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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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26 results for: Railroads

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Image of Surveying stencil tool used by James Casey Embree, ca. 1903-1939

Surveying stencil tool used by James Casey Embree, ca. 1903-1939

James Casey Embree (1881-1940) was an early Seattle civil engineer. He was responsible for surveying various Seattle neighborhoods and, from 1906-1924, he worked on the Alaskan Engineering Commission that would provide railroads to parts of Alaska following the Gold Rush of 1897.
ID Number:2018.54.3
Date:1877
Image of Measuring tape used by James Casey Embree, ca. 1903-1939

Measuring tape used by James Casey Embree, ca. 1903-1939

James Casey Embree (1881-1940) was an early Seattle civil engineer. He was responsible for surveying various Seattle neighborhoods and, from 1906-1924, he worked on the Alaskan Engineering Commission that would provide railroads to parts of Alaska following the Gold Rush of 1897.
ID Number:2018.54.4
Date:Circa 1920-1939
Image of Triangular ruler used by James Casey Embree, ca. 1903-1939

Triangular ruler used by James Casey Embree, ca. 1903-1939

James Casey Embree (1881-1940) was an early Seattle civil engineer. He was responsible for surveying various Seattle neighborhoods and, from 1906-1924, he worked on the Alaskan Engineering Commission that would provide railroads to parts of Alaska following the Gold Rush of 1897.
ID Number:2018.54.5
Date:Circa 1920-1939
Image of Straight pins in holder used by James Casey Embree, ca. 1903-1939

Straight pins in holder used by James Casey Embree, ca. 1903-1939

James Casey Embree (1881-1940) was an early Seattle civil engineer. He was responsible for surveying various Seattle neighborhoods and, from 1906-1924, he worked on the Alaskan Engineering Commission that would provide railroads to parts of Alaska following the Gold Rush of 1897.
ID Number:2018.54.6
Date:Circa 1920-1939
Image of Button pin,

Button pin, "I Rode the Talgo High Speed Train," ca. 1990s

The Spanish railroad company, Talgo, founded a North American corporate office in Seattle in 1944. Amtrak has used Talgo train cars on their Cascades Line since 1998.
ID Number:2019.40.9
Date:Circa 1990-2000
Image of Thacher's calculating instrument (cylindrical slide rule) by Keuffel & Esser, 1881

Thacher's calculating instrument (cylindrical slide rule) by Keuffel & Esser, 1881

Edwin Thacher, a civil engineer, invented this device in 1881. It is a mechanical cylindrical slide rule designed for rapid and accurate calculations, particularly for engineers and architects. The inner cylinder slides and rotates freely inside the outer cage-like cylinder. The measurements and scales are more accurate than standard slide rules, and the metal construction protects it from moisture and…
ID Number:2026.5.1
Date:1881
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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.
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