In the winter of 1913, the Seattle-based hydraulic contracting firm Lewis, Wiley & Morse began work on a regrade, fill and seawall project along Alki Avenue in West Seattle. The construction continued through 1913 and was completed in the spring of 1914. The project involved a hydraulic hillside regrade near the intersection of Fairmount Avenue and Alki Avenue. A new seawall was constructed along Elliott Bay and a municipal water system pipeline installed along Alki Avenue. The existing wood plank roadbed was also widened during the 1913-1914 projects. Alki Avenue was eventually paved in 1923.
Between 1902 and 1917, three bridges were built to serve West Seattle, though none of these were permanent structures. This photo shows the western approach of one of the early wooden bridges near Spokane Street under construction. The new grade on Alki Avenue (now Harbor Avenue SW) can be seen here, with the bank to the right showing the original level.
Caption on photo: Lewis. Wiley & Morse, Inc. Alki Ave. regrade. Looking S.E. from eastern edge of new grade. 25 yards north of Manning St. Showing space between bank and unfinished bridge. #81. September 24, 1913. Photographer's number: 28278
Physical Description: 1 photographic print : b&w ; 7.5 x 9.5 in.
Additional Information: Digital copy of this item available thanks to funding from a 2016 Institute for Museum and Library Services grant. Metadata updated as part of a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Library Services and Technology Act, through the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State. View the finding aid for this collection at https://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:80444/xv70913
Credit: MOHAI, Lewis, Wiley and Morse Inc. Alki Avenue Regrade Photograph Album, 2010.3.32.79
