This stairway walk shows off all the "U-Dub" chestnuts like Red Square, the magnificent Gothic-style Suzzallo Library, Rainier Vista, The Quad, and Drumheller Fountain. But you'll also get to explore places seldom seen by the casual visitor to the University of Washington: the lengthy Wahkiakum Lane stairway; the "Stairs to Nowhere" near the School of Architecture; curving twin stairways oddly suspended just above the ground, with a wooden staircase filling in the gap; a surreal outdoor amphitheater, and literally tons of campus art.
Extra website pictures, referenced in the book, are contained in the slideshow below (as indicated by the "www" icon). Scroll further for even more scenes of this UW version of Seattle stairs.
The Story of Those Sylvan Theater Columns:
The University of Washington had a tough time at the beginning. Financial problems shut it down three times before its first student, Clara Witt, graduated n 1876. By 1895 the University was stable and growing, and moved to a new building on today's campus: Denny Hall, just to the north of The Quad (see below). When the original downtown building was set to be razed Edmond Meany, the History Department chair, led an effort to save the portico columns and move them over to the new campus. Over the years they've had rough adventures; two of the columns were blown over before all four were safely secured to a concrete base. The original cedar scrollwork at the tops didn't make it. What you will see are fiberglas replacements, installed in 1958.
These are the "Stairs to Nowhere," a project of students from the School of Architecture
The Spiral Stairs will take you past the Henry Gallery to a footbridge over 15th Avenue NE, and on to "The Ave"
The Ave is a busy student hangout, with lots of food places and different types of ethnic cuisine. There's a brewry and alehouse too, as well as the University Bookstore, which is a fun place to hang out browse.
The Ave is not to be missed - busy with students, stores and good places to eat...
...like this, Alladin Gyro-cery, one of our favorite shawarma spots
Back on campus, springtime in The Quad brings a spectacular explosion among the Yoshino Cherry trees
The buildings around The Quad are decorated with easily-missed grotesques like these
Looking back up at part of the Wahkiakum Lane stairs, toward the end of the walk