May 10, 2012 - May 16, 2012

Rocket Men

Fifty years ago this week, on May 10, 1962, astronaut John Glenn paid a visit to the Seattle Century 21 Exposition -- America's Space Age World's Fair. Glenn had recently become the first American to orbit the earth, and he received a hero's welcome -- not unlike the one given to aviator Charles Lindbergh 35 years before. Crowds followed him everywhere, hoping to snap a photo, get an autograph, or shake his hand.

The American hero wasn't the first spaceman to captivate fairgoers. Four days earlier, Russian cosmonaut Gherman Titov -- second only to Yuri Gagarin in achieving earth orbit -- toured the fairgrounds and its exhibits. The press found him charming and polite -- up until he casually professed his atheism, stating that he saw neither angels nor god during his sojourn into space. This confession shocked many, and in the eyes of those who feared our Cold War counterparts, Titov was looked upon as just another godless commie, regardless of his achievements.

Glenn, on the other hand, received nothing but accolades and adulation during his visit. Fairgoers showered more attention on him than they did on Vice-President Lyndon Johnson -- fresh off his dedication of Eastern Washington's Ice Harbor Dam -- or on New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller, who was at the fair to take part in New York State Day celebrations. Most people barely noticed some of the NASA test pilots who accompanied Glenn, one of whom would skyrocket to fame at the end of the decade.

During his NASA press conference, Glenn was asked about Titov's comments and was pressed about his own religious beliefs. He responded "The God I pray to is not small enough that I expect to see him in outer space," which was well-received. But while one controversy at the fair was quelled, another one was brewing elsewhere on the fairgrounds … in a galaxy far, far, away.

Rockin' Then

Forty years ago this week, on May 14, 1972, rock 'n' roll fans gathered at Seattle's Paramount Theatre for the first-ever Northwest rock 'n' roll reunion concert, featuring performances by such local luminaries as the Wailers, the Sonics, and the Dave Lewis Trio. Many in the audience had a chance to reflect upon how much the "Northwest Sound" had changed over the past decade, let alone rock music in general.

Fifteen years later, on May 16, 1987, the Paramount was host to a new music scene when the Spring Rapfest featured up-and-coming local rapper Sir Mix-A-Lot as the opening act for some of the nation's premier hip-hop stars. This event garnered plenty of attention, but not the good kind. A mini-riot broke out after the show, which then got hyped up on the TV news. The negative publicity didn't help hip-hop's reputation in mainstream circles, but in recent years Seattle hip-hop has enjoyed a renaissance.

Back When, Here Again

Sailing Around: On May 11, 1792, Captain Robert Gray became the first non-Indian navigator to enter the Columbia River. Nearly 50 years later, on May 11, 1841, an American survey party led by Charles Wilkes began charting south Puget Sound at watery coordinates they aptly named Commencement Bay.

New in Town: On May 16, 1864, a ship carrying 11 young women arrived in Seattle from New England under the escort of Asa Shinn Mercer. This first of two contingents of Mercer Girls had an instant impact on Seattle's mostly male frontier culture and included the town's first public school teacher. It would later inspire the TV series Here Come the Brides.

Off Track: Seattle's first streetcar accident occurred on May 12, 1889, less than two months after the electric trolley line went into service. The streetcar came loose and hurtled down Denny Hill, throwing a passenger to her death. The steep hill was later regraded out of existence.

Deep Black: Roslyn was founded in 1886 after prospectors from the Northern Pacific railroad found rich seams of coal nearby. But mining the coal came with a price. On May 10, 1892, in the worst coalmine disaster in Washington history, 45 men lost their lives in an explosion and fire.

In the Station: The May 10, 1906, the opening of King Street Station gave Seattleites a rail depot they could finally be proud of. Designed by the architects who built New York's Grand Central Station and paid for by the Northern Pacific Railroad, the new brick building was a far cry from the wooden depots used up until that time. The opening of Union Station five years later added more elegance for rail travelers.

Relaxation: One hundred years ago this week, on May 15, 1912, near the Olympic Mountains, the first visitors to the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort enjoyed soothing warm waters in a sylvan setting. And on May 12, 1915, urban outdoors enthusiasts set their sights on a more citified spot when the Jefferson Park Municipal Golf Course opened in Seattle.

Running Wild: On May 15, 1922, Sedro Woolley residents were stunned to find an elephant rampaging through their community. On tour with a traveling circus, Tusko the elephant had gotten loose, causing all sorts of mayhem before his capture. But lest you think that pachyderms are an unusual sight in the Pacific Northwest, they were not in ages past, as evidenced by an Ice Age mammoth tusk discovered at Moxee on May 10, 2001.

Standing Firm: On May 14, 1940, an 85-foot story pole was officially dedicated on the Washington State Capitol grounds. Created by Tulalip cultural leader William Shelton, the pole symbolizes ongoing peace between our region's Native Americans and non-Native Americans.

Speaking Out: On May 16, 1942, Gordon Hirabayashi, a University of Washington senior, Quaker, and conscientious objector, challenged the exclusion order that forced the evacuation of Japanese Americans on the U.S. West Coast into internment camps. His bid was unsuccessful, and it wasn't until the 1980s that he received judicial vindication. Last month, Hirabayashi was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Holding Back: Fifty years ago this week, on May 15, 1962, South King County residents celebrated the opening of the Howard A. Hanson Dam, above the White River Valley. Construction began on the project in 1959, and although its progress was interrupted by a major flood, the dam's opening led to greater development in a once-soggy Kent.

Quote of the Week

I'm the urban space man, baby, I've got speed
I've got everything I need

-- "I'm the Urban Spaceman," lyrics by Neil Innes

Image of the Week

Aberdeen incorporated on May 12, 1890.