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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 Wool evening coat sold by J. S. Graham, ca. 1890

Wool evening coat sold by J. S. Graham, ca. 1890

This elaborate wool coat would be warm enough for a Seattle winter, but fancy enough to wear for an evening at the theater. It was purchased from retailer J. S. Graham, which opened just after the Great Seattle Fire of 1889.J. S. Graham was a women’s specialty store and owner John Graham made routine buying trips to New York to…
ID Number:C108
Date:Circa 1890
Image of Glue pot that started the

Glue pot that started the "Great Seattle Fire" in June, 1889

On June 6, 1889, in the basement of the Pontius Building at the corner of Madison Street and Front Street (now First Avenue), a simple carpenters glue pot in a cabinet shop boiled over, and the foamy mass on the stovetop ignited wood shavings, containers of paint and turpentine in the shop, and in moments the building was in flames.…
ID Number:L14.1987.GluePot
Date:Circa 1880
Image of Black straw hat, 1919

Black straw hat, 1919

This hat was sold by Seattle retailer J.S. Graham. Owner John Graham opened the business just after the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. His business grew through the years, and by 1910 he had a store on the corner of Second Ave and Spring Street where he specialized in clothing for women and children. Graham made routine buying trips to…
ID Number:M104
Date:1919
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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
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