Photos: 9 Elephants From Seattle's Past

SEATTLE, WA - Bet you didn't know elephants were so frequently used as props at events throughout Seattle history. According to the Seattle Municipal Archives, elephants made during Pike Place Market ceremonies and, of course, zoo openings.

Check out Seattle's historical elephants:

In 1952, this tiny elephant was brought out for an "exposition," according to the archives. But it's unclear what that exposition was.

This elephant was downtown in 1959 to do publicity for a bond issue. But check out the Orpheum Theatre in the background. The theater was torn down in the 1960s and is now the site of the Westin. The spot where the little girl is standing is approximately the first stop on the South Lake Union streetcar line.

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That's former mayor Charles Royer (who's still involved in city affairs) handing a gold brick to an elephant during a ceremony at Pike Place Market. This photo was taken in the late 1970s, an era when the market was undergoing major renovations.

Here's another elephant at Pike Place Market. This one was on hand for the 1978 dedication of the Pike Street hill climb.

Another shot of the 1978 hill climb dedication ceremony.

Appropriately, this young elephant came out for the opening of a children's zoo in 1967.

Here's that baby elephant again at the children's zoo opening. The elephant is posing with Barbara Berry and Dr. Walter Fairservis, president of the Seattle zoological society in 1967.

This photo hasn't aged very well. These elephants were on display at the Woodland Park Zoo circa 1914. One-hundred years later, the zoo no longer has an elephant exhibit. The last two elephants, Chai and Bamboo, were sent to the Oklahoma City Zoo in 2015. Chai, known for displaying repetitive behavior, died in early 2016 in Oklahoma City.

Photos courtesy Seattle Municipal Archives