KIRO was founded by Moritz Thomsen of the Pacific Biscuit Company and began broadcasting on April 27, 1927 as the 100-watt station KPCB 650. Over the years, the Seattle KIRO broadcast station moved several times. The first location was at Fourth and University; this photo shows the exterior of the fifth location, at 1530 Queen Avenue North. As of 2025, the KIRO station studios are located in the Belltown neighborhood, with a transmitting tower adjacent to the station’s original studios on Queen Anne Hill.
KIRO became known as the “friendly station” when its radio personalities broke from the formal style that was common in the early days of radio announcing. Famous KIRO news announcers included Chet Huntley, hired in 1934, and Edward R. Murrow, who came to prominence with a series of radio broadcasts during World War II. KIRO is currently owned by Atlanta-based Cox Media Group and affiliated with the ESPN Radio Network. KIRO is the official broadcast station for Seattle Seahawk football and Mariner baseball.
Stamp on verso: Exclusive Photo by Forde Photographers, Seattle, Wash.
Physical Description: 1 photographic print : b&w ; 8 x 10 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/xv02572
Credit: MOHAI, Collection on KIRO Radio, 2014.67.5
