May 11, 2013
April 22, 2013
Find Fremont Founders, and Some Sizzling History, Thanks To SPL
A new history piece, on Fremont founders, has been posted on the Fremocentrist.com History page. Using images provided by the Seattle Public Library Special Collections, and the Neighborhood History Project, Fremocentrist.com has been able to share stories from Fremont’s – and Seattle’s – pasts!
Visit the Fremocentrist.com History page to learn more about Guy Phinney, E.C. Kilbourne, and Corliss P. Stone. And, don’t forget to visit the Seattle Public Library Neighborhood History Project for even more Fremont historical images and archives.
April 1, 2013
Archival Excerpt – From ‘The Fremont Forum’ Newspaper
In honor of the launch of the new History page of Fremocentrist.com, read this article written by Millie Klassert-Marzec, from ‘The Fremont Forum’ newspaper, dated April 1st, 1979:
Fremont Bridge Stuck
by Millie Klassert
Motorists and pedestrians are being advised to use alternate routes when traveling to or from downtown. On Tuesday, April 2 at 4:35 p.m. an expensive pleasure craft signaled to the control tower that it wished to pass through the canal on its way to the Sound. It got through, but not before it struck the side of the bridge and jarred loose the wiring of the bridge’s control mechanism, causing the bridge to stick. Traffic was backed up for half mile on Fremont, and back as far as Vancouver’s on Eastlake.
Seattle police were busy until 6 p.m. putting up barricades and redirecting the rush hour traffic. According to one officer, the scene was similar to the Fremont Fair with traffic stopped and numerous persons walking around, apparently lost. “It has been hectic, but everyone has been very cooperative and almost in a party spirit,” he said.
But the owner of the boat, who wished to remain anonymous(his name is Bill McBride-the Forum tells all!), was not in a good mood. He will not only have to repair his yacht, but will also have to repay the City for the repair of the bridge, which has been set at a quarter-of-a-million dollars. The owner said he was planning to file for bankruptcy this week.
Motorists are advised to use the Ballard Bridge, the Aurora Bridge, or the University Bridge. Buses are also being rerouted and commuters are advised to call Metro for details.
Mayor Royer, who arrived late on the scene, apologized for the inconveniences this will cause local residents, but vowed to have the bridge operational by mid-June or early July.
This is all an April Fool’s joke.
While this article fooled with the facts, the news about the Fremocentrist.com History page, and the partnership between the Seattle Public Library and Fremocentrist.com to promote the ‘Neighborhood History Project’ (as detailed on the Fremocentrist.com Home page today,) are not.
Thank you to Millie Klassert-Marzec for providing, and permitting, this reprint of a ‘real’ piece from ‘The Fremont Forum’. Learn more about Klassert-Marzec’s history in Fremont from a column about her on Fremocentrist.com from October 5, 2012.
December 27, 2012
Fremont Library To Be Open Sundays In 2013
The Fremont Branch of the Seattle Public Library system will be open Sundays, starting Jan. 6, 2013 Photo by K. Lindsay, Aug '09
For the first time in decades, perhaps ever, the Fremont Branch of the Seattle Public Library will be open on Sundays in 2013, starting January 6th. For the first time in at least a century, all locations of the Seattle Public Library System (SPL) will be open Sundays from 1p – 5p, thanks to funding from a levy approved by voters in August 2012.
“At community meetings and through patron surveys, we heard that Sunday hours were important,” City Librarian Marcellus Turner said. “Particularly for families, working people and students, having Library service available in every neighborhood on Sunday will be a huge benefit.”
To promote the expanded hours, between January 6th and May 5th each branch of the SPL will host a special celebration featuring a children’s craft activity, refreshments, and an opportunity to participate in the Check-Out Sundays Challenge. The Fremont Branch celebration will take place on February 10th, from 2p – 3:30p.
The Check-Out Challenge card comes in a keepsake sleeve and can be picked-up at any SPL branch. Visit any SPL branch on a Sunday to get a stamp on the card, between Jan 6th & May 5th, and request a commemorative sticker as well. Collect 15 stamps on a card, and enter into a prize drawing to take place in May 2013 for a ‘Booklovers Basket’ or lunch with City Librarian Turner.
Also in January 2013, find five new SPL membership card designs. Four of the cards feature photos of iconic Seattle sites: Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, Mount Rainier, and the Central Library. Another special card, for children, has also been designed. SPL will also continue to carry its ‘classic’ card design, with the official library logo. Patrons can replace their current card for a new design in 2013 without charge.
For more information on any SPL programs, services, or branch hours, call 206/386-4636 or visit the website.
December 15, 2012
Three Historic Ships Land At History House
The 14' model of the HMS Discovery is one of three historic ship models on display now at History House. Photo by K. Lindsay, Dec '12
This week models of three iconic Northwest ships landed in Fremont at History House of Greater Seattle. The HMS Discovery, the SS Beaver and the Schooner Exact arrived at the museum of neighborhood history for a limited engagement.
The large, meticulously crafted models representing Pacific Northwest maritime icons were created by the Discovery Modelers Education Center of Seattle.
The HMS Discovery model measures 14 feet long, and represents the ship captained by George Vancouver on his naming exploration of the Puget Sound in 1791.
The 10’ long model of the Schooner Exact recreates the ship that carried the first shipload of settlers to Elliott Bay, on November 13, 1851. The Denny Party founded the settlement of ‘New York Alki’ after sailing to this area on the Exact.
The Hudson Bay Company’s Side-wheel Steamer – the SS Beaver – started her maiden voyage on the Columbia River. This careful recreation of the 100 foot, 187 ton, brigantine rigged ship measures 12 feet long. It once protected an agricultural settlement at Fort Nisqually on the upper Puget Sound, but now stands sentry in the lobby of History House.
Stop by and see the models, the ‘Fremont: Timber to Troll’ display, and the life-sized recreation of the set of The J.P. Patches Show. The museum is open Thursday – Sunday from Noon – 5p. Entry is free, although donations are gratefully accepted.
This is a great activity for the Holiday Break, or any time you need to get out of the rain, muck and/or cold!
