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SEASIDE AQUARIUM

FEED THE SEALS

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Splash Newsletter

On the Beach Since 1937 - Seaside Aquarium Celebrates 75th Anniversary!

Octopus in the tank with sun light

The Seaside Aquarium is the oldest privately-owned aquarium on the west coast. For seventy-five years, daily operations have relied completely on aquarium admissions and gift shop sales. We are still open thanks to visitors like you!

Pre - 1937 The building that houses the Seaside Aquarium was originally constructed as a natatorium, a salt-water swimming pool. Arthur Viggers’ Seaside Baths and Natatorium opened in 1924 to compete with the Oates Natatorium already in business on the Prom at Broadway.

The main pool had a fountain in the shallow end that was large enough for multiple people to sit or stand on, a diving tower, and a viewing gallery. A smaller wading pool existed in the front. Water was drawn directly from the ocean and boilers kept water temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees.

Come celebrate our dodranscentennial

(75th anniversary)

at the


Seaside Aquarium Anniversary Party

Friday, May 25, 2012


1937 admission prices all day :

15 cents for adults

10 cents for children

The depression took its toll and the Seaside Baths Natatorium closed sometime in the early 1930’s, leaving the building empty for years.

Preparing for a Different Kind of Swimmer Although its life as a natatorium was short, the building’s design provided the perfect foundation for an aquarium -- a structure specifically designed to pull water from the ocean and filter it.

In 1937, a group of entrepreneurs who had successfully opened the Depoe Bay Aquarium (a tiny 200 foot space) rented the main floor of the building to open the Seaside Aquarium. They constructed the exhibit room of the aquarium to nest inside the old swimming pool. A subfloor was built to level out the bottom of the pool. (continued. on p.2)

Lillian Viggers advertises the newly opened Seaside Baths Natatorium, 1924. Photo courtesy of Susan Cagnolatti

Lillian Viggers advertises the newly
opened Seaside Baths Natatorium, 1924.
Photo courtesy of Susan Cagnolatti

Postcard of the Seaside Aquarium in the 1940’s.
Note the ad for the second-story Sea Water
Apartments on the cupola.

Postcard of two of the Aquarium’s first seals (likely
Tubby and Nappy), early 1940’s.

We are always looking for historic photos or fun family pictures of the Seaside Aquarium. If you have any fabulous photos you would be willing to share, please email Administrative Assistant Tiffany Boothe at:



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Seaside Aquarium, 200 North Prom, Seaside, Oregon 97138 Tel: (503) 738-6211.