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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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83 results for: Great Seattle Fire (1889)

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Image of Various coins melted in the Great Seattle Fire of 1889

Various coins melted in the Great Seattle Fire of 1889

The Great Fire of June 6, 1889 was a significant turning point in Seattle's history and changed both the physical and political landscapes of the city. The fire started in a paint and woodwork shop at Front and Madison and swept southward across 100 acres of Seattle's business district and waterfront. The inferno completely consumed the business district's wooden buildings,…
ID Number:1983.50.2
Date:Circa 1880
Image of Metal relic from the Great Seattle Fire, 1889

Metal relic from the Great Seattle Fire, 1889

The Great Seattle Fire of 1889 burned many of the city's blocks to the ground and left countless damaged items in its wake including this unidentified burnt metal relic, possibly a cup.
ID Number:1983.50.3
Date:Circa 1880
Image of Child's milk mug that burned in the Seattle Fire of 1889

Child's milk mug that burned in the Seattle Fire of 1889

The Great Fire of June 6, 1889 was a significant turning point in Seattle's history and changed both the physical and political landscapes of the city. The fire started in a paint and woodwork shop at Front and Madison and swept southward across 100 acres of Seattle's business district and waterfront. The inferno completely consumed the business district's wooden buildings,…
ID Number:1984.29
Date:Circa 1880
Image of Ceramic spoon that was burned in the Seattle Fire of 1889

Ceramic spoon that was burned in the Seattle Fire of 1889

The Great Fire of June 6, 1889 was a significant turning point in Seattle's history and changed both the physical and political landscapes of the city. The fire started in a paint and woodwork shop at Front and Madison and swept southward across 100 acres of Seattle's business district and waterfront. The inferno completely consumed the business district's wooden buildings,…
ID Number:1984.66.35
Date:Circa 1880
Image of Stack of dishes melted in the Great Seattle Fire, 1889

Stack of dishes melted in the Great Seattle Fire, 1889

The Great Seattle Fire of 1889 burned many of the city's blocks to the ground and left countless damaged items in its wake including this mass of broken and burned dishes.
ID Number:1985.93
Date:Circa 1880
Image of Wooden nutcracker soldier from Frederick & Nelson, ca. 1980s

Wooden nutcracker soldier from Frederick & Nelson, ca. 1980s

Frederick & Nelson, founded by Donald E. Frederick (1860-1937) and Nels B. Nelson (1854-1907) in 1891, was for many years Seattle's premier department store. They began by selling used furniture during the rebuilding of Seattle after the Great Fire of 1889, and expanded to include home delivery of goods, a tea room, and ready-to-wear men's and women's fashions. The holidays…
ID Number:1993.43.77
Date:Circa 1980
Image of Melted pile of marbles from the Great Seattle Fire, 1889, once belonged to Amos Burgert, a Seattle hardware store owner during the time of the fire

Melted pile of marbles from the Great Seattle Fire, 1889, once belonged to Amos Burgert, a Seattle hardware store owner during the time of the fire

This relic from the Great Seattle Fire was owned by Amos Burgert, a Seattle hardware store owner at the time of the Great Seattle Fire.
ID Number:2013.14.1
Date:Circa 1880
Image of Post Hotel sign, ca. 1930s

Post Hotel sign, ca. 1930s

After the Great Fire of 1889 destroyed many of the wooden buildings in Seattle, the Post Hotel was constructed in brick in 1899-1900 on the corner of Post Avenue and Yesler Way. The hotel had small rooms and housed late gold rush seekers heading to the Klondike in Alaska, and accomodated "comfort ladies" as well.
ID Number:2015.66.1
Date:Circa 1930
Image of Matchbook from Frederick & Nelson, ca. 1950

Matchbook from Frederick & Nelson, ca. 1950

Frederick & Nelson, founded by Donald E. Frederick (1860-1937) and Nels B. Nelson (1854-1907) in 1891, was for many years Seattle's premier department store. They began by selling used furniture during the rebuilding of Seattle after the Great Fire of 1889, and expanded to include home delivery of goods, a tea room, and ready-to-wear men's and women's fashions. In 1992,…
ID Number:2016.20.27
Date:Circa 1950
Image of Key fob from the Palace Hotel on 1st Avenue in Seattle, ca. 1950

Key fob from the Palace Hotel on 1st Avenue in Seattle, ca. 1950

The Palace Hotel was built in 1874 on what is now 1st Avenue (formerly Front Street) between Marian and Madison Streets. It survived the Great Seattle Fire in 1889 and was a stopping point for miners heading to the Alaskan Klondike Gold Rush in 1896-1899. The donor's parents leased and managed the hotel from 1949-1958. The donor recounts many stories…
ID Number:2017.30.1
Date:Circa 1950
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