Ralph Doid City Planner

Ralph Doid was a notorious figure in Seattle during the 1920-30s.  Because of the position he held on the City Planning Commission he was constantly in the eye of controversy.  Most of his ideas for city projects were considered hair brained schemes and thus he was a 'thorn in the side' to many of the city's more conservative planners.  Mr. Doid kept most of his drawings and sketches in his personal possession until his death in 1954.  They were then stored at the Doid residence in West Seattle, with the Duwamish Historical Society acting as caretaker.  Unfortunately, the mansion was completely destroyed by fire in 1980 and most of the drawings were severely damaged. This display is a result of artist Carl Chew's reconstruction of artifacts found in the ashes. –Artist statement
 
 Location: City Hall, Floor 05, All City, Lobby