Memories of Wallingford

Carolyn Bishop sent in this remembrance of Wallingford past:

I don’t know if there are any older residents in the Wallingford area who remember living in the area during the 1940’s. If so, I have so many memories of living there and also questions about what happened to the area (stores, schools etc.) since those days.

I lived at 3829 Eastern Avenue and attended Latona Grade School, Alexander Hamilton and Lincoln. I recall specific stores and even the “paper shack” where I picked up the papers I delivered. It was on the corner of 40th and Eastern. How well I recall arriving at the “Paper shack” one day and the man who handed out the papers had tears rolling down his face. I asked him what was wrong and he said,” President Roosevelt has died.”

I recall the drug store on the corner of 40th and Wallingford – it was a must to stop there on the way home from school and visit the “soda fountain”. I also recall a meat market nearby and how important I felt when my mother gave me red ration coins to buy meat on the way home from school.

I could go on and on–it would be interesting to hear from someone who still lives in the area. Oh, and I have to mention Pete’s Ice Creamery on Wallingford across the street from Interlake school. It was the place to stop after school!

One more memory: The Singer grocery store on the corner of 39th and Sunnyside, right in the midst of residential homes and another grocery on Bagley between 39th and 40th. They were so convenient if one ran out of an item— The large weekly grocery shopping was done on 45th.

Enough! I could ramble on and on! I hope to be in contact with another “old timer” who may have similar memories.

Old-timers can contact Carolyn at [email protected]. Anyone else have a memory to share?

(Photos of: 1) B&B Grocery at the corner of 50th and Stone Way, 1960;  2) Corner of 35th and Fremont, 1961; 3) Wallingford Fire Station, now the Neighborcare Heatlh 45th St Clinic, 1914, all from the Seattle Municipal Archives Flickr set.)