Guess the decade of these historic Seattle photos

Every time we go to the P-I photo archive, we spend at least a few minutes perusing photos and turning to their backs to see when they were taken.

That curiosity — and the often-surprising results — has turned into a weekly gallery in which we share some of our favorite finds and give you the chance to guess the decade.

This week’s gallery includes Mercer Island’s most famous swimmer, a bootleg bust, KIRO radio’s Maury Island transmitter and “Sweet” Lou Pinella’s arrival in Seattle.

Guess the decade

Here’s the Kalakala before it was a rusted, expensive eyesore. What year was this photo taken in the Montlake Cut? (seattlepi.com file)

This photo was taken in 1947. (seattlepi.com file)

When did high school sports fans have to sit on old concrete pillars to watch games near what’s now Seattle Center? (seattlepi.com file)

The exact date isn’t given, but Memorial Stadium opened in 1947, so this is likely 1946. Memorial Stadium was built where Civic Stadium had been. Not the former armory on the left, which is now the Seattle Center House. (seattlepi.com file)

When did KIRO radio begin using this facility on Maury Island? (seattlepi.com file)

This photo was taken in 1941 and ran in the P-I that June 29, the day KIRO began broadcasting with the 50,000-watt facility on Maury Island. (seattlepi.com file)

When did Seattle Mayor Wes Uhlman and King County Executive John Spellman go on this bike ride around Green Lake? (seattlepi.com file)

This photo was taken Sept. 5, 1971. (seattlepi.com file)

When did part of downtown Seattle look like this? (seattlepi.com file)

Notes on the photo indicate it was taken in October 1918. (seattlepi.com file)

When was Lou Pinella announced as the Mariners manager? (seattlepi.com file)

This photo was taken Nov. 9, 1992, the day Piniella announced he signed a three-year contract to manage the Mariners. (seattlepi.com file)

When did the Roosevelt Theatre in downtown Seattle look like this? The movie title is a hint. (seattlepi.com file)

This photo was taken in September 1937. The theater was later renamed The Town and closed in 1984. (seattlepi.com file)

When was this bootleg booze found in Seattle? (seattlepi.com file)

This photo was taken in 1929. It shows Deputy Sheriff O. K. Bodia with liquors found during a raid of the Embassy Apartments on First Hill. Prohibition lasted until 1933. (seattlepi.com file)

When did Mercer Island swimmer Mary Wayte win the Olympic gold medal in the 200-meter freestyle? (seattlepi.com file)

The year was 1984. Mercer Island now has a pool named for Wayte, who lives with her family in Virginia and works in public relations. (seattlepi.com file)

These people are all gathered for the opening of Southcenter mall. What year was it? (seattlepi.com file)

The year was 1968. Among the snippers were Governor Dan Evans and Miss Tukwila Gayle Kirchmann. (seattlepi.com file)

Last week’s gallery is also included below in case you missed it.

Guess the decade

When was this civil rights march in Seattle? (seattlepi.com file)

This photo was taken June 15, 1963. (seattlepi.com file)

This building is now the Starbucks headquarters. But for years it was home to Sears. What year was this image taken? (seattlepi.com file)

Notes on the image say it was taken in 1925. That year, Sears, Roebuck and Co. opened its West Coast flagship warehouse at what’s now First Street South and South Lander Street in Sodo. (seattlepi.com file)

When did Conan O’Brien last perform in Seattle? (Joshua Trujillo/seattlepi.com) (AP)

Comedian Conan O’Brien performed onstage at Seattle’s McCaw Hall on April 18, 2010. (Joshua Trujillo/Seattlepi.com) (AP)

The late Jack Roberts wouldn’t be undersold. When was this picture taken? (seattlepi.com file)

This picture was taken on a commercial shoot in 1988. (seattlepi.com file)

When was this image taken in Ballard? (seattlepi.com file)

This photo of the Norwegian Sausage Co. was taken in 1975. (seattlepi.com file)

Before running for City Council, Jim Compton worked at NBC and spent more than a decade at KING. When was this picture taken? (seattlepi.com file)

This picture was taken in 1991. (seattlepi.com file)

In what decade did Husky football look like this? (seattlepi.com file)

This image is from the 1920s, according to notes on the back of the image. The University of Washington made it to the Rose Bowl in 1924 and 1926. (seattlepi.com file)