The Kalakala during its glory days. (Photo courtesy Washington State Digital Archives) 

Fans of the historic Kalakala are sad over the news that the sleek silver ferry boat has been taken this week to the Tacoma dry dock where it will be scrapped.

The Kalakala was a Seattle icon before the Space Needle was built. It launched in 1935 and plied Puget Sound’s waters until it was taken out of service in the 1960s. It later was used as a cannery in Alaska.

The Kalakala last spring, docked in Tacoma. (Photo courtesy Benjamin Helle)

The State Archives staff has found several photos and documents related to the famed vessel, including the ’50s era photo above. That photo is found in the State Digital Archives’ State Library Photograph Collection, 1851-1990. Below you’ll see a 1951 ferries schedule/fare brochure, which includes a photo of the Kalakala. Note that it cost only $1.55 to take a car on a ferry from Seattle to Bremerton back then!

A 1951 Washington State Ferries schedule/fare brochure. (Image courtesy State Archives)