Like all my books, my novella His by Opening Day is full of heart, heat, humor...and real history! In fact, the plot was carefully crafted around a major event in Seattle's history: the 1909 World's Fair.

The inspiration began when I came across a wonderful book on the fair: Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, Washington's First World's Fair: A Timeline History by Alan J. Stein and Paula Becker and the HistoryLink staff. 

Almost four million people attended the Exposition from June to October, 1909, and it played a huge part in putting the growing city on the national and international map. 

Further research introduced me to Henry Broderick, the youngest board member of The Exposition Company at age twenty-nine and a major real estate success. He would become the inspiration for Theodore Townsend. 

Enjoy this assortment of images that sparked inspiration for my story!

Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition promotional postcard, 1909. (Photograph: Seattle Public Library)

The Arctic Circle at the AYPE. Theo runs past here on his way to find Rosie. (Photograph: Seattle Public Library)

The King County Building. This is where the reception takes place. It is also where Theo and Rosie find each other at the very end. (Photograph: Seattle Public Library)

The Auditorium. This is the setting of the disastrous opening night performance. (Photograph: Seattle Public Library)

A program from Moore's Theatre, c.1907. This is where Theo and Rosie have an issue with a monkey (photograph: Wikipedia Commons).

The Interior of Moore's Theater, c. 1910. Imagine Theo and Rosie in a box seat close to the stage! (Photograph: MOHAI)

The People's Bank Building at Second and Pike, c. 1927. Several of Theo's letters are addressed from this place of business.

A page from The Entomologist (1899), the magazine in which Rosie aspires to publish her research. (Photograph: Biodiversity Heritage Library)

Hope you enjoyed taking a tour around Seattle with me!

Look here for more information about getting your copy of His by Opening Day!