Preview up to 100 items from this collection below. The Space Needle’s construction during the early 1960s was an epic feat of architecture and design. George Gulacsik chronicled the project with over 2000 photos. Browse through our timeline to see the Needle’s construction milestones.
View from near 3rd Ave. and Pine St., 1890
Transcribed from photograph: "Views. From Denny Hill, 1890. Looking South. 1. First Methodist Protestant Church. Built 1889-1890, demolished 1907. 2. Abbott House. 3. Armory. 4. Young Naturalist building. 5. University. 6. Providence Hospital. 7. Central School."
Identifier: spl_shp_5137
Date: 1890
View this itemWilliam Hickman Moore, ca. 1906
Transcribed from photograph: "Portraits. Moore, William Hickman. 1861-1946. Mayor, 1906-1908."
Identifier: spl_shp_15121
Date: 1906?
View this itemWorkers at top of Space Needle and view SE, ca. November 11, 1961
Identifier: spl_gg_70090023
Date: 1961-11-11
View this itemWorkers on outer ring of Space Needle, ca. December 5, 1961
Identifier: spl_gg_74550006
Date: 1961-12-04
View this itemCrane operator at Space Needle construction site, ca. July 1961
Identifier: spl_gg_68820028
Date: 1961-07
View this itemFire origin from 1st Ave. and Spring St., June 6, 1889
Transcribed from photograph: "Fire. June 6, 1889. At place of origin. Front Street looking South from Spring Street. Fire began at southwest corner of Front Street and Madison Street. Center: dome of Frye's Opera house. M. R. Maddock's building is the white building."
Identifier: spl_shp_5097
Date: 1889-06-06
View this itemSt. Spiridon, Orthodox Russian-American cathedral, ca. 1950
Transcribed from photograph: "Seattle Churches. St. Spiridon, Russian-American. Orthodox cathedral of. Exterior. 400 Yale North. Side view of cupolas."
Identifier: spl_shp_22339
Date: 1950?
View this itemWorkers hammer drift pins into place on Space Needle leg, ca. July 1961
Identifier: spl_gg_68820032
Date: 1961-07
View this itemFriends of the Market position statement on Pike Plaza Revelopment Project #21
The statement outlines the issues that the Friends group has with the redevelopment plan including the displacement of farmers and proposed usage of buildings in the area. The Friends group emphasizes the need for improvements that will benefit the farmers and the introduction of more low income housing in the area.
Identifier: spl_ps_015
View this itemWorkers installing cross-tie between Space Needle legs, ca. September 12, 1961
Identifier: spl_gg_69670021
Date: 1961-09-12
View this item