tacoma watch: kalakala has a good home
Long-term Seattle residents may remember a certain decaying art deco ship that decorated the Northern shore of Lake Union. For years, the silver decomissioned Washington State Ferry was among Seattle’s monuments to not knowing quite what to do with our treasured relics. After years of litigation, the ship’s owner and the dock’s landlord parted company, sending the Kalakala on it’s long journey to find a new port to call its own.
Following a brief retreat to find itself among the natural beauty of Cape Flattery (the northwesternmost point in the lower 48 United States!) on the Makah reservation, the boat was soon forced to leave Neah Bay to continue its wandering and ended up encamped in Tacoma. Signs point to an extended stay in it’s new home:
[Rodrigues] envisions the ferry one day serving as an educational resource, a venue for weddings, and a place for South Sound residents to take their spouses for a nice dinner. [newstribune]
Oh, Tacoma. Looks like you might have yourself a new hooptie.
I’m relieved that it’s still in existence. There’s no really good reason for it, but I just love the Kalakala in all its rusty grandeur. I lost track of it after it ended up with the Makah and somehow thought it had been scuttled.
I don’t share the sentimental attachment so many people do, but if they’re going to keep it, I hope they will put some effort into the upkeep.
It’s good to hear that there are people who miss the Kalakala. I also have gotten hooked by this ferryboat and I am starting a website that features stories people have about the Kalakala and/or snapshots. I am also interested in info about the luxury and entertainment like the radio station and the Flying Bird Orchestra along with the dances, parties etc.
Please get in touch with me at info@nwhistoricships.com. I’d love to hear even the smallest story and also how you found out about the Kalakala and what you like about it–its history, shape, and so on.
Thanks.