People of the Ship Canal: Carl Signor’s Grocery Store

Posted on January 16, 2017 by Wedgwood in Seattle History

Before the present-day ship canal at the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle, there was a smaller, hand-dug channel.  It had been used for sending logs to mill, and small boats could travel in the canal.  Prior to the completion of the Lake Washington Ship Canal in 1917, no neighborhood-boundary distinction was made as to the south side of the canal at Fremont, so the address of Carl Signor’s Grocery and Feed Store was listed as in Fremont.

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People of the Ship Canal: Remsberg & Dixon, Fremont Businessmen

Posted on January 9, 2017 by Wedgwood in Seattle History

The news of Seattle’s Great Fire of June 6, 1889, was carried by newspapers all over the USA.  The story of the pioneer City of Seattle which heroically resolved to rise from the ashes and rebuild after the Fire, attracted opportunity-seekers in business, real estate investment and many other fields.  One of the newcomers in Seattle immediately after the Fire was Charles E. Remsberg, age 26, of Indiana.

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People of the Ship Canal: A.J. Goddard, Businessman and Legislator

Posted on January 3, 2017 by Wedgwood in Seattle History

The Fremont neighborhood of Seattle began in 1888 as a named, planned real estate development.  With its advantageous location at the northwest corner of Lake Union, Fremont grew rapidly.  In addition to its location with access to natural resources like water, Fremont’s vitality can be attributed to its dynamic and enterprising early residents.

In 1894 Ross and Fremont were shown as place names with railroad stops. The ship canal had not yet been built but there was a creek called The Outlet from Lake Union, flowing westward.

In 1894 Ross and Fremont were shown as place names with railroad stops. The ship canal had not yet been built but there was a creek called The Outlet from Lake Union, flowing westward.  McKee’s map (see source list)

From earliest days, Fremont residents accessed the resource of water flowing westward out of Lake Union toward Puget Sound.  One of the first Seattle settlers to see the advantages of the location was John Ross who had a homestead claim on the small creek.

The Outlet, or Ross Creek, as it became known, was gradually enlarged over the years to allow logs to be floated toward sawmills in Fremont and Ballard, and then out to Puget Sound where products could be loaded onto ships.

Fremont’s early residents continually advocated for a larger canal in place of the creek, though it took many years to see the plans finally go ahead.  First a Port District was established by the Washington State Legislature in 1911, and then construction of the ship canal could begin, along with other waterways projects.

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Making the Cut: Centennial of Seattle’s Ship Canal

Posted on January 1, 2017 by Wedgwood in Seattle History

On the Lake Washington Ship Canal, the Locks (at Ballard) prevent fresh and salt water from mixing.

Seattle’s Ship Canal crosses the city like a waistline, joining the freshwater Lake Washington to the waters of Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean beyond.

The building of the Ship Canal in 1911-1917 was one of the biggest events in the history and development of Seattle, creating economic opportunities and advantages for maritime and for industries of all kinds.

The 2016-2017 centennial year of the Lake Washington Ship Canal and the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (Ballard Locks) is being celebrated with a wonderful series of events and historic research projects.

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Seattle Blogs in 2016

Posted on December 30, 2016 by Wedgwood in Seattle History

Throughout the year 2016 I have enjoyed reading Seattle bloggers’ perspectives of life in the city as portrayed through photos, sketches and writings.

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Home for the Holidays

Posted on December 19, 2016 by Wedgwood in Seattle History

This gallery contains 4 photos.

This house is a distinctive Craftsman Bungalow constructed by Jud Yoho, with many of its original elements, such as wood windows with diamond panes and the original front door. Located at 617 N 47th Street in Fremont, the house was … Continue reading →

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Fun Free First Thursday

Posted on November 25, 2016 by Wedgwood in Seattle History

Some Seattle museums offer free admission on the first Thursday of every month.  On the Free First Thursday of December 1, 2016, a trip to museums in downtown Seattle offers the additional delight of viewing holiday-season decorations in nearby hotels and stores.

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Growler Guys Opens Today

Posted on November 19, 2016 by Wedgwood in Seattle History

Saturday, November 19, 2016 at 5 PM is the long-awaited opening of the Growler Guys at 8500 Lake City Way NE.  In the 1930s this site on Wedgwood’s western edge was part of a cluster of road houses along the highway.  From 1970 to 2016 it was Ying’s Drive-In which closed because the owners retired.

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The History of Wedgwood’s Neighborhood Pubs

Posted on November 1, 2016 by Wedgwood in Seattle History

Wedgwood Ale House at 8515 35th Ave NE

Until recent changes, the Wedgwood neighborhood’s two original taverns, the Wedgwood Ale House and the Fiddler’s Inn, anchored the business intersections of NE 85th and 95th Streets along the main arterial of 35th Avenue NE.

In 2023 the Wedgwood Ale House property at 8515 35th Ave NE, was sold.  The new owner of the building would not renew the lease for the Ale House business.  The Ale House closed on December 28, 2023.

The new Wedgwood Public House opened on November 2, 2024, in the former Wedgwood Ale House building.

Despite the closure of the Wedgwood Ale House, I have kept other info in this blog article the same as it is meant to outline the history of taverns in Wedgwood, beginning with their founding days in the 1930s.

On November 2, 2024, the new Wedgwood Public House opened in the former Ale House building.

The story of the founding of each of the original taverns in the 1930s (the original tavern at 8515 35th Ave NE and the Fiddler’s Inn at 9219 35th Ave NE) reflects the growth and development of the Wedgwood neighborhood.

Today, the word “pub” is often used to indicate the expansion of the menu with meals as well as drinks, and activity programs of music, watching sports on TV, or special events such as a trivia contest.

Copyright notice:  The text and photos on this article are protected under a Creative Commons Copyright.  Do not copy without permission.

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Traditional Halloween Trick-or-Treat in Wedgwood

Posted on October 28, 2016 by Wedgwood in Seattle History

The Wedgwood neighborhood teems with young families.  At Halloween 2016 kids were out in costumed festivity for the traditional trick-or-treat in Wedgwood’s business district along 35th Ave NE.

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