History In Motion: Seattle's Past on Film

History in Motion: Denny Regrade
History in Motion: Denny Regrade
8/6/200716:25
This 1930 silent film starts inexplicably with a few tantalizing seconds of a downtown Seattle street at night, in all its Untouchables-esque glory, with tawdry flashing neon and a blurry parade of passing headlights. Then, it settles into 15 minutes of the massive earthmoving that was the last of the regrades that leveled hills deemed endangering to growth by city leaders. Steam shovels, conveyor belts and tipping barges are seen in the foreground, with Seattle of 75+ years ago providing a riveting backdrop. Courtesy of the Seattle Municipal Archives.
4030723

History

Explore all History videos
Art Zone: Wing Luke Museum showcases the art & resilience of Japanese American painters
Art Zone: Wing Luke Museum showcases the art & resilience of Japanese American painters
City Hall Park prayer paddles honor Coast Salish people
City Hall Park prayer paddles honor Coast Salish people
Tales from some of Seattle's oldest crypts
Tales from some of Seattle's oldest crypts
Favorite Archival Object: Back taxes & backstories: Seattle's 1877 delinquent property owners
Favorite Archival Object: Back taxes & backstories: Seattle's 1877 delinquent property owners
CityStream: Seattle–Tacoma International Airport Marks 75 Years of Service
CityStream: Seattle–Tacoma International Airport Marks 75 Years of Service
CityStream: Celebrating Aviation, Education, and Capoeira
CityStream: Celebrating Aviation, Education, and Capoeira
60 Years of Civil Rights: Civil Rights and Culture Shift
60 Years of Civil Rights: Civil Rights and Culture Shift
Looking Back on Race & Social Justice in the City of Seattle
Looking Back on Race & Social Justice in the City of Seattle
Half a century of pride: Seattle Gay News celebrates milestone
Half a century of pride: Seattle Gay News celebrates milestone
Favorite Archival Object: "The International District After Dawn" documentary, 1984
Favorite Archival Object: "The International District After Dawn" documentary, 1984
Conor Byrne: Ballard Avenue's historic pub transforms into a community cooperative
Conor Byrne: Ballard Avenue's historic pub transforms into a community cooperative
'A Will to Serve' by Jim Ellis
'A Will to Serve' by Jim Ellis
Favorite Archival Object: Save the Showbox Posters & Flyers, 2018
Favorite Archival Object: Save the Showbox Posters & Flyers, 2018
Homes for Some: Seattle's History of Housing and Racial Exclusion
Homes for Some: Seattle's History of Housing and Racial Exclusion
Russian-American Encounters in Seattle
Russian-American Encounters in Seattle
Mediterranean Imprints and Erasures in Seattle
Mediterranean Imprints and Erasures in Seattle
Shawn Wong's quest to uplift Asian American writers
Shawn Wong's quest to uplift Asian American writers
Navigating healthcare for the Marshallese community
Navigating healthcare for the Marshallese community
Wing Luke's legacy lives on in the Chinatown International District
Wing Luke's legacy lives on in the Chinatown International District
City and Citizens: Seattleites and Their Rights
City and Citizens: Seattleites and Their Rights
Constellations of Kin: Strategies of Belonging for the Snohomish Indian Nation
Constellations of Kin: Strategies of Belonging for the Snohomish Indian Nation
Favorite Archival Object: "Cutlet Curfew"
Favorite Archival Object: "Cutlet Curfew"
State of Africatown 2024
State of Africatown 2024
Shaun Scott presents "Heartbreak City"
Shaun Scott presents "Heartbreak City"
CityStream: UW women's rowing, paragliding at Poo Poo Point & more
CityStream: UW women's rowing, paragliding at Poo Poo Point & more

Community

Explore all Community videos
City Hall Park prayer paddles honor Coast Salish people
City Hall Park prayer paddles honor Coast Salish people
CityStream: Aquarium executive shares details of the Ocean Pavilion
CityStream: Aquarium executive shares details of the Ocean Pavilion
CityStream: Cooper’s hawks move from the country to the city
CityStream: Cooper’s hawks move from the country to the city
CityStream: Seattle’s drinking water: pure from the start
CityStream: Seattle’s drinking water: pure from the start
CityStream: Seattle’s Pure H2O & Reticent Raptors
CityStream: Seattle’s Pure H2O & Reticent Raptors
Look, Listen & Learn: Talk It Out
Look, Listen & Learn: Talk It Out
Mayor Harrell signs resolution opposing ballot Initiative 2117
Mayor Harrell signs resolution opposing ballot Initiative 2117
Mayor signs law aimed at giving boost to Seattle's live music scene
Mayor signs law aimed at giving boost to Seattle's live music scene
Tales from some of Seattle's oldest crypts
Tales from some of Seattle's oldest crypts
CityStream: Gen Z voter shares excitement—and pressure—of voting for first time
CityStream: Gen Z voter shares excitement—and pressure—of voting for first time
CityStream: Ballard pub puts women’s sports front & center
CityStream: Ballard pub puts women’s sports front & center
CityStream: BMX racing for all ages
CityStream: BMX racing for all ages
CityStream: Mental health cycling, Gen-Z voters & inclusivity on tap
CityStream: Mental health cycling, Gen-Z voters & inclusivity on tap
Local leaders celebrate Green Lake Library Branch reopening
Local leaders celebrate Green Lake Library Branch reopening
Seattle’s 114-Year-Old Green Lake Library Branch reopens
Seattle’s 114-Year-Old Green Lake Library Branch reopens
Community Stories: Grindline Skateparks
Community Stories: Grindline Skateparks
Mayor signs Design Review exemption legislation to encourage more downtown housing
Mayor signs Design Review exemption legislation to encourage more downtown housing
“WTH is Up with the Seattle School District?”
“WTH is Up with the Seattle School District?”
Gregg Colburn discusses "Homelessness is a Housing Problem"
Gregg Colburn discusses "Homelessness is a Housing Problem"
Seattle U Conversations: Debate on Washington's Climate Commitment Act
Seattle U Conversations: Debate on Washington's Climate Commitment Act
Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2024: Culture, history, and legacy
Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2024: Culture, history, and legacy
Mayor Harrell and others celebrate Marjorie restaurant reopening
Mayor Harrell and others celebrate Marjorie restaurant reopening
Mayor joins SFD's kick-off for firefighter & EMT positions
Mayor joins SFD's kick-off for firefighter & EMT positions
Mayor and Local Leaders Celebrate Groundbreaking of New RapidRide J Line
Mayor and Local Leaders Celebrate Groundbreaking of New RapidRide J Line
Mayor, local leaders & community celebrate opening of Seattle's Waterfront Overlook Park
Mayor, local leaders & community celebrate opening of Seattle's Waterfront Overlook Park