Magnolia: Midcentury Memories is an award-winning local history book about the Seattle. WA neighborhood of Magnolia earning the nomination for the Associated King County Historical Organization's (AKCHO) Long-Term Project Award. It is the third book in a series of three. This beautifully designed black and white book presents a unique chorus of over 60 Magnolia neighborhood voices including first-person narratives of life there and academically researched history by residents including childhood memories, memoirs and major historical developments on Magnolia’s Bluff in the 1950’s and 60’s.
Also available for purchase on Kindle and at Magnolia's Bookstore.
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The 50’s and 60’s decades were diverse, intense and iconic! From the Leave it to Beaver years after WWII, television taking hold, the “British Invasion” of music, to the first Catholic President of the United States being the first President assassinated in modern history. The subsequent assassinations, a World’s Fair, civil rights, the Vietnam War, walking on the moon, the “Summer of Love”, Detroit burning, and “Woodstock”. These decades brought medical advances, vaccinations in schools which defeated polio, fallout shelters and “duck and cover” drills because of the Cold War, paper drives, the best penny candy, good soldiers, draft dodgers, long hair and flower power!
On Magnolia, we watched JP Patches (Chris Wedes lived here), listened to Tom Thumb and the Casuals (Tom Blessing started the band in his Magnolia home), attended Elvis at the World’s Fair at the Magnolia Theater and Magnolia women gardened proudly all over the Bluff in clubs that competed to keep Magnolia blooming beautifully. The new Magnolia Library won design awards, eight churches were built and Blaine and Briarcliff Schools were added to handle the baby boomers.
Over 40 folks are working together to bring you the words and images of these Magnolia times. The Army BRATS (Born Raised And Trained) gather back in Seattle to write their Magnolia story. A Magnolian architect explains the new Modern architecture of this era and we will hear the many memoirs and mini-memories about growing up in Magnolia in the 50’s and 60’s.
What they’re saying about Magnolia: Midcentury Memories:
"Magnolia: Midcentury Memories had me repeating as I read - first with a whisper - the book pusher’s bromide, 'I can highly recommend.' And, ’tis true. With strong voice, I recommend you read these memories, the third offering by Magnolia’s residents. This volume is distinguished by the intimacy of the subjects covered and histories well told. Other neighborhoods might follow Magnolia and let Seattle read living histories by essayist citizens…but, back to this - and I repeat: I can highly recommend!
Paul Dorpat, Seattle historian
"Here is a perfect window to see a dynamic Seattle community embracing traditions, challenged by the times and emerging aspirations. Authentic tales of growing up in an 'idyllic' 1950s, the stories set the stage for an era of transition for Americans, and for Magnolians. Parents represent the values of the 'Greatest Generation.' Children explore boundaries of authority as the 'Me Generation.' Perspectives and expectations play out in churches, schools, parks, living rooms, and backyards of the authors. Told lovingly by those who were compatriots on the bluff, the stories range from friends biking, swimming, or movie-going at the long-gone Magnolia Theater to the experiences of Army BRATs at Fort Lawton and the challenges endured by young soldiers shipped off to Vietnam. What isn’t in prose is in wonderful black-and-white photographs depicting the places, faces, and spirit of Magnolia at midcentury."
Larry Phillips, past King County Council member
"Magnolia: Midcentury Memories perfectly captures through delightful first-person narratives, history, and anecdotes the transformation of a sleepy, somewhat rural community into a post-World War II baby-boom neighborhood of Seattle. The residents of Magnolia, like all Americans, genuinely lived the 'American Experience' - the rise of shopping malls, the upheavals of the civil rights movement, the popularity of rock and roll music, and so much more. The stories shared are the stories of Magnolia, of Seattle; but more importantly, they are the stories of America.
Kip M. Roberson, Regional Manager, Seattle Public Library