Throwback Thursday: A look back at Ballard Locks

It is that time of the week where we pause for a moment to reflect on memories from “old” Ballard. This week Tom O’Grady, a volunteer with the Friends of the Ballard Locks, emailed in some great shots of Ballard Locks back in the day.

The black and white photo below was taken at the “informal opening of the Government Locks” on August 3, 1916. According to O’Grady, the formal opening took place on July 4, 1917.

3 Aug. 1916

“The below photos are interesting in that you can see the grounds before the development of the gardens and extensive plantings Carl English, principally, undertook on his own initiative,” writes O’Grady. The first was taken on August 7, 1916 and the second on August 28, 1923.

7 Aug. 1916

28 Aug. 1923

Do you have an historical photo or a story that readers would enjoy hearing about? Email us at tips@myballard.com with Throwback Thursday in the subject line.

Thanks to Tom O’Grady for sending in the photos and information. Photos property of the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Leave a Reply