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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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154 results for: Transportation

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Image of Life preserver ring from sailing vessel Fantome, ca. 1930s-1950s

Life preserver ring from sailing vessel Fantome, ca. 1930s-1950s

The schooner Fantome was built in 1927 and was moored in Portage Bay from the late 1930s until the 1950s. She changed ownership many times, belonging to the Guiness family during most of her time in Seattle.
ID Number:1961.2489.6
Date:Circa 1930-1950
Image of Railroad combination punch and register, ca. 1874

Railroad combination punch and register, ca. 1874

Mr. John Booth Button, a conductor on the Front Street Cable Railway around 1900, used this punch to check in the cable car riders. It rings a bell each time is it used.
ID Number:1961.2491.1
Date:Circa 1874
Image of Ship's bell from the SS Victoria, formerly the passenger liner Parthia, 1870

Ship's bell from the SS Victoria, formerly the passenger liner Parthia, 1870

The Parthia was built at Dunbarton-on-the-Clyde, Scotland, in 1870, and was a London-New York passenger liner for her first ten years. She continued as a passenger service in various parts of the world until 1892, when she was renamed the "Victoria." At that time, she served passage to and from Asia and Tacoma, Washington. In 1904, the ship was sold…
ID Number:1962.2514
Date:1870
Image of Ship's Bell,

Ship's Bell, "Hikawa Maru," 1929

The "Hikawa Maru," owned by Nippon Ysen Kaisha, was the first modern Japanese passenger vessel in the North Paciific and the last. It launched on September 30, 1929, in Yokohama, Japan, and it's final voyage was on September 17, 1960, from Seattle.
ID Number:1962.2602.1
Date:1929
Image of Airplane propeller, ca. 1920

Airplane propeller, ca. 1920

Now one of the world's largest aircraft manufacturers, Boeing was incorporated in Seattle in 1916 by William Boeing. This type of propeller was used by Boeing when they started a one-room assembly plant in Seattle. Earl Munger owned this propeller and he was one of the original stockholders in the company. He flew for Boeing in its early years and…
ID Number:1962.2790
Date:Circa 1920
Image of Hamilton propeller from Boeing B-1, 1920-1924

Hamilton propeller from Boeing B-1, 1920-1924

The B-1 was the first aircraft designed and assembled entirely by the Boeing Airplane Company for commercial rather than military purposes. Beginning in 1920, the plane was used on the first regularly scheduled international airmail route between Seattle and Victoria. This propeller made by Hamilton Aero Manufacturing Company was used on the Boeing B-1, and there is a consideration that…
ID Number:1963.2886
Date:1920-1924
Image of Boeing

Boeing "Kaydet" model airplane, ca. 1934

The Boeing "Kaydet" was the first completely standardized primary training plane used by both the Army and Navy.
ID Number:1963.2899.1
Date:Circa 1934
Image of Bench seat from a Seattle streetcar, ca. 1900-1940

Bench seat from a Seattle streetcar, ca. 1900-1940

This wooden, two-person bench seat is the from the last electric streetcar on the Phinney line. The line was discontinued in 1941.
ID Number:1963.3086
Date:1900-1940
Image of Seattle World's Fair monorail uniform, 1962

Seattle World's Fair monorail uniform, 1962

During the 1962 World’s Fair, attendants at the Monorail wore these uniforms which were made by Seattle company Sportcaster. The cut of the top and skirt are in keeping with 1962 styles, but the triangle front has a futuristic flair. The fair was on the leading edge of a futuristic craze in popular culture and in fashion. The cartoon show…
ID Number:1963.3119.94C1055
Date:1962
Image of Street flare or highway torch from the City of Seattle Water Dept., ca. 1950

Street flare or highway torch from the City of Seattle Water Dept., ca. 1950

Prior to the invention of reflective markers and strobe lights, the Seattle Water Department used round metal "smudge pot" highway torches that burned oil, such as this example from the 1950s.
ID Number:1963.3131.2
Date:Circa 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.
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Phone: 206 324 1126
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