Friday, September 2, 2016

Roslyn, Washington - August 2016

An outdoors opportunity took me back to the small town of Roslyn, Washington (population 895) where I had last visited five years ago.  Roslyn is located about 90 miles east of Seattle and is still known as the exterior filming site for the 1990's TV show Northern Exposure which took place in the fictitious town of Cicely, Alaska.   I've noticed as years go on though, less have heard of it.

The famous mural on the wall of the Roslyn Cafe  which was seen on the opening of the TV show.  During the show's run, the mural was slightly modified to say "Roslyn's Cafe" and the scriptwriters worked a "Roslyn" character into the history of the show.  Back to normal these days:


Many scenes were filmed along Roslyn's Pennsylvania Avenue, it's main street.  Looking west first, and then east:



 Village Pizza was also seen on the opening of the show but never used or mentioned:


The site of Dr. Joel Fleischman's office, with the (white shoe polish?) sign still in the window:



And Ruth Anne's store, on the corner of Pennsylvania and 1st St.  Inside, the cash register is still is in the same place:
 

The town of Roslyn tries to preserve their Northern Exposure fame to attract tourism even though it wasn't all fun and games for the residents with the filming crew around and streets being blocked.  This is the radio station KBHR which was a central component of the show and which still occupies a storefront on their main street:


It's been rearranged a little since I was there last, a little more tidied up:



This is new from my last visit:  an explanation of the radio station to those perhaps too young to remember the show:


Northern Exposure used the name and exterior of Roslyn's "The Brick" tavern but not the interior.  Those familiar with the show are sometimes surprised that the inside doesn't look like what they saw on TV but the inside scenes were filmed on a set near Seattle:



Maggie's Pantry, also new since my last visit.  Hmm, there was a central character in NE named Maggie, any relationship?



And a few non-Northern Exposure related pictures.  First, the Marlon Brando mural:
 

Being in the foothills of the Cascades puts Roslyn in a good position to capture some of the outdoor / recreation market including those looking to make a getaway from Seattle.   Basecamp Books is new since my last visit and they have a coffee shop too, and also great recreational and trail maps of the area:


The bike shop (including rentals) may be new also, since I was there last:
 


Remembering Roslyn's coal mining heritage:



Beautiful small house, probably a miner's house at one time:



And a perfect day for a small-town Saturday morning softball game at Pioneer Park:
 

Another great visit to Roslyn topped off with four wonderful days of blue skies and no rain!