Seattle 1962 World’s Fair Structural Engineers

Posted on by Queen Anne Historical Society

In 2022, we observe the 60th anniversary of the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair/Century 21 Exposition, which opened April 21 on the grounds originally known as Potlatch Meadows and now home to Seattle Center.

On May 30, 2012, nine prominent Seattle structural engineers directly involved in the design of iconic buildings that remain today at Seattle Center — including the Space Needle, Pacific Science Center, the Coliseum (now Climate Pledge Arena), and the Monorail — assembled and offered observations on their work.


The Structural Engineers Foundation of Washington hosted the recording session, featuring Dick Chauner, Jack Christiansen, Gary Curtis, Victor Gray, Norm Jacobson, Tom Kane, Bob Mast, Fred Pneuman, and Einar Svensson.
The film also references some of the architects and contractors who played significant roles in the design and construction of the Fair.
Watch recording HERE
References:
*Century 21 World’s Fair Structural Engineering
*Queen Anne Community on the Hill  Chapter 13:  “In Our Time — 1950-1993”

Don Miles, Urban Designer

Posted on by Queen Anne Historical Society

A long-time Queen Anne resident, architect Don Miles (1942-2021) contributed to urban design projects on the hill and beyond.


Don Miles grew up on his family’s farm in Eastern Washington, then moved with his family to Olympia.  He earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree at the University of Washington in 1966, followed by a Master of Architecture and a Master of City Planning / Urban Design from Harvard University.  He married Pam Wait in 1972, and they moved to New York where he worked in urban design.

In 1976 Don returned to Seattle and opened Don Miles Associates in Pioneer Square.  He worked with Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership (ZGF) beginning in 1989, until his 2010 retirement.  His projects include master plans for developments in Seattle and throughout Washington.  His colleagues honored him as a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 1992, recognizing his contributions to the development of many successful urban design projects in Seattle and elsewhere throughout the US.

Don and Pam and  their family lived on Queen Anne beginning in 1976.  He served on the Queen Anne Community Council 1978-80, engaged in developing design guidelines for the neighborhood.

As a founding board member of Project for Public Spaces, he established an organization dedicated to making urban spaces attractive and accessible for pedestrians.  He also advanced these goals with Picture Perfect Queen Anne, a neighborhood organization revitalizing the streetscape of Queen Anne Avenue from Galer to McGraw; and he played a role in the founding of Seattle Children’s Museum at the Seattle Center Armory as a Board member 1978-82.

Susan Corzatte, Actress

Posted on by Queen Anne Historical Society
Susan Corzatte

On March 21, 1931 in Buffalo, New York, Lillian and Herbert Heinrich welcomed their daughter Susan into the world. The family spent Susan’s early years in East Aurora, a small village in western New York. Her mother performed occasionally on stage, and Susan took an early interest in the theater.

Susan began her collegiate education at the University of Rochester, but left when the school cancelled the production of “Pygmalion” with her playing Eliza Doolittle, because school rules did not allow a freshman to perform a lead role.  She then transferred to Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. When she graduated, she followed a professor’s advice and joined the apprentice program of the Cleveland Playhouse in Cleveland, Ohio. She identified herself in her performances as Susan Ludlow.
At Cleveland Playhouse in 1955 she met Clayton Corzatte (3/1927–4/2013), as they both appeared in “The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker.”  Susan and Clayton – AKA “Clay” — married in 1957, and soon moved to New York City.
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