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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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768 results for: Businesses and Corporations

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Image of Manning's coffee bag, circa 1935
Ephemera

Manning's coffee bag, circa 1935

Brothers Edward McClure Manning (1872-1956) and William Wayland Manning (1874-1938) began selling freshly roasted coffee beans from a small stall in the Pike Place Market in 1908. Soon, they started offering customers cups of brewed coffee, and before long Manning's expanded its menu to include baked goods and full cafeteria service. By around 1950, the company had ten restaurants in…
ID Number:1974.5919.135
Date:Circa 1935
Image of Lawrence Calvert, Seattle, circa 1933
Photograph

Lawrence Calvert, Seattle, circa 1933

Lawrence Cragin Calvert was born in Seattle in 1897, attended Broadway High School, and graduated from the University of Washington. From 1933 to 63, he was president of the San Juan Fishing and Packing Company, a business initially started by his father. Calvert was also president of American Mail Line and director of Pacific National Bank during his lifetime. As…
ID Number:1974.5923.62
Date:Circa 1933
Image of Victor Denny Jr., Seattle, circa 1930
Photograph

Victor Denny Jr., Seattle, circa 1930

Victor Denny Jr. (1903-1979) was the grandson of Seattle pioneers David and Louisa Denny. He headed the Seattle office of Blyth & Co., an investment firm, for many years. He was also United States Tennis Association president from 1958-1959, and president of the Pacific Northwest Tennis Association for thirteen years. This portrait of Denny is part of a collection from…
ID Number:1974.5923.94
Date:Circa 1930
Image of Holsum Baking Co. employees pose in front of factory, Seattle, circa 1914
Photograph

Holsum Baking Co. employees pose in front of factory, Seattle, circa 1914

The Holsum Baking Company of Seattle incorporated in 1912, but went bankrupt just four years later amid allegations of fraud. The company was bought out by Seattle Baking Company, who ran a series of advertisements in 1921 called, "A Trip Through the Largest Modern Bakery in the Pacific Northwest." The Seattle Baking Company manufactured "Queenann," "Butter-Nut" and "Holsum" breads, and…
ID Number:1975.6000.1
Date:Circa 1914
Image of Sherman Printing & Binding Co. business card, circa 1936
Ephemera

Sherman Printing & Binding Co. business card, circa 1936

The Sherman Printing & Binding Co. was founded in Seattle by Alonzo A. Sherman around 1911. Sherman had worked at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer in the late 1890s and then worked as a printer in Spokane from about 1900-1905. Returning to Seattle, he worked for the Metropolitan Press and the Seattle Daily Star before opening his own business around 1908, first…
ID Number:1976.6296.25
Date:Circa 1936
Image of Peterson Men's Shop advertisement, circa 1935
Ephemera

Peterson Men's Shop advertisement, circa 1935

Joseph A. Peterson (circa 1877-1951) and George W. Blanchard (1877-1956) both worked at Edward C. Cheasty's men's clothing shop on Second and James in Seattle in the early 1900s, where they got to know dozens of customers and their clothing preferences, and provided personalized attention based on individual style. Blanchard left after 18 years to go into the neckwear business,…
ID Number:1976.6296.26
Date:Circa 1935
Image of Frederick & Nelson account statement, December 1908
Document

Frederick & Nelson account statement, December 1908

The founders of premiere Seattle department store Frederick & Nelson got their start selling used furniture during the rebuilding of Seattle after the Great Fire of 1889. The business expanded to include home delivery of goods, a tea room, and ready-to-wear men's and women's fashions. The owners built a reputation for elegance and customer service. Although the company went out…
ID Number:1976.6359.1
Date:1908
Image of Anderson Supply Co. photo catalog, circa 1910
Ephemera

Anderson Supply Co. photo catalog, circa 1910

Seattle entrepreneur Oliver Phelps Anderson (1859-1941) was the son of Alexander Jay Anderson (1832-1903), president of the Washington Territorial University (now University of Washington) from 1877-1882. Oliver trained as a draughtsman and by 1890 had started a civil engineering and map publishing business, O. P. Anderson & Company (later O. P. Anderson Map & Blue Print Company). An avid amateur…
ID Number:1977.6486.3.8.1
Date:Circa 1910
Image of Business card for the Hotel Norman, Seattle, circa 1912
Ephemera

Business card for the Hotel Norman, Seattle, circa 1912

The Hotel Norman was located at the corner of Yesler Way and First Avenue, at a time when the busy Pioneer Square neighborhood was a vital part of Seattle's commercial life. Advertised here as "A First Class Hotel For Men," the establishment rented rooms for 25-50 cents per night, and boasted electric light, steam heat, and baths.
ID Number:1977.6486.3.8.2
Date:Circa 1912
Image of Sylvester Brothers Company invoice, Seattle, June 21, 1910
Document

Sylvester Brothers Company invoice, Seattle, June 21, 1910

Sylvester Brothers Company, Wholesale Grocers, was located in Pioneer Square at 312-316 Second Avenue South, occupying the Moses Building. The Moses Building was originally constructed in 1900 for Mrs. Sarah Moses and still stands with a historical site designation. The building was originally five stories, but lost its top two stories in the 1949 Seattle earthquake. The letterhead of this…
ID Number:1977.6531.1
Date:1910
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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
Phone: 206 324 1126
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