Courtesy of the Highline Historical Society comes this week’s B-Town Blog Past and Present Photo Series, this week featuring pics of the Tradewell Building, located at the corner of SW 152nd and Ambaum Blvd. South.

PAST: 1940’s view of SW 152nd Street looking west from Ambaum Blvd. SW. The Tradewell Building (on the left side) once housed Burien’s first movie theatre. “They would set up wooden chairs for us to sit on,” said the late Angelo Balzarini, long-time resident. Another early pioneer recollection notes that the first talking movie was shown there. This building subsequently housed Pacific Fabrics, then an Oak Furniture store before being purchased by the Highline Historical Society:

PRESENT: Currently housing Karuna Yoga Arts (notice the recognizable facade of the building across the street, on the north side):

In 2009-10, the building will be razed and replaced with the Highline Heritage Museum:

The Highline Historical Society is seeking donations to help build the museum, and you can dontate quickly and easily online by clicking here.

If you’d like to join the Society, prices start at just $20 per year!

Do you have a historical photo or anecdote about the greater B-Town area? If so, please email us!