Both views look south from the Marion Street overpass. In the circa 1930 view, Railroad Avenue is giving way to cars. In the contemporary scene, the injured Alaskan Way Viaduct hides some of its patches beneath the autumn cosmetics of rouge-colored trees.

SINCE THE early 20th century the Marion Street overpass has carried pedestrians safely to ferries and the water side of what was first called Railroad Avenue. The homely bridge is still a perfect perch for surveying the Seattle waterfront.

The older view looking south from the overpass appears to date from the early 1930s. Just below the center of this scene is a smart Mack truck with P.S.Q. Stores written above the cab. In 1930, Puget Sound Quality Stores moved into its new warehouse on Railroad Avenue immediately below the old National Guard Armory on Virginia Street. This truck may well be returning to that new plant after delivering groceries to members of what was then the largest chain of independent grocers in the Northwest.

What is perhaps most revealing about this scene is the degree to which motorcars have replaced train cars. In the early 20th century nine sets of tracks ran parallel here. Before the overpass was built, getting to the waterfront was too much like negotiating a maze in which the hedges are moving and very heavy.

Since this scene was recorded, the Alaskan Way Viaduct moved in to lord over the place. What may we imagine seeing from this prospect in 2075?

After I took the "now" photograph, I attended one of Allied Arts' "Beer and Culture" nights. Developers, architects and what we may call "city beautiful" activists met to imagine a "new story" for the waterfront once the noisy viaduct is gone. The last comment came from a distinguished gentleman from Juneau in town to visit his daughter. He gave the affair its capper. "When Alaskans visit Alaskan Way they are ashamed," he opined. Near me a sweet but determined voice added, "Dig the ditch."