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From the Archives: ferries from yesteryear

From the Archives: ferries from yesteryear

A “must-do” activity for Puget Sound visitors (and residents, too) is riding one of the ferries that cross its waters. Besides serving an important transportation purpose, the state’s ferry fleet offers riders a great way to enjoy the scenic views of the sound and the Cascades and Olympics. Ever wonder what the state’s ferry fleet looked like many years ago? The State Digital Archives has photo collections that provide an answer. The photo above shows the ferry boat Olympic as…

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Docs, photos of first WA territorial prison top Archives poll

Docs, photos of first WA territorial prison top Archives poll

Seatco Prison, near present-day Bucoda. (Photo courtesy Washington State Archives) Nowadays, it seems like anything about prison is hot. First, there’s the TV series “Orange Is the New Black.” And, OK, now you have documents about Washington’s first territorial prison capturing the June edition of the Archives Treasures poll. Is that a trend or what? The docs and photos related to the Seatco Prison near present-day Bucoda took first place with 57 percent, easily defeating State Ferries schedule pamphlets (30…

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June Archives Treasures: Vote, baby, vote!

June Archives Treasures: Vote, baby, vote!

Now that we’ve finished showcasing the June edition of the Archives Jewels, we’re ready for you to vote on your favorite.  Your three contestants are a collection of Washington State Ferries schedule pamphlets going back decades, documents on Washington’s first territorial prison and photos of the Spafford murals being removed from the House Gallery in 1993. You can pick your favorite by going to our online poll (below), which will be open until this Friday at 5 p.m. State Ferries…

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June Archives Treasure #1: classic WA Ferries pamphlets

June Archives Treasure #1: classic WA Ferries pamphlets

A ferry approaches one of the San Juans. (Photo courtesy of Benjamin Helle) Ferry boats are as much a part Washington’s Puget Sound region as rain, salmon and the Seahawks. In fact, Washington State Ferries operates the largest ferry system in the U.S., carrying more than 22 million passengers to 20 different terminals. The State Archives has a collection of State Ferries schedule pamphlets going back decades. This collection is the first Archives Treasure for June. The schedule featured below…

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Remembering the Kalakala

Remembering the Kalakala

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…

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Vote for fave July Archives treasure

Vote for fave July Archives treasure

The online poll is open. Now it’s time for you and others to choose your favorite Archives treasure for July. The three candidates: #1) Historic photos and documents of North Cascades Highway.  #2) Historic photos and documents of ferries.  #3) Photos related to Olympic torch and Washington Olympians. The online poll below is open until Friday at noon, so don’t forget to vote! We’ll blog about the winner Friday afternoon. [poll id=”19″]  

“Archives treasure” #2: ferry photos, docs (not docks)

“Archives treasure” #2: ferry photos, docs (not docks)

Kids wave at the Leschi as it passes. Circa 1960. (Photos courtesy of Washington State Archives) One of the unique characteristics of Puget Sound is the fleet of ferry boats used to carry passengers and vehicles across the water. In fact, these popular boats have been used to get people over the sound in one form or another since the 1850s. The second Archives treasure for July is the collection of photos and documents about the state’s ferries. This report,…

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April Archives treasure #1: Cross-sound bridge plans

April Archives treasure #1: Cross-sound bridge plans

(Map courtesy of Washington State Archives) Whether you’re a commuter or tourist, taking a ferry across Puget Sound is one of those fun experiences unique to our state. It’s hard to beat the view of Downtown Seattle at sunset or dusk as you arrive on a ferry sailing from Bremerton or Bainbridge Island. Believe it not, there were once plans afoot to replace the ferries with a series of bridges that would cross Puget Sound.  Here is a 1965 analysis…

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