I learned in Urban Studies classes not to take our cities at face value. We perceive neighborhoods as units of community, but many were originally defined by real estate development boundaries. We perceive parks as landmarks and places we have an emotional connection to, but in many cases they are really incentives for people to spend money in a certain area.
Take Loyal Heights and Golden Gardens.
Loyal Heights was the land north of 75th St that was bought by Harry W. Treat and named for his daughter Loyal. (Seattle Parks and Rec) Golden Gardens park, named and developed by Treat, was the attraction at the end of the streetcar line, which was also owned by Treat, to "induce townfolk to take a "Sunday outing" out of town and through the woods to a picnic or swim at a beach. (Along the way they were made aware of the real estate available!)" (Seattle Parks and Rec)
The "Street Railway" map from my last post shows the streetcar turnaround at Loyal Way, 85th and 32nd, where there are now excessively wide streets and an otherwise inexplicable diagonal break from the grid.
"At the trolley terminus, on Sundays, Harry Treat, who was an avid horseman and driver, would transport visitors in his buggy to view the bluff-top home sites along 32nd Avenue W and below to a beach pleasure resort located at Loyal Beach (Golden Gardens) north of W 85th Street." (History Link)
This is very near the site of the original parking lot where Ballardittes were dropped off by Treat to enjoy the beach and consider relocating to the suburbs.
Take Loyal Heights and Golden Gardens.
Loyal Heights was the land north of 75th St that was bought by Harry W. Treat and named for his daughter Loyal. (Seattle Parks and Rec) Golden Gardens park, named and developed by Treat, was the attraction at the end of the streetcar line, which was also owned by Treat, to "induce townfolk to take a "Sunday outing" out of town and through the woods to a picnic or swim at a beach. (Along the way they were made aware of the real estate available!)" (Seattle Parks and Rec)
 |
| Diagonal Loyal Way was the end of the streetcar line that went up 28th Ave through Loyal Heights. It points directly at the entrance to the Golden Garden steps, the original entrance to the park. |
"At the trolley terminus, on Sundays, Harry Treat, who was an avid horseman and driver, would transport visitors in his buggy to view the bluff-top home sites along 32nd Avenue W and below to a beach pleasure resort located at Loyal Beach (Golden Gardens) north of W 85th Street." (History Link)
 |
| I suspect that these pavers and balustrades may date from the original 1907 Olmsteadian park design, but more detailed inquiry still needs to be conducted. |
Comments
Post a Comment