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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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534 results for: Businesses and Corporations

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Image of Candy box, Imperial Candy Company, ca. 1906-1930

Candy box, Imperial Candy Company, ca. 1906-1930

Imperial Candy Company, in business from 1906 to 1974, was an early Seattle producer of a variety of candies and chocolates.
ID Number:2009.1.96
Date:Circa 1906-1930
Image of Sweden ice cream machine, ca. 1962

Sweden ice cream machine, ca. 1962

Harvey Swenson founded Sweden Freezer Manufacturing in 1932 in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, after having modified a floor polishing motor to run a soft-serve ice cream machine. During World War II, he turned his freezer plant to building cold-testers for rivets and guidance systems for Liberty Ships. In 1962, having attracted the attention of University of Washington's Dr. Belding…
ID Number:2009.33.2
Date:Circa 1962
Image of Sign advertisement for Sweden 217 Shakemaker, ca. 1950s

Sign advertisement for Sweden 217 Shakemaker, ca. 1950s

Harvey Swenson founded Sweden Freezer Manufacturing in 1932 in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, after having modified a floor polishing motor to run a soft-serve ice cream machine. This advertisement is marketing his Shakemaker to ice cream shops and other food service establishments.
ID Number:2009.33.3
Date:Circa 1950
Image of Rainier Beer bottle opener, ca. 1916-1920

Rainier Beer bottle opener, ca. 1916-1920

This opener dates from 1916-1920, the time during which Rainier Beer was brewing in San Francisco. In Washington state, Prohibition was voted into law in September of 1915 and all breweries had to shut down and have the distilleries dismantled by January 1, 1916. At the beginning of 1916, the Hemrich family, who owned and operated the Seattle Bewing and…
ID Number:2009.42.1
Date:Circa 1916-1920
Image of Beer bottle for Rheinlander beer, 1934-1935

Beer bottle for Rheinlander beer, 1934-1935

In 1934, Emil Sick started Century Brewing Association located at 3100 Airport Way. Rheinlander was the flagship beer. The following year, Sick bought the rights to the name of the long-standing brewery, Seattle Brewing & Malting Company, and changed his company's name accordingly. This specific bottle, with the Century Brewing Association name, was only in use from 1934-1935.
ID Number:2009.42.3
Date:1934-1935
Image of Beer bottle for Rainier Beer, ca. 1935-1944

Beer bottle for Rainier Beer, ca. 1935-1944

Rainier Beer was first brewed in Seattle in 1878. Over the decades the company had a string of owners, including Emil Sick (1894-1964), from 1933-1977, who also owned the Seattle Rainiers minor league baseball team. The company's Rainier Beer and the brewery itself, with it’s trademark red neon "R" that sat atop the building, were popular icons in the Pacific…
ID Number:2009.42.4
Date:Circa 1935-1944
Image of Original sidewalk sign from first Starbucks shop once located at 2000 Western Avenue in Seattle, 1971

Original sidewalk sign from first Starbucks shop once located at 2000 Western Avenue in Seattle, 1971

This hand-painted sidewalk sign advertised the first Starbucks coffee shop which opened in Seattle, Washington, on March 31, 1971, by three partners: Gordon Bowker, Jerry Baldwin, and Zev Siegl. The first shop was located at 2000 Western Ave, before it was later moved to what is today considered to be the flagship store in Pike Place Market. This sign was…
ID Number:2009.47.1
Date:1971
Image of Mortician's cosmetic kit from Butterworth Mortuary, ca. 1920s-1930s

Mortician's cosmetic kit from Butterworth Mortuary, ca. 1920s-1930s

Edgar Ray (E.R.) Butterworth (1847-1921), after having started a funeral directory business in Centralia, was hired to run Cross and Co. Undertakers in Seattle in 1889. In 1892, he purchased the business and renamed it E.R. Butterworth & Sons. In 1903, the Butterworth Building was opened at 1921 First Avenue in Seattle and was praised as one of the most…
ID Number:2009.57.1
Date:Circa 1920-1930
Image of Embalming table from Butterworth Mortuary, 1886

Embalming table from Butterworth Mortuary, 1886

Edgar Ray (E.R.) Butterworth (1847-1921), after having started a funeral directory business in Centralia, was hired to run Cross and Co. Undertakers in Seattle in 1889. In 1892, he purchased the business and renamed it E.R. Butterworth & Sons. In 1903, the Butterworth Building was opened at 1921 First Avenue in Seattle and was praised as one of the most…
ID Number:2009.57.2
Date:1886
Image of Washington Mutual

Washington Mutual "School Savings" promotional calculator, ca. 2005

WaMu was incorporated as the Washington National Buliding Loan and Investment Association on Sept 25, 1889, and grew to be the United States' largest savings and loan association until its infamous collapse in 2008. This promotional calculator advertises WaMu's School Savings program.
ID Number:2009.93.2
Date:Circa 2005
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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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