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Tag: Interstate 5

Check out 1950 Washington highway map

Check out 1950 Washington highway map

Most Washingtonians probably can’t even remember life before Interstate 5, I-90 and I-405 were built in our state. But a 1950 state highway map found on our Legacy Washington webpage shows the routes drivers traveled before the arrival of our interstate freeways. You can make some interesting observations by closely examining the map, which was published by the Washington State Highway Commission: The main north-south highway in Western Washington was U.S. 99, which connected Bellingham, Everett, Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia and…

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From the Digital Archives: 1909 Washington highway map

From the Digital Archives: 1909 Washington highway map

Nowadays, when we look at a highway map of Washington, we see a complex web of gold, red and black lines crisscrossing the state. But it wasn’t always this way. In the early 1900s, highways were a rarity in the Evergreen State. Probably because cars and trucks were rarities as well, considering that the automobile had just been invented. This 1909 map displays Washington’s located and proposed highways, railroads (the dominant form of transportation then) and county seats. The map…

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Drivers beware: I-5 will be mess in Olympia next 2 weekends

Drivers beware: I-5 will be mess in Olympia next 2 weekends

This part of Interstate 5 in Olympia will face lane and ramp closures during the weekends of Sept. 12 and Sept. 19. Very long backups are expected. (Photos courtesy of Washington State Department of Transportation)  We normally love to encourage people to come visit Olympia, especially our beautiful Capitol Campus. But if you’re driving on Interstate 5 during the next two weekends, make sure to avoid using the freeway in our state capital during that time. That’s the word from…

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Archives’ classic photos of I-5 bridge over Skagit River

Archives’ classic photos of I-5 bridge over Skagit River

(Photos courtesy of Washington State Archives.) Following Thursday’s collapse of the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River near Mount Vernon just before the Memorial Day weekend, our State Archives staff quickly found some classic photos of the bridge from Archives’ Washington State Department of Transportation collection. The top photo, taken in 1960, shows an aerial view of the bridge from the west. The middle photo is taken from the south. Note how little development there was near either end…

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Library jewel #2: History of NW roads, pioneer trails

Library jewel #2: History of NW roads, pioneer trails

(Image courtesy of Washington State Library) We’re all familiar with Washington’s network of freeways and highways. But not many of us know about the early days of roads or pioneer trails in Washington and the Pacific Northwest. Thanks to the efforts of one couple in the 1960s, the State Library possesses a vast collection of information and photos about those early roads and pioneer trails. George and Annie Drew researched the history of Washington State. Their research turned into a…

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1924 road map opens “State Library jewels” poll

1924 road map opens “State Library jewels” poll

We recently finished showcasing three special items housed in our State Archives. Now, it’s the State Library’s turn. Starting this week, we’ll do a monthly feature on three of the many rare, unique or interesting items, maps and collections found in the State Library. After we show them off, you and others can vote in our online poll by choosing the State Library “contestant” you like best. After a few days, we’ll announce the January winner. The first contestant is…

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