THEN/NOW: Downtown Kirkland, 1922

Small town USA is how downtown Kirkland some time around 1922 might best have been described, judging by this postcard photo now preserved in the archives of the .

And honestly, it’s not that much different than the Kirkland many of us grew up with in the wartime 1940s, rock 'n roll '50s, psychedelic '60s and just plain wacky '70s.

Today it is so much different -- the population has exploded at 80,000, it is vastly more diverse culturally, ethnically and linguistically. It’s quite the happening little place.

Geographically the view from Central Way looking south down Lake Street is similar -- but not exactly the same. See the hillside in the distance? Much of it was removed yeas ago to make way for the paving of Lake Street and development along same, the earth used to fill in wet low spots downtown -- today those would be protected as wetlands.

The sights of town are classic Kirkland history: Browns Toggery -- a clothing shop -- the Lotus Cafe, Eastside Bakery, an outdoor hot dog/hamburger stand on the left.

Heritage Society President Loita Hawkinson says the photo was taken by Clifford B. Ellis, son of Boyd Ellis, both locally well-known photographers who turned many of their images into postcards. It is not dated, but Loita is placing it around 1922, and judging by the beautiful old autos, that would appear about right.

Photos like this make me feel a bit wistful -- where did all those years go?