Edward Carlson

Who was Edward Carlson?

Edward "Eddie" Carlson, was an American businessman and Seattle, Washington civic leader.

Carlson was born in Tacoma, Washington and, as a youth, helped his single mother make ends meet by working as an attendant at a gas station, as well as other odd jobs. Carlson entered the University of Washington in 1928 and, while a student, began his hotel career as a pageboy, then elevator operator, then bellhop.He dropped out of college in 1930 for financial reasons. He worked half a year as a seaman, then worked a summer job at Mount Baker Lodge, and beginning in autumn 1931 traveled the country in an unsuccessful stint as a salesman trying to sell a machine that mechanically blocked felt hats. Returning to Seattle, he returned to hotel work, first as a room clerk and then as assistant manager of Seattle's Roosevelt Hotel, next as manager of the President Hotel in Mount Vernon, Washington. On June 26, 1936, he married Nell H. Cox.

In April 1937, Carlson returned to Seattle to manage the Rainier Club, Seattle's preeminent private club."