The destruction of a lesser-known Seattle pseudo-suburb is underway.
This series of a dozen square blocks was lofted forty feet in the air
but, despite looking picture-perfect (a series of pristine streets,
homes, yards and trees) it was never intended for human habitation.
A little anomaly dates back to World War II, this whole fake
neighborhood built atop a Boeing factory south of downtown Seattle,
meant to hide the presence of airplane production facilities below … the
cumulative size of eight football fields.
Houses, streets and plants were assembled like stage props out of
plywood, clapboard, chicken wire and burlap, covering the plant’s roof
during World War II. If any Japanese bombers made it this far east, the
hope was that their pilots would mistake this for a quiet residential
neighborhood.
plywood, clapboard, chicken wire and burlap, covering the plant’s roof
during World War II. If any Japanese bombers made it this far east, the
hope was that their pilots would mistake this for a quiet residential
neighborhood.
Despite the proximity of faux overhead homes, workers from the plane
plant took an entirely opposite route to get out, heading down instead
of up. Secret underground tunnels to reach nearby and
likewise-camouflaged cafeterias, classrooms and restrooms – images of
people on top were merely staged for a post-construction photo and film
shoot.
plant took an entirely opposite route to get out, heading down instead
of up. Secret underground tunnels to reach nearby and
likewise-camouflaged cafeterias, classrooms and restrooms – images of
people on top were merely staged for a post-construction photo and film
shoot.
But these would-have-been houses will not go to waste – the reclamation
of remaining materials is in progress. The Duluth Timber Company is
salvaging scraps as well as heavy timber beams from the site before it
is leveled.
of remaining materials is in progress. The Duluth Timber Company is
salvaging scraps as well as heavy timber beams from the site before it
is leveled.
As for the plant itself: it became increasingly outdated (and
structurally dangerous) as decades past, despite being the original home
of many famous Boeing aircraft including the original B-52 bomber and
737 jetliner.
structurally dangerous) as decades past, despite being the original home
of many famous Boeing aircraft including the original B-52 bomber and
737 jetliner.
