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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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We have many more items in our collections and not everything you see online is on view at the museum. We have additional materials online at the University of Washington’s Digital Collections.

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534 results for: Businesses and Corporations

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Image of Adlake box camera, ca. 1899

Adlake box camera, ca. 1899

This box camera was used by Calvin F. Todd of DePue Commercial Photographers in Seattle at the turn of the century. He specialized in industrial photography from the early to mid 20th century.
ID Number:1968.4416.2
Date:Circa 1899
Image of Japanese tea table, 1912

Japanese tea table, 1912

This bamboo table with removable tray was purchased at the Furuya Company in 1912, considered to be the only Japanese retailer in Seattle at that time. Masajiro Furuya, founder of this store, was born in Japan in 1862, immigrated to Vancouver, Canada, in 1890, and settled in Seattle in 1892. He first opened a grocery store and tailor shop on…
ID Number:1968.4471.1
Date:Circa 1912
Image of Oil portrait of William D. Hofius by William S. Sutton, ca. 1900

Oil portrait of William D. Hofius by William S. Sutton, ca. 1900

William Hofius (1852-1912) came to Seattle around 1897 from Los Angeles, California, in partnership with William Pigott to benefit from the Klondike Gold Rush by selling railway equipment and supplies, steel, and machinery. In 1906, Hofius and Pigott parted ways and the company became known as Hofius Steel and Equipment Company. The artist, William S. Sutton was born in Ohio…
ID Number:1968.4472.1
Date:Circa 1900
Image of Oil portrait of Mrs. William D. Hofius by W.S. Hutton, ca. 1900

Oil portrait of Mrs. William D. Hofius by W.S. Hutton, ca. 1900

Mrs. William D. Hofius (1873-1908) was born and married to her husband in Colorado. They came to Seattle around 1897 from Los Angeles, California, and William partnered with William Pigott, benefitting from the Klondike Gold Rush by selling railway equipment and supplies, steel, and machinery. In 1906, Hofius and Pigott parted ways and the company became known as Hofius Steel…
ID Number:1968.4472.2
Date:Circa 1900
Image of Glass pop bottle,

Glass pop bottle, "Star Bottling Co., Seattle,",ca. 1900-1919

The Star Bottling Co. in Seattle was owned by Joe Spitznagel and Jacob J. Miller. It operated from 1900 to 1906 at 1524 Sixth Avenue, then moved to 609 Westlake Avenue North where it remained in business until 1919.
ID Number:1968.4475.1
Date:1900-1919
Image of Telephone handset made by Universal High Power Telephone Co., 1917-1933

Telephone handset made by Universal High Power Telephone Co., 1917-1933

The "Wonderphone" featured a large transmitter assembly designed to overcome losses in early telephone lines. The Universal High-Powered Telephone Company was located at Carleton and Eddy Streets in Seattle.
ID Number:1968.4479.4
Date:1917-1933
Image of Wonderphone loudspeaker units made by Universal High Power Telephone Co. in Seattle, 1917-1933

Wonderphone loudspeaker units made by Universal High Power Telephone Co. in Seattle, 1917-1933

The "Wonderphone" featured a large transmitter assembly designed to overcome losses in early telephone lines. The Universal High-Powered Telephone Company was located at Carleton and Eddy Streets in Seattle.
ID Number:1968.4479.5
Date:1917-1933
Image of Large framed colored photograph looking south at downtown Seattle from Queen Anne Hill, 1940s

Large framed colored photograph looking south at downtown Seattle from Queen Anne Hill, 1940s

This oversized and colorized photograph, dating to the early 1940s, was donated by four brothers who owned the Leavitt Brothers women's clothing store. According to the Seattle City Directory, two of the Leavitt brothers were running an investment and real estate business in 1939, then apparently switched to women's clothing when the other two brothers joined the family enterprise. It…
ID Number:1969.4594.9
Date:Circa 1940
Image of Beautician's chair, ca. 1932-1935

Beautician's chair, ca. 1932-1935

This chair is from the Owl Beauty Shop in Seattle, owned and operated by Wilma E. Buell during the 1930s.
ID Number:1969.4679.3
Date:Circa 1930
Image of Powder flask, ca. 1850

Powder flask, ca. 1850

This powder flask belonged to Angus Mackintosh, born in Ontario, Canada in 1839, fought with the Union Army in the Civil War, and came to Seattle in 1876. He worked in real estate and had a mill on the waterfront that was destroyed in the Seattle Fire of 1889. He then went on to found a merchants bank, lumber company…
ID Number:1969.4687.1
Date:Circa 1850
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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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