A glance through a 1946 Capitol Hill Times reveals transportation concerns
Early issues of the Capitol Hill Times are rare and hard to find. But reflecting on the upcoming new year, I thought it would be interesting to explore what was on people's minds as they approached a new year many years ago.
On January 3, 1946, the paper was serving the neighborhoods of 15th Avenue, Auto Row, Broadway, 19th Avenue and Olive Way, and distributing through a district office at 1828 Broadway. The top news on the front page was a photo from the Klondike with word that "The Seattle Sourdough Club will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the Pay Streak in the Klondike by George Carmack.... This Carmack Stampede opened up the greatest boulevard of wealth that runs into Seattle."
Other top news: "Readers will extremely regret the fact that there are 30 children who are known to the King County Welfare Department because at this time they have no suitable place to live...."
School issues were much in evidence, and celebrations of New Year's events were reported.
A piece signed by D.D. titled B.H.S. (Broadway High School) offered a few resolutions: "Beverly Coghland - Discover more ways to miss Health; Raymond Morth - To try some cigars with the boys; Barbara Flack - Go out to West Seattle and play golf some day; and Robert Winan - Learn to drive a car with a fluid drive."
By January 1946, World War II was over but many people were still serving in the Armed Forces: "Don Taylor, manager of the Big Bear Store, 500 15th Ave., returns to business after an enviable record in the Navy...," and "Melvin F. Johnson, husband of Mrs. Janis Johnson, 405 E. Olive St., has been promoted from private first class to sergeant."
Most fascinating was the full-page ad taken out by The Bon Marché: "What are the plans for YOUR Seattle Traffic Control." This was a contest for every motorist, every pedestrian, every parent" to submit solutions for traffic control in Seattle. There was $1,000 in prizes for the winning solution.
Organized by The Bon Marché (remember that name?) and promoted throughout the city, "Each month a different civic problem will be described, and YOU can win CASH by submitting one of the best solutions. Monthly awards will be made.... Each monthly contest is separate and distinct so that every month you have a chance to win...."
The first month of Your Seattle Contest began on January 2 and lasted until January 19, with awards announced on February 3. A big dinner for the winners and civic leaders was held in the Rainier Club on February 1, where the Seattle P-I. photographed the winner of the traffic contest, R. E. Turner, of 812 23rd Ave., sharing his ideas with Governor Arthur B. Langlie.
Big ideas
"Elevate Seventh Avenue from Blanchard to Seneca, then tunnel Seventh Avenue from seventh and James to Eighth and Main. Elevate Eighth Avenue from Eighth and Main to Plummer, continuing on to Airport Way and via a diagonal to Fourth Avenue South. Traffic lights in congested areas should periodically give pedestrians entire intersection and permit cautious right turns for vehicles. Post pedestrian rules at cross-walks. Metered parking subways under Second, Third and Fourth avenues with one-way entrances and exits on steep cross streets, with right turns only, going in and out."
Second place winner Sidney R. Gill also offered comprehensive suggestions, including "A viaduct connecting Broadway and Airport Way, and an overpass on Denny Way, at Westlake and at Eastlake. Also, extend this arterial direct to Broadway...."
Third place winner Warren E. Crane suggested we "provide adequate downtown parking with three, six-story parking buildings with garage facilities should be built under municipal ownership."
The winning statements are quoted from "Solutions for Your Seattle/Traffic Control," from the Feb. 4, 1946, issue. Capitol Hill folks were also quoted in this report, which is divided into a number of issues that emerged from the responses. Arthur E. Burgess, 1647 E. Aloha St., commented on one-way streets, suggesting "First and Fourth avenues northbound; Second and Fifth avenues southbound; Third Avenue both north and south traffic."
M. J. Forsell, 1915 Miller St., discussed on tunnels, suggesting that "Aurora through traffic enter the tunnel on Seventh Avenue, beginning between Union and University streets."
L.L. Rood suggested a tunnel from Eastlake and Howell Street to Seventh Avenue and Jefferson, while Oliver Foss also asked for a municipal parking lot in the Denny Regrade.
C. W. Sherman, of 1516 E. Republican St., referenced creating a junior driving school. Mrs. C. B. Chase asked to allow a right-hand turn against a red signal in outlying districts.
"More white crossing lanes in apartment and residential districts" was suggested by Ralph B. Way, of 1722 Summit St.
An Alaskan Way Viaduct was one of many suggestions and drawings submitted to this contest. Total traffic contest answers reached 2,791, with the highest number addressing parking (391).
It is hard to imagine now what Seattle was like before the Alaskan Way Viaduct was built, before the Seattle Center existed, before the freeways were even dreamed about. People in 1946 were imagining solutions to traffic, some of which have come to pass. Others, like municipal parking garages, have yet to be developed.
Also, it is difficult to imagine that a private company, The Bon Marche, aided by civic activists, put this year-long series of new year resolutions together into a contest and actually asked the public what they thought might be the solutions. The fact that the report is still extant in the former city Department of Engineering papers shows that it was taken seriously.
Dotty DeCoster lives on the Hill and can be reached at editor@capitolhilltimes.com.
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