Seattle's Waterway to the World

Seattle historians Paul Dorpat, Jennifer Ott, David Williams and others tell the fascinating story of the building of the Hiram Chittenden Locks & Lake Washington Ship Canal, to commemorate their centennial.

[PaulRodvik-jykr]

What are great piece to add to the memories we all hold near and dear from our Seattle days.

[peeonu]

We also named an Island after Mercer... Nearly every dollar I've made in my life has been on that canal. It's interesting that so much of our world was imagined by so few. It's a shame our world has become so small. Rigging as a Boilermaker for a decade at Foss, I really appreciate the history you're sharing, You're showing the world what the PNW's is all about.

[rcrinsea]

Glad to see the documentary did not shy away from the vicious racism Asian people experienced from the whites. It is something too few people know about. It should be required learning in schools.

[kRis-rnso]

Thank you for making this epic video. Through your eyes, I see history... what a gift.

[strongdelusion]

My Dad and I used to go down to the H. C. Locks on Saturday to watch all the yachts go through into Shilshole bay, that was along time ago, 1965!

[АлександрВасильков-зо]

I was here in 1995, when worked on american crab boat JUNO ...It was a very doog time ! i was 25 old ...I very like this visit ...Best city in a best country Salute from Russia ..

[nickefgen]

The Preston boat is in Anacortes now it’s great to see the history of Seattle and how the locks where built, great video thank you for posting it

[clayz]

34:12 This picture shows (in the distance) the Bascule railroad bridge located at what is now Nickerson Marina. This bridge was dismantled in late 70s or early 80s. It was no longer used by the Ballard RR or CP RR. It was always in the up position. When the government got wind of people climbing it just for kicks, it was taken down. I am one of the three guys that climbed it, and I did so twice. -clayton derooy, seattle wa.

[dbrooks]

Outstanding documentary. Born in Ballard and raised in various areas of Seattle. My daddy LOVED taking us kids to these places. Was great to hear how they came to be. Still love and appreciate the history of Beautiful Seattle

[Lisa]

My mommy's middle name is Gould for during the depression here, he helped to feed the family. He "adopted" her so to speak. My mama is now 92. Thank you 🥰

[hkl]

The Native history in this documentary is brief. Would have liked to hear more of that history.

[redbarnz]

Thank you! I grew up in Seattle and had no idea of the incredible history of the Locks and the Ship Canal. You made this presentation fun, informative and enjoyable!

[SJR_Media_Group]

Thank you for this excellent video. I even learned a few things I didn't know or forgot. I was also cross referencing your maps, plans, and photos with a map of Seattle. I must have heard the history of lowering Lake Washington, Montlake Cut, Fremont Cut, Locks, etc. many times over the years. This video showed it in such a way that non-Architects and Engineers can easily understand.

As a graduate of the Department of Landscape Architecture at University of Washington, we had field trips to the Locks and Gardens. Some of the plant species are from different climates than Seattle, yet do well in the protected areas. Gould, the Architect of Locks and Structures has his name on the UW Building 'Gould Hall' where Architects and Planners come for a world class education as I did in the 70's. I used to take guests to the Locks and Gardens when they visited me. I haven't been there in years, moved over the mountains to Yakima. I do plan on visiting at least once more. Thank you again.

[harperwelch]

What wonderful information and stories are told here. Thanks so much for posting and sharing our history.

[westfork]

I grew up within a few blocks of the Chittenden Locks, caught my first fish (flounder of all things) @age 4 there. Back in the 1960s they taught Seattle history in all elementary grades.

[elizabethlarsen]

if ur a Seattle hx buff, this documentary is well worth watching. in Nov 2019, the locks were closed for maintenance for a short period of

[patmcchesney]

Glad to see the mention of the narrow guage RR

[robertbrouillette]

I lived in Seattle for 25 years, been through these locks, and the Panama Canal a gazillion times. And being originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana on the Mississippi River, I invite everyone to visit the Army Corps of Engineers at Vicksburg, Mississippi to see the model of the Mississippi River. And visit the old Louisiana State Capitol building which Mark Twain called “The sham castle.”

[funtucsonman]

Very good historical doc. I want to learn more about Seattle. In another video I found out about Seattle's underground city.

[mikewilkinson]

Seattle is a blue collar Ballard locks provide endless hours of observational entertainment ....like when they brought the pieces of the 520 bridge grew up here and miss the Seattle before the tech boom and the greedhead developers priced the working class