The Montlake Dump (known variously as the Ravenna Dump, University Dump, Union Bay Dump, and the Montlake Landfill) was used as a garbage dump by the city of Seattle for over 40 years, until it closed in 1966. Photographer Josef Scaylea capture this view of one of the sanitation workers surrounded by seagulls in 1955.

Scaylea (1913-2004) worked for 35 years as chief photographer for the Seattle Times, winning over 1000 awards for his photographs highlighting the scenery and people in the Pacific Northwest. He donated a collection of his photographs and photography equipment to MOHAI in 1993.

Handwritten on image: Josef Scaylea.
Handwritten on verso: News. 1955. City Dump at Union Bay. Now if the University of Washington Atheletic [sic] Field (Tennis Courts, Soccer, Softball, Baseball). For most of the 1950's this area was a source of extreme irritation to residents of Laurelhurst.

Caption information source: "Union Bay Natural Area (Seattle)" by John Caldbick, HistoryLink.org Essay 10182