Everett Archives: Forgotten Gems of Everett
Everett is a city like so many other old cities — a place caught in the process of dramatic change. Change is inevitable. Old buildings seemingly must fall before the advance of condos. In the haste to rebuild, remodel, or catch up with the times, sometimes important and emotionally resonant artifacts are removed or misplaced.
This article is a celebration of some of the bygone treasures of this PNW mill town; a toast to some of the joys of yesteryear.
The Roller Rink
The roller rink was located on California Avenue. Today it’s an indoor soccer stadium. Back in the day, several big-name musicians played there, including Little Richard and (allegedly) John Lee Hooker. Old-timers in this town still tell tales about the wholesome fun to be had, spinning around the roller rink on a Friday night after cruising Colby.
The Gulls’ Nest
Back when teen sock hops were the craze, the Gulls’ Nest was the place to go for school dances. Lanky youths in slacks and pleated skirts “cut a rug” on a wooden dance floor at this officially sanctioned school dance hall. Teen party central was located up a flight of stairs off Hewitt.
Music Notes of the Historic Everett Theatre
The Historic Everett Theatre has changed ownership many times since its opening over 100 years ago. Fires and new managers have called for extensive remodeling. One of the coolest incarnations of the theatre was the midcentury remodel that featured large semi-abstract music notes that floated above and around the theatre stage, framing the movies and performances on display there. The music notes are still in the (haunted?) basement of the theatre. The Historic Theatre also is allegedly an outlet for a network of underground tunnels...
Plaster music notes at the Historic Everett Theatre // NW History Room archives
Underground Tunnels
A series of underground tunnels runs through downtown Everett. The extent and interconnectedness of these tunnels is debated by local historians, but the tunnels do in fact exist. Some of them were built during Prohibition for obvious reasons; others act as routes to and from train tracks. Lion’s Paw Tattoo, Historic Everett Theatre, and the Anchor Tavern are all said to have Prohibition-style tunnel openings. Railroad tunnels run uphill from the old station on Bond Street to the Providence hospital on Pacific. There are also a series of fallout shelters in the Port Gardner Neighborhood (confirmed) that are supposedly connected by a series of underground tunnels (supposedly).
Old YMCA Pool and Gym
You don’t have to be a senior citizen to remember the glory of the old YMCA. The original building is still standing on the corner of California and Rockefeller, mercifully spared the wrecking ball, thanks to the effort of historic preservationists.
The old 1920s gym was a place upstairs with poor ventilation, brick walls, and a raised track with squeaky original floorboards. It was a gym in keeping with the fitness ideals of when it was built: a place to wallop a punching bag, jump rope, or run laps on that squeaky track. It was unbearably stuffy in summer and chilly in winter. But somehow, like everything else in that old building, it was just perfect.
Barefoot runner rounds the 1920s track at the YMCA // YMCA archives
The Cave Restaurant
Imagine dining in a well-lit cave. Stalactites hang from the ceiling as you sip your coffee and pour hot sauce on your eggs. The Cave was a popular restaurant on Hewitt Avenue. The whole idea was that it was cave-like. Pretty wild.
Blue Moon Tavern
This last entry was the victim of the recent Covid economic recession. The Blue Moon on Broadway (not to be confused with the also-iconic music venue bar in the University District of Seattle) was a neighborhood watering hole for many decades. It had a great neon sign that hung roadside next to Broadway, featuring a glowing crescent moon. The place was a cinder block box, offered domestic beers in bottles and cans, and had the best karaoke north of Everett Avenue. Their Rainier cans offered a nice compliment to Ray’s Drive-Thru right across the street. The place shuttered in early 2021, and became a vehicle licensing office.
Blue Moon Tavern // Richard Porter
Some of this history still exists in the memories of locals. More is tucked away in the Everett Museum of History archives. It’s important to appreciate and preserve what is, because time changes all. Some of the best things about our community can pass from sight uncelebrated.
Here’s to now: the important intersection of our city’s past and present.
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