The team here at My Ballard realized that we hadn’t dedicated a Throwback Thursday post to one of the most popular neighborhood spots, so we thought today would be the perfect time to take a look back at the early years of the Ballard Locks.
The black and white photo below, taken in 1913, shows the area where construction began for the Ballard Locks. Ground was broken for the Locks in 1911, and the first concrete was poured for the lock chambers in 1913.
The black and white photo below, taken in 1915, shows the Ballard Locks during the initial stage of construction. For many years there was no easy or cheap way to move logs, coal and other necessary resources from the east side of Lake Washington to Elliot Bay.
Many plans were made but none were successful until the Lake Washington Ship Canal was built between 1911 through 1917.
The black and white photo below, taken in 1916, shows the Ballard Locks a year later as construction continued.
The black and white photo below, taken in 1918, features the yacht Carrie as it passes through the Locks after construction was complete.
Photos and information courtesy of MOHAI.
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