The Alaskan Way Viaduct, Seattle

April 28, 2002

April 28, 2002

For over 65 years, the Alaskan Way Viaduct was a prominent and controversial feature of Seattle’s waterfront, running along Alaskan Way. Opened in 1953 as part of State Route 99, the elevated double-decker highway offered breathtaking views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains, but was also criticized as an eyesore that cut the city off from its shore.

After being damaged in the 2001 Nisqually earthquake, its seismic vulnerability became a major concern, and its fate was sealed. After years of public debate, the viaduct was permanently closed to traffic on January 11, 2019, and replaced by a two-mile-long tunnel that runs beneath downtown. Demolition of the iconic structure began shortly after and was completed in late 2019, forever changing the Seattle cityscape and opening up new public spaces and views.

The Speakeasy Cafe: A Seattle Tech and Arts Hub

April 29, 2002

April 29, 2002

Located at 2nd Avenue and Bell Street, Seattle, WA, the Speakeasy Cafe was a groundbreaking establishment in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood during the 1990s. It was one of the city’s first and most influential internet cafes, quickly becoming a vital community hub during the dawn of the public internet.

More than just a place to get coffee and get online, the Speakeasy was a cultural center for artists, tech enthusiasts, and musicians. It hosted digital arts events and provided a gathering space for Seattle’s burgeoning tech and creative scenes. The distinctive metal radio tower sign became a recognizable landmark, symbolizing the cafe’s role in broadcasting new ideas and connecting people in the digital age. The interior was just as expressive, featuring murals that captured the intersection of technology and art.

Tragically, the Speakeasy Cafe was destroyed in a two-alarm electrical fire on May 18, 2001, which consumed the upper floor of the building and caused extensive damage to the cafe below. The loss of the Speakeasy was a significant blow to the Belltown community and marked the end of an era for a true internet pioneer.

Seattle Mamas Mexican Restaurant Belltown Elvis Room

May 25, 2002

May 25, 2002

July 1, 2017

This photo captures a glimpse of the legendary Elvis Room at Mama’s Mexican Kitchen, a beloved Belltown institution that operated at 2234 2nd Avenue from 1974 to 2016. For 42 years, Mama’s was a neighborhood mainstay, celebrated for its vibrant, kitschy decor and hearty Mexican-American comfort food.

The Elvis Room was a particularly famous and highly requested section of the restaurant, lavishly decorated with a treasure trove of Elvis Presley memorabilia, including posters, statues, and other collectibles that created a unique and festive dining atmosphere. An Elvis statue also famously greeted customers at the entrance.

After a long run, Mama’s Mexican Kitchen served its last meal in 2017. The building, a designated city landmark, was eventually approved for demolition to make way for new development, marking the end of an era for one of Belltown’s most iconic and colorful establishments.

Dick's Drive-In - Capitol Hill, Seattle

A true Seattle institution, Dick’s Drive-In has been serving up classic burgers, hand-cut fries, and milkshakes since 1954. The Capitol Hill location, opened in 1955 at 115 Broadway E, is an iconic spot, famously mentioned in Sir Mix-a-Lot’s “Posse on Broadway”, referenced in The Presidents of the United States of America’s 1996 song “L.I.P.”, and featured in Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’s “White Walls” music video. It’s a must-visit for a taste of classic Seattle fast food.

Seattle Belltown Showbox Marquee Reverend Horton Heat Was Playing

This photo captures the marquee of The Showbox, one of Seattle’s most storied music venues, announcing a performance by the psychobilly band Reverend Horton Heat. Located at 1426 1st Avenue, near the iconic Pike Place Market, The Showbox has been a cornerstone of Seattle’s entertainment scene since it opened in 1939.

With its beautiful art-deco design, the venue has hosted an incredible range of artists over the decades, from jazz legends like Duke Ellington and the Ramones to the grunge-era icons that defined Seattle in the 90s, including Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Its history and central role in the city’s music culture have made it a beloved landmark, with significant public efforts made to preserve it from redevelopment.

Reverend Horton Heat, the band featured on the marquee, is a high-energy trio from Texas known for their loud, fast, and fun blend of rockabilly, punk, and country. A show like this at a venue like The Showbox is a classic Seattle music experience, bringing together a legendary space with a powerhouse live act.

Seattle Belltown Roq La Rue Gallery

This photo shows the entrance to Roq La Rue Gallery during its time in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood. Founded by Kirsten Anderson in 1998, Roq La Rue was a pioneering gallery that became internationally recognized for championing the burgeoning Pop Surrealism and Lowbrow art movements.

The gallery provided a crucial platform for a new generation of artists whose work was often countercultural, provocative, and informed by everything from street art and comics to tiki and Kustom Kulture. For years, its location at 2312 2nd Avenue in Belltown was a hub for this vibrant and accessible art scene, drawing crowds to its often-packed opening nights.

Over the years, Roq La Rue has moved to different locations, including Pioneer Square and its current home near the Olympic Sculpture Park, but its roots in Belltown mark a significant chapter in the history of Seattle’s alternative art world. It remains an influential force in contemporary art.

Seattle Belltown Lava Lounge

April 29, 2002

July 1, 2017

The Lava Lounge was a popular tiki-themed bar located at 2226 2nd Ave in the Belltown neighborhood of Seattle. For nearly two decades, it was a beloved local spot known for its extensive rum selection, live music, and laid-back, dog-friendly atmosphere. The bar featured a shuffleboard table, a photo booth, and served famously strong boozy slushies.

Unfortunately, the Lava Lounge, along with other businesses on the block like Neon Boots and Rocco’s, closed its doors in January 2022 to make way for a new development project. Tragically, the building was destroyed in a fire just a month after its closure, marking the end of an era for this iconic Belltown establishment.