During World War II, thousands of service men and women served in or passed through Seattle. A number of recreation and temporary stay facilities provided entertainment and services for military personnel visiting the city, such as the large USO facility in the remodeled Rialto Building, opened in 1943. The first facilities specifically for military women opened in 1945: a female officers club on First Hill opened in January of that year, and the Seattle Service Women's Club, for enlisted women, opened at 214 University Avenue in early April. This facility was housed in a remodeled 1914 Tudor-style building, originally the Northold Inn, and later Town House card and lunch room. The center welcomed "enlisted Wacs, Waves, Spars and Women Marines," with two floors of dormitories, and a lounge and snack bar on the main floor. The building was demolished in the late 1980s, and Benaroya Hall was built on the site in 1998.

This photographic postcard shows the Seattle Service Women's Club on University Avenue in 1946, and was mailed by WAVE Laura Burnham to her mother in Vermont with the note: "Hi Mom- This is that wonderful Service Women's Center I've told you so much about. Isn't it nice? Love, Laura."

Photographic postcard is addressed to Mrs. Lisle E. Burnham in Brattleboro Vermont, with return address "Laura Burnham PhM 3/C , Waves Bks A, Pier 91, Seattle 99 WA"

Caption information source: "Waning Days of One Woman's War," by Rob Ketcherside, blogpost at http://ba-kground.com/waning-days-of-one-womans-war