Here are some interesting photographs of Kirkland 50 - 100 years ago. Click on the thumbnail to see a larger (much larger!) image, then use your back button to return to this page.
Waiting for the ferry in Kirkland. Click on the photo to enlarge. The boat is probably the "Washington of Kirkland", which ran the route to Seattle's Madison Park from 1908-1913, when the "Leschi" and later the "Lincoln" took over. Ferry service was discontinued in 1950. (UW Library Special Collections)
View down Kirkland Avenue looking west. The Burke and Farrar land office at the foot of the ferry dock can be seen at the end of the street. It's the election year of 1912 and the banners are for Bob Hodge ("the man who will make good") for Governor and a man named Parish, a Republican running for Assessor. Bob was the Progressive Party candidate that year and lost to Democrat Ernest Lister, who went on to be Washington's governor from 1913-1917. (UW Library Special Collections)
Along the waterfront in Kirkland sometime before the lake was lowered in 1917. Notice Lake Street is built up on pilings and is right at the water's edge. If anyone knows exactly where this is, email me. (UW Library Special Collections)
Aerial view of the lakefront taken in 1948. Tenth and Seventh Avenues South can be seen coming down to the lake in the foreground. Things have changed in the past 50 years!! (Kirkland Heritage Society)
I love this photo!! Make sure you click to enlarge! The ferry Leschi in action, probably around 1914 (someone correct me, if I'm wrong). The sidewheels can be seen churning water. (Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society)
Here is the Leschi about 40 years later at the Kirkland Ferry dock (now the site of the Marina Park dock). Note that it is no longer a sidewheeler and a few other changes have been made. The Silver Swan, a passenger only boat, is tied to a small dock next to the Leschi. (Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society)
An aerial view of Lake Street, the Ferry Dock, the old Central School, Kirkland High School, and Junior High. Probably around 1946. A float plane is visible beached behind the dock. You could do anything in this town!! (Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society)