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In 1962 Seattle hosted the World's Fair. To prepare for the event, the Seattle Center The Space Needle was the central structure at the fair. It stands over The Monorail was also constructed for the World's Fair, to transport guests from the downtown area to the fairgrounds. It was to be the nations first full-scale commercial monorail system. In less than a year, the Alweg Rapid Transit System erected the mile long rail. Two rails were constructed of sixty-two concrete piers, for the monorail cars to ride upon. It can reach speeds up to fifty miles per hour, making it the fastest monorail in the country to date. During the World's Fair, more than eight million guests traveled on the monorail. Today, that number has dwindled down to two and a half million travelers a year, but it remains a vital member of the transportation system during sporting events and festivals. The Pacific Science Center began as the United States Science Pavilion The Washington Park Arboretum is a 200-acre outdoor museum of trees, | ||||||||||||
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Chief, Seattle, from whom the city would be named. The population grew slowly, but steadily, and the primary sources of revenue stemmed from coal mining and the lumber industry. Tragedy fell upon the city in 1989, when a fire quickly engulf a cabinetry shop, and spread through the city, claiming over thirty blocks. The disaster proved to be beneficial, when people seeking employment arrived, to help rebuild the city. The population continued to grow after the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in 1909, which highlighted many of the natural resources, products and temptations of Washington. Technology began to embrace the emerald city, as Boeing Airplane Company was founded before the turn of 1920. The city was now familiar with people across the county, but would become even more recognizable worldwide. The skyline rose along the shores, as the home of advancements in industry, with the arrival corporate headquarters, such as Microsoft operations, based in Seattle; the arts community with Jimi Hendrix, and later, the development of grunge music; and as an area of natural beauty and wonder with Mt. Rainer, Puget Sound and the rolling greenery between.
complex was erected. This area has become a central hub of the city, due largely to the many activities available there, including professional basketball (Supersonics and Reign), soccer (Sounders and Seadogs) and hockey (Thunderbirds) events, theatre, opera, ballet, an amusement park, museums, a skateboard park, exhibition halls and restaurants.
520 feet high and is visible from almost any area of the downtown area. The design of the Space Needle went through many revisions, to accommodate the desire to present an image that would reflect the image of the 21st century theme of the fair. Care was taken to design a structure that would withstand forces of the natural elements. It has withstood many earthquake tremors, including one in 1965 which ranked 6.5 on the Richter scale. Wind storms were another consideration and the architects designed the needle to stand up against gusts of up to 200 miles per hour. On a few occasions, the needle has been closed down as a precaution, when winds whipped around the structure in excess of 100 mph. Snow and ice have also caused closing of the needle on a limited number of occasions, due to its effect on the transportation 
mechanisms of the structure. The interior of the needle houses two revolving restaurants(one formal and one family style), a coffee bar and a lounge, in addition to an observation deck. In 1982, a banquet facility was added to the needle, about a hundred feet above street level.
for the World's Far. It was composed of six buildings surrounding a series of arches that rise over a hundred feet into the air over reflecting pools. The center has remained a popular stop for visitors to the Seattle area, who partake in the many exhibits it offers. A favorite for everyone is the Willard Smith Planetarium, which offers live shows and 
demonstrations. Permanent exhibits delve into the topics of dinosaurs, with a presentation of five robotic dinosaurs, that guests get to control; technology, through virtual basketball and hang gliding, robotics and interaction with computers; how the human body works is examined through a series of twenty five interactive displays; the study of water and it's strength, from powering a hydro-electric generator to lifting a two ton granite ball; and exploration of tide pools of Puget Sound, and the communities form within them. A science playground, and a kids zone display are directed mainly toward the younger crowd, yet the adults enjoy them also, learning about sound, animals, rockets, water and periscopes. The Pacific Science Center now extends out from the buildings that were originally established, through the loaning of traveling exhibits, covering whales, holograms, brain puzzles, music and mazes.
shrubs and vines. It was founded in 1936, as a joint venture of the University of Washington and the city of Seattle. James Dawson of Olmsted Brothers Landscaping, was hired to design the original layout of the Arboretum. Over five hundred workers toiled to create the Stone Cottage and magnificent Azalea Way, with remains a favorite of the the Arboretum today. Following the end of World War II, the majority of the collections were obtained. Of particular interest, was the design of the Winter Garden, which in from December through March, displays a fragrant array of floral plants amid colorful foliage and fruit. The aboretum has established extensive programs to further study the 4,600 species of plantlife on it's premises, and educate the public about them. The facilities have extended to include an area near Union Bay and steps have been taken to further increase the its collections.
