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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.

Download lower resolution images directly from an item page. MOHAI offers high-resolution digital reproductions of photographs and other materials from our collections for personal and professional use.

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534 results for: Businesses and Corporations

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Image of Cobbler's sign made by Leo Sherin, 1925-1975

Cobbler's sign made by Leo Sherin, 1925-1975

Leo Sherin (1897-1989) was a "shoetician" who operated a shop at 1909 East Aloha Street in Seattle from 1925-1975. The sign is made of two parts with a painted message on both sides. Mr. Sherin was forced to remove the tall sign from his shop when he refused to pay the city air-space rent to hang it.
ID Number:1980.6949.1
Date:1925-1975
Image of Metal folding bottle opener advertising Aronson Howe, Seattle, ca. 1900

Metal folding bottle opener advertising Aronson Howe, Seattle, ca. 1900

Abe Aronson opened his combination hardware and liquor store in Seattle in the early 1900s. He managed the store for 60 years.
ID Number:1980.7091.2
Date:Circa 1900
Image of Baby's leather bootees, sold at Nordstrom, ca. 1900

Baby's leather bootees, sold at Nordstrom, ca. 1900

Nordstrom began as a shoe retailer established in Seattle in 1901 by Carl Wallin and Swedish immigrant John Nordstrom (Wallin & Nordstrom). By 1929, both Nordstrom and Wallin had retired and sold their shares to Nordstrom's sons, Everett and Elmer. In 1930, when the newly remodeled Second Avenue store was reopened, the name changed to Nordstrom and eventually opened stores…
ID Number:1981.7231.7
Date:Circa 1900
Image of Pale green glass beer bottle, Geo. T. McGinnis & Co., Seattle, WA, ca. 1900-1920

Pale green glass beer bottle, Geo. T. McGinnis & Co., Seattle, WA, ca. 1900-1920

This bottle, unearthed by a scuba diver, was distributed by George (Geo) T. Maginnis & Company. According to historians, this Seattle bottling company was around as early as 1890.
ID Number:1981.7248.4
Date:Circa 1900-1920
Image of Green glass beer bottle, Seattle Brewing & Malting Company, ca. 1892

Green glass beer bottle, Seattle Brewing & Malting Company, ca. 1892

This bottle, unearthed by a scuba diver, was distributed by Seattle Brewing and Malting Company. Three different breweries, including the Bay View Brewing Co., joined to form Seattle Brewing in 1892.
ID Number:1981.7248.9
Date:Circa 1892
Image of Green glass soda bottle from Pacific & Puget Sound Bottling Company, Seattle, early 1900s

Green glass soda bottle from Pacific & Puget Sound Bottling Company, Seattle, early 1900s

Pacific & Puget Sound Bottling Company was located on the corner of Minor Avenue and Stewart Street in Seattle as early as 1908. The bottle has a rounded bottom because it was meant to be stored on its side to prevent the cork from drying.
ID Number:1981.7296.1
Date:Circa 1900-1920
Image of Clear glass soda seltzer bottle,

Clear glass soda seltzer bottle, "Pacific & Puget Sound Bottling Co.," 1910-1919

Pacific & Puget Sound Bottling Company was located on the corner of Minor Avenue and Stewart Street in Seattle as early as 1908.
ID Number:1981.7300.3
Date:Circa 1910-1919
Image of Navy blue acetate evening gown designed by Rudi Gernreich, 1969

Navy blue acetate evening gown designed by Rudi Gernreich, 1969

This dress belonged to Stella Cane Bacher, an advertising executive for the Bellevue Square Shopping Center. She was born in Pittsburg, Pa. and moved to Bellevue in 1957. In addition to being promotion director of Bellevue Square and previously marketing director for Southcenter Mall, she was a member of the Seattle chapter of Fashion Group International. The dress was designed…
ID Number:1981.7320.1C2577
Date:1969
Image of New York Stock Exchange booth, 1929

New York Stock Exchange booth, 1929

This three-part booth was Stock Exchange Tradiing Post #4 on the floor of the New York Stock Echange from 1929 to 1932 during the stock market crash and subsequent Depression. Pneumatic tube stations connected all 13 posts which served to process the increasing volume of trades. Washington state companies listed on Post #4 included Boeing, Weyerhauser, Puget Sound Power &…
ID Number:1981.7352.1
Date:1929
Image of Rubber band making machine, ca. 1930s

Rubber band making machine, ca. 1930s

During the Depression, Clarence Gowey worked for the Seattle Rubber Band Company located in the basement of the Ankeny-Gowey house on Queen Anne Hill before becoming a pipe fitter. He purchased this machine and, according to one of his grandchildren, Gowey and his children would go to the dump and recover the best inner tubes from car tires. They used…
ID Number:1982.15.1
Date:Circa 1930
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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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