Roethke Mews

I can't remember if I've previously noted here that within the past year I spotted a street sign in the alley next to the Blue Moon Tavern that read Roethke Mews. I had to look up the meaning of "mews", but I loved the pun on "muse" at first sight. I also loved this recognition of Roethke. Theodore Roethke was an American poet who taught at the University of Washington beginning in 1950 and thereby became, famously, a regular at the Blue Moon.

The reason I bring it up now is that I've been reading obituaries of Walt Crowley, the Seattle historian and public figure who died last Friday at age 60. The obituary at BlatherWatch includes a comment from someone who explains that Crowley was behind the naming of the alley. I'm sure that Crowley will be remembered more for other things, such as HistoryLink.org: The Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History, but the naming of that alley was a brilliant stroke. I hadn't realized until today that the City Council had even made the name official, thanks to Crowley's effort. Good one, Walt! The bow ties are forgiven.