In the early 1900s the Fremont neighborhood was home to many Scandinavian immigrants who worked hard in small businesses.

At age 17 in 1888, Syvert Stray from Norway began the classic immigrant journey, beginning in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he worked on a dairy farm. Mr. Stray migrated Out West to Seattle in 1902. He became owner of the Seattle Dairy company at the intersection of 8th & Union Streets, where the Seattle Convention Center is now.

Circa 1910 Mr. Stray lined up his wagons and employees for this photo — but not in front of his own Seattle Dairy building. He apparently thought that the newly-built Dreamland building, around the corner facing Union Street, was a better backdrop for the photo. Dreamland was an entertainment hall for dancing, conventions and shows. Mr. Stray is at left with his wife Lillian standing next to him, and their oldest daughter seated in the wagon.

Mr. Stray was forward-thinking and by 1915 he had replaced his fleet of horse-drawn wagons with delivery trucks. He also invested in a chain of gas stations, McKale’s, and he became a director of the McKale’s company.

For more info see the Now & Then column about Dreamland and the Eagles Auditorium which replaced it.