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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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6 results for: Washington Statehood, 1889

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Image of Governor Elisha Ferry, circa 1891
Photograph

Governor Elisha Ferry, circa 1891

Elisha Peyre Ferry (1825-1895) was the first governor of Washington State. Ferry was a Republican lawyer who had twice been Governor of Washington Territory, the only one to serve two terms. On Washington's admission as a state on November 11, 1889, he became its inaugural governor. In his first summer, he had to supervise the rebuilding of three major cities…
ID Number:1957.1284.5
Date:Circa 1891
Image of Voters' Register Book, First Precinct, First Ward, Seattle, 1892
Book

Voters' Register Book, First Precinct, First Ward, Seattle, 1892

Several months after gaining statehood in 1889, Washington legislators passed an “act to provide for and to regulate the registration of voters in cities.” This act required Washington State electors living in cities with populations over 250 to annually register to vote in that year’s elections. A required “Notice to Register” ran in newspapers for 10 days at the beginning…
ID Number:1979.6833.1
Date:1892
Image of Panorama of Seattle, 1878
Photograph

Panorama of Seattle, 1878

This image of Seattle faces southeast across Pike Street, toward Mount Rainier, which is just visible beyond Beacon Hill. According to "Choir's Pioneer Directory," at the time of this photo Seattle had 4,681 residents, 586 buildings, and seven miles of wooden sidewalks. The large square building in the upper left corner of the frame is the Territorial University, built in…
ID Number:1980.6923.38
Date:1878
Image of Inauguration of Governor Elisha Peyre Ferry, Olympia, November 11, 1889
Photograph

Inauguration of Governor Elisha Peyre Ferry, Olympia, November 11, 1889

Elisha Peyre Ferry (1825-1895) was the first governor of Washington State. Ferry was a Republican lawyer who had twice been Governor of Washington Territory, the only one to serve two terms. On Washington's admission as a state on November 11, 1889, he became its inaugural governor. In his first summer, he had to supervise the rebuilding of three major cities…
ID Number:SHS174
Date:1889
Image of University of Washington graduating class, Seattle, 1898
Photograph

University of Washington graduating class, Seattle, 1898

In 1858 one of Seattle's founders, Arthur A. Denny (1822-1899), successfully petitioned the Washington Territorial Legislature to select Seattle as the location for a new university. Seeing this as a chance to add to the city's potential and prestige, a site was chosen on Denny's Knoll that now houses the Fairmont Olympic Hotel. The Territorial University of Washington opened in…
ID Number:SHS1514
Date:1898
Image of Wagner's First Regiment Band, Seattle, 1889
Photograph

Wagner's First Regiment Band, Seattle, 1889

Cornetist Theodore H. “Dad” Wagner arrived in Seattle in the mid-1880s. As leader of the Second Regiment National Guard Band, Wagner’s band gained community fame by providing free concerts at Pioneer Square after Seattle’s Great Fire of 1889. That same year, he led the First Regiment Washington National Guard Band in celebration of Washington’s statehood. His own band, Dad Wagner’s…
ID Number:SHS2514
Date:1889

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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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