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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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540 results for: Businesses and Corporations

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Image of Sewing frame for binding newspapers, ca. 1880

Sewing frame for binding newspapers, ca. 1880

This sewing frame was originally used in Anthony's Bookbindery in Seattle before the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. The book attached, "The Musical Quarterly," a 1946 periodical, demonstrates how the frame worked.
ID Number:1967.4276
Date:Circa 1880
Image of Set of four liquor bottles from the Our House restaurant and hotel in Seattle, ca. 1898-1958

Set of four liquor bottles from the Our House restaurant and hotel in Seattle, ca. 1898-1958

Our House restaurant and hotel was owned and operated by William Grose (ca. 1835-1898), a Black sailor and prospector who arrived in Seattle in 1861. He opened Our House in 1876 on Yesler Way but the building burned down in the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. One or two of these bottles may have been sold by Grose, but most…
ID Number:1967.4277.2
Date:Circa 1898-1958
Image of Air blower for a forge, ca. 1890

Air blower for a forge, ca. 1890

Norwegian immigrant Lars O. Brekke used this forge air blower in his Seattle home in the 1890s and in his blacksmith shop which he opened in Ballard in 1900. He worked as a shipsmith for machine work shops on the Seattle waterfront and as a railroad smith for the Columbia and Puget Sound Railway. Lars' son and grandson took over…
ID Number:1968.4350
Date:Circa 1890
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
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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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