The Smith Tower recently passed its 100 year mark and I thought it would be a good time to publish tthe following photos I took in 1997 with a 35mm film camera and lots of darkroom time. I typically took the photos early Sunday mornings with permission from the building's managment and with assistance from the security guard / doorman at the time to access the vacant spaces.
The photos were part of an architectural photography class during the Summer of 1997 at the University of Washington. The class was taught by John Stamets, who recently passed away and was one of the great architectural photographers in the Seattle Area of both new and historic architecture. He had a knack for being in the right place at the right time when structures collapsed. In addition he always welcomed former students back to the darkroom in the University of Washington's School of Architecture
Gated entry to the nearby Metro bus ( now rail) tunnel
View from approximately Yesler and Fourth Avenue
View looking up at the tower's lightcourt from the alley between Second and Third Avenues.
Image showing the concrete fire protection over the steel framing, and catwalk in the pinnacle above the observation deck. Currently the space has been converted to an apartment.
Onyx lined stairway from the first to the second floor
Exterior Observation Deck
Space uderneath glass prisms embedded in the sidewalk. This view was captured using available light.
