…to [newly named, just being established] Fort Lawton.”
The route from the city center at Yesler Way was 10 miles. Known for its rigor as well as its beauty.
Also, of interest was the reporting of Cotterill’s statement on the City Ordinance 4450 requiring bicycle licenses - $1 with a fine of $5 or $10 if caught riding without one. And, the required bell, light and speed limits for “wheelmen” and “lady cyclists”.
Of course, today, cycling has taken on a whole new level of importance. Mayor Mike McGinn, well known for riding his electrically assisted bicycle to and from political events during his campaign, was elected as Seattle’s Mayor in 2009. A member of the Sierra Club, he weilded his clout against cars by raising license tabs and parking fees.
Seattle officials have also promoted Green Bike Boxes, bike paths through the Seattle and road diets on well-traveled arterials.
According to Joel Connelly, blogger for SEATTLEPI.COM: “[McGinn] allocated a $13 million funding increase for bicycle and pedestrian projects derived from new taxes on motorists. At the same time, he sought reduced funding in road maintenance and widespread cuts in basics such as police and library services. His increased funding of pedestrian and bicycle projects during a time of general cuts raised criticism of his budgetary priorities”. But, no bicycle licensing in the city now.
Both McGinn and Cotterill had other big issues besides bicycles on their minds when choosing to run for Mayor: Cotterill – enacting prohibition and McGinn - stopping the waterfront tunnel.
Note: Cotterill was the assistant for R. H. Thomson, the self-educated Seattle City Engineer who in his 20 year tenure is reportedly responsible for “almost all of Seattle’s infrastructure”. (See next month’s Snapshot in Time- Magnolia for more information on Thompson and Magnolia).
Sources: UW Special Collections: http://digital.lib.washington.edu/findingaids/view?docId=CotterillGeorgeF38-1_38-2.xml on March 2012; Seattle Times Archive, “Sporting News and Gossip”, April 6 and 13, 1900; HistoryLink, Thomson, Reginald Heber, Essay 2074, Aaen J Stein, January 18, 2000 on March 2012 and HistoryLink, Cotterill, George Fletcher, Essay 2709, David Wilma, October 2, 2000 on March 2012; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_McGinn, on March 2012; “Mayor McGinn: Potential nightmare for Greens?” JOEL CONNELL, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
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