The art deco architecture of the Smith Tower is an icon of the Seattle skyline. Even though it is now dwarfed by glass and metal skyscrapers, the tower long held the title of tallest building west of the Mississippi River.

I visited Smith Tower several times as a child to see my mother at work in the biology lab, as she helped to track down local pathogens. I still remember the elevator attendant happily humming a tune and he helped us to her floor.