Posted on 01/12/2009 6:07:04 PM PST by Fred Nerks
The president-elect's Seattle residence in 1961. (Photo courtesy of the Washington State Archives, Puget Sound Branch, King County Assessor Property Record Card collection photograph (1937).
Very little has been written about President-elect Barack Obama's mother Stanley Ann Dunham's time here in Seattle. Brief articles and even briefer accounts from schoolmates make the person who was the most influential person in Obama's life all the more intriguing. A single mother who enrolled in the University of Washington in 1961 and signed up for 1962 extension program, she likely came across many social prejudices in the predominantly all-white campus.
Perhaps Ann Obama felt more at ease in the diverse neighborhood of Capitol Hill, which housed many students from the neighboring colleges.
Recently located was a listing for Stanley Ann Obama in the 1961 Polk directory at the Seattle Public Library: "Obama Anna Mrs studt h516 13th Ave. E. apt. 2"
So it seems there is no denying the fact that the next president of the United States' had a residence here in Seattle on Capitol Hill Seattle, albeit as a diapered infant.
The apartment house was in the 500 block of 13th Avenue East between East Republican and Mercer streets, but it no longer exists.
This 1937 photo of the apartment house shows a three-story, 21-room house. Stanley Ann Obama and an infant Barack, it is believed, lived on the second floor.
Of note, Roy Olmstead, 76 ¬¬- Seattle's famous bootlegger - lived just up the block at 535 13th Ave. E. And Bruce Lee was then attending the University of Washington at the same time as Stanley Ann Obama.
So drive by and take a look at the neighborhood and when you pass by an infant, stop and say hello. You never know, one of these kids could grow up to be the next president of the United States.
Alas, too warm for a trench coat....unless....
The 1960 census is probably available on line.
When did Stanley marry? She’s listed as Mrs....and a student.
Uh, one more thing...Why no pictures of Mommy and Daddy?? No wedding pictures?? No Mommy, daddy and baby??
BINGO
Sorry 1960 census records will not be available for another while yet, the 1930 census records have just been released. The City Directory is the only source of info until then. Ann had Jr with her the entire time she was in WA state as many of her former high school classmates have stated. The story as written does have an error in it, Ann took extension/correspondence courses for two semesters and actually attended classes in spring of 1962. Classes began in March of 1962. She could register as an in state student considering she had graduated from a WA state high school. Also please note she did NOT take a full load of courses each semester, she took two courses per semester as indicated by a letter of confirmation from UW posted last year at FR and other websites.
LOL you have just told me the theory I have held for quite some time. I posted that theory quite awhile ago as Fred and other Freepers can atest to!
You are coming quite late to this story aren’t you? The 1960 census will NOT be released until 75 years after it has been taken, ask any genealogist. The birth announcement was printed in both “The Honolulu Advertiser” and “The Star Bulletin” but the address given(6085 Kalanianaole Hwy) was a home owned by Orland and Thelma Lefforge.
Thanks for the info..
Yes, I’m late and have forgotten a lot about this story.
I don’t believe she even returned to HI to register the birth. I believe Madelyn registered the birth using an address she knew would be a “safe address” Remember Madelyn was in essence the mortgage department at Bank of Hawaii. At that time the word of a relative was enough to register a birth and who more reliable than the mortgage administrator at the “white bank” of HI?
No mystery here, the Polk Directory which lists Ann’s address is actually the 61/62 Directory.
It can be found in the main Seattle public library or the Univ. of WA library for verification.
Which means someone should also check the 1960-61 Polk’s Seattle City Directory.
Of course the single year 1960 and 1963 Polk directories were also checked. No listings for Ann under the names of Dunham or Obama.
Locals recall Ann as a very intelligent and determined young woman. She gets my vote.
For any mention of the Dunham family in the city directory for 1960 one would have to look under the Bellevue section. Ann returned to Hawaii in early 1963 and lived in apt 110 1427 Alexander St, an apartment rented for her by her parents for her return to Hawaii with Jr. There would be no mention of her in the dirctory for 1963.
Is she running for office?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.