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Explore stories in Northwest history through highlights from MOHAI’s collections. Search by keyword below or browse the entire online collection by entering the asterisk symbol (*). Filter your search by type of materials.

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135 results for: Government and Public Services

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Image of Sign from Yesler Way Cable Car Line,  ca. 1910

Sign from Yesler Way Cable Car Line, ca. 1910

The Seattle City Railway, originally named the Lake Washington Cable Railway, was in operation from 1888 until 1940. Known as the Yesler Way Cable Car line, it started from Yesler Way and Fruit Street at Pioneer Place and ran east via Yesler to Lake Washington.
ID Number:1947.441.a
Date:Circa 1910
Image of Wooden chest, 1853

Wooden chest, 1853

This chest was brought across the country by pack train in 1853 by Washington Territorial Governor Isaac Stevens. Stevens traveled to Puget Sound from the Midwest to conduct surveys of the newly established territory.
ID Number:1948.22.3
Date:Circa 1850
Image of Fireman's belt worn by Josiah Collins, 1885-1895

Fireman's belt worn by Josiah Collins, 1885-1895

Josiah Collins (1864-1949) was the chief of the Seattle Fire Department during the Great Seattle Fire in 1889. His absence that fateful day due to an event he was attending in San Francisco contributed to the various problems that resulted in such a destructive and uncontained fire.
ID Number:1948.1454.1
Date:Circa 1885-1895
Image of Fire chief's hat worn by Seattle Fire Chief Josiah Collins, ca. 1880s

Fire chief's hat worn by Seattle Fire Chief Josiah Collins, ca. 1880s

Volunteer Fire Chief Josiah Collins was in California at the time of the "Great Seattle Fire" in 1889. His absence was a contributing factor to the ultimate devastation that the fire wrought on the city.
ID Number:1950.426.12
Date:Circa 1880
Image of Metal sign,

Metal sign, "Repeal 18th Amendment," ca. 1933

The 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1919, established the prohibition of alcohol in the US. Not surprisingly, there was much public dissent regarding the prohibition of alcohol and calls for repeal increased by the late 1920s. This ultimately resulted in the ratification of the 21st Amendment to the US Constitution which repealed the 18th Amendment, and…
ID Number:1951.427.3
Date:Circa 1933
Image of Leather fire bucket, ca. 1889

Leather fire bucket, ca. 1889

The Great Fire of June 6, 1889 was a significant turning point in Seattle's history and changed both the physical and political landscapes of the city. The fire started in a paint and woodwork shop at Front and Madison and swept southward across 100 acres of Seattle's business district and waterfront. The inferno completely consumed the business district's wooden buildings,…
ID Number:1951.1057.3
Date:Circa 1889
Image of Leather fire bucket, ca. 1889

Leather fire bucket, ca. 1889

The Great Fire of June 6, 1889 was a significant turning point in Seattle's history and changed both the physical and political landscapes of the city. The fire started in a paint and woodwork shop at Front and Madison and swept southward across 100 acres of Seattle's business district and waterfront. The inferno completely consumed the business district's wooden buildings,…
ID Number:1951.1057.4
Date:Circa 1889
Image of Seattle Fire Department bell, 1890

Seattle Fire Department bell, 1890

This 5,000-pound bell hung in Seattle’s first professional fire department headquarters at Columbia Street and Seventh Avenue. After a great fire destroyed 100 acres of the city’s business district and waterfront in 1889, Seattle organized its first professional fire department. Josiah Collins, who was chief of the volunteer fire department at the time, commissioned this bell as a gift to…
ID Number:1952.551
Date:1890
Image of Docker from Seattle's first veterinary hospital, ca. 1900

Docker from Seattle's first veterinary hospital, ca. 1900

This instrument was used at Seattle's first veterinary hospital by Captain Harry C. Fullington of the Veterinary Corps of the Washington State National Guard. These clippers "dock" or cut horses' tails to give them an upright brush-like appearance. The practice was outlawed in the early 20th century.
ID Number:1953.295
Date:Circa 1900
Image of Early fire hose nozzle, ca. 1850

Early fire hose nozzle, ca. 1850

The Great Fire of June 6, 1889 was a significant turning point in Seattle's history and changed both the physical and political landscapes of the city. The fire started in a paint and woodwork shop at Front and Madison and swept southward across 100 acres of Seattle's business district and waterfront. The inferno completely consumed the business district's wooden buildings,…
ID Number:1953.325
Date:Circa 1850
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Land Acknowledgement

MOHAI stands on the historic and contemporary lands and shores of the Duwamish, Suquamish, Muckleshoot, and other Coast Salish Nations. We acknowledge the forced displacement of Native Communities from this land while honoring the endurance of the Duwamish people who still live here.
Address: 860 Terry Ave N, Seattle WA, 98109
Phone: 206 324 1126
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