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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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40 results for: Construction and Urban Planning

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Image of Two buttons,

Two buttons, "Transit Tunnel Grand Opening," 1990

On September 15, 1990, Metro Transit buses began regular service in the new downtown Seattle transit tunnel. The newly introduced "dual-mode" buses were used that switch from diesel to electric power upon entering the 1.3 mile tunnel. Construction of the tunnel began on March 6, 1987, and was completed on schedule three and a half years later.
ID Number:1993.43.176
Date:1990
Image of Cup and saucer with images of the Lake Washington Floating Bridge, ca. 1940

Cup and saucer with images of the Lake Washington Floating Bridge, ca. 1940

This souvenir teacup and saucer features images of the Lake Washington Floating Bridge (later called the Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge). It was the first large-scale floating bridge ever constructed and opened to traffic on July 2, 1940. The concrete roadway from Seattle to the eastern shore of Lake Washington floats on pontoons which are anchored to the lake bottom.…
ID Number:1996.39.3
Date:1940-1950
Image of Cup and saucer with images of the Lake Washington Floating Bridge, ca. 1940

Cup and saucer with images of the Lake Washington Floating Bridge, ca. 1940

This souvenir teacup and saucer features images of the Lake Washington Floating Bridge (later called the Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge). It was the first large-scale floating bridge ever constructed and opened to traffic on July 2, 1940. The concrete roadway from Seattle to the eastern shore of Lake Washington floats on pontoons which are anchored to the lake bottom.…
ID Number:1996.39.4
Date:1940-1950
Image of Home plate from Sick's Stadium in Seattle, ca. 1960s-1970s

Home plate from Sick's Stadium in Seattle, ca. 1960s-1970s

Businessman Emil Sick bought the Seattle Indians baseball team in 1937. The appropriation of Indigenous names for professional sports teams has been popular since the 19th century and is one common example of discrimination and marginalization faced by Native peoples in the United States. Sick renamed the team the Seattle Rainiers and started work on a new steel and concrete…
ID Number:2001.22.32
Date:Circa 1960-1970
Image of Kingdome model, ca. 1970

Kingdome model, ca. 1970

The Kingdome was the featured venue in Seattle sports culture from 1976-2000. The Kingdome opened in 1976 when Seattle was awarded its first NFL football team, the Seahawks, as well as a baseball team, the Mariners. Beloved by some, hated by others, "The Dome" had a troubled history, including the infamous incident in 1994 when the waterlogged interior ceiling collapsed…
ID Number:2001.22.40
Date:Circa 1970
Image of Painting by Don Paulson,

Painting by Don Paulson, "Construction of the Columbia Tower," ca. 1985

Don Paulson (1933-2006) was an author, artist, and chronicler of Seattle drag culture. He was born in Seattle and grew up in Auburn and Enumclaw. Paulson was drafted into the U.S. Army at 19 and served for two years during the Koren War. In the early 1960s he went to New York and immersed himself in the Pop Art scene.…
ID Number:2003.16.1
Date:Circa 1985
Image of Portrait of Daniel V. McEachern by Charles A. Veteto, 1971

Portrait of Daniel V. McEachern by Charles A. Veteto, 1971

Horace W. McCurdy (1899-1989), maritime builder and great benefactor of MOHAI, commissioned this portrait of his friend Daniel V. McEachern (1879-1971) who founded with his father and brothers the J.A. McEachern Construction Company in 1911. In 1929, they merged with, and assumed the name of, General Construction Company, which went on to build multimillion dollar construction projects in and around…
ID Number:2005.15.3
Date:1971
Image of Silk screen print,

Silk screen print, "Artist's drawing of Ivar's Pier 54 on Seattle's central downtown waterfront between Madison and Spring Streets" by William Werrback, ca. 1970-1980

This architectural drawing appears to be a proposal by Ivar Haglund to upgrade Pier 54 where Ivar's Restaurant is located. Haglund was a famous Seattle character who established the city's first aquarium on Pier 54 and a fish-and-chips stand that grew to become the renowned "Acres of Clams" restaurant. The artist, William Werrbach (b.1925), was born in Seattle and studied…
ID Number:2011.1.238
Date:Circa 1970-1980
Image of Set of eight cedar boardwalk planks, ca. 1880

Set of eight cedar boardwalk planks, ca. 1880

These planks were donated to MOHAI by Sound Transit. They are a portion of the boardwalk planks that were excavated from an archaeological site at Pine Street and Terry Avenue in Seattle. The boardwalk was covered and infilled due to the Denny Regrade project from 1905-1910. The boardwalk was discovered approximately 38 feet below the surface. Other items retrieved from…
ID Number:2011.30.1
Date:Circa 1880
Image of Souvenir handkerchief showing I-90 floating bridge, 1940s-1950s

Souvenir handkerchief showing I-90 floating bridge, 1940s-1950s

The presence of the Kalakala (retired in 1967) and the absence of the Space Needle (completed in 1962) implies that this souvenir handkerchief showing I-90 floating bridge and other local attractions, was made in the 1940s-1950s.
ID Number:2012.8.1
Date:Circa 1940-1950
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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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