Century 21 World's Fair - Digital Documents

Fair Preparations and Information

• World Fair Corporation Fact Sheet No.1: Why a World Fair? (January 17, 1958)


• Research Report for the Washington State World Fair Commission (April 1958)


• Exposition Policy Clarification by Century 21 Executive Committee (June 4, 1959)


• Seattle World's Fair Preview Booklet (1961)


• Board of Public Works memo outlining role in preparation for World's Fair (January 22, 1962)


• Economic Research Associates preliminary findings on 1962 World's Fair attendance and capacity (April 12, 1962)


• "Trip to the Fair Information Sheet" (undated)


• World's Fair attendance data (October 29, 1962)


• Preliminary Statement of Revenues, Expenses, and Income (December 15, 1962)


• Seattle Public Library aggregation of quotes concerning economic impact of Fair on Seattle (October, 1963)

Housing Shortage

  Housing Planning Efforts

• Housing Committee meeting minutes (January 5, 1959)


• Executive Committee meeting minutes, featuring Interim Century 21 Housing Committee Report recommendations (April 30, 1959)


• Press release detailing housing preparations for Fair (February, 1962)

• Letters and petition sent to Council protesting the raising of rental rates for Fair (January 30,1962), along with copy of notification of said increase in rent sent by owner (January 29,1962)


• Letter sent to Council expressing skepticism about eviction claims and suggesting a solution (February 6, 1962)


• Letters sent to Mayor Clinton protesting evictions due to Fair-related rental rate increases (April 11 & 14, 1962)

• Council ordinance #91018 and related correspondence authorizing the establishment and operation of mobile home 'Travel Trailers' for housing of Fair attendees (March 7, 1962)


• Council ordinance #91019 and related correspondence authorizing the use of marine vessels for temporary housing during the Fair (March 9, 1962)


• Council ordinance #91079, establishing Emergency Hotel Licensing Board for duration of Fair (April 17, 1962)


• Press release from Mayor's Office outlining the proposed Emergency Hotel Licensing Board, intended to alleviate housing shortage and rental rate increases (April 19, 1962)


• Memo to Mayor outlining work of Emergency Hotel Licensing Board as of May 3, 1962 (May 4, 1962)

Fair Images

• Preparation for the Fair
• Photo of Space Needle under construction (October 17, 1961)


• Photo of removal of last utility pole on fair grounds (February 23, 1962)


• Photo of underground wiring installation (March 8, 1962)

• Promotional Materials
• City Light ad about Electric Power Pavilion (undated)


• Fair map from promotional booklet A United States World Exposition at Seattle: nineteen sixty two (1959)


• Artist's rendering of private industrial exhibits from promotional booklet A United States World Exposition at Seattle: nineteen sixty two (1959)

• Photographs of the Fair
• Photo of Monorail Train at Downtown Station (March 29, 1962)


• Photo of Space Needle base and surrounding exhibits (undated)


• Photo of Space Needle and Flags (March 29, 1962)


• Photo of Street Scene at the Fair (April, 1962)


• Photo of some International Exhibits at the Fair (April, 1962)

• Travel Trailer Photos
• Interior photo of prototype Travel Trailer (1962)


• Artist's rendering of possible Travel Trailer park (1962)


• Artist's rendering of interior of prototype Travel Trailer (1962)