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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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272 results for: Lake Union

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Image of View northeast from Smith Tower, Seattle, circa 1914
Photograph

View northeast from Smith Tower, Seattle, circa 1914

As the tallest building west of the Mississippi, the Smith Tower, at Second Avenue and Yesler Way, offered fantastic views of Seattle and surrounding areas. In this scene Lake Union lies directly north in the distance. In the lower right corner is the dome-roofed Seattle First United Methodist Church and the gable-roofed Rainier Club. In left center rise the two…
ID Number:1983.10.9650.1
Date:Circa 1914
Image of View northeast from Smith Tower, Seattle, circa 1914
Photograph

View northeast from Smith Tower, Seattle, circa 1914

The Smith Tower at the corner of Second Avenue and Yesler Way was the tallest building outside of New York when it opened in 1914. It offered unobstructed views of the city and surrounding areas. This scene shows Queen Anne Hill at left in the distance and Lake Union directly to the north. In the lower right corner, the dome-roofed…
ID Number:1983.10.9667
Date:Circa 1914
Image of Houseboat damage on Lake Union, 1914
Photograph

Houseboat damage on Lake Union, 1914

On March 13, 1914, water from Lake Union gushed into the Lake Washington ship canal when a wooden dam in Fremont gave way. The level of the lake dropped approximately ten feet as a result of the accident. Almost 200 houseboat owners suffered losses when the receding waters left their floating homes stranded on the beach or toppled at odd…
ID Number:1983.10.9810.1
Date:1914
Image of Houseboat damage at Lake Union, Seattle, 1914
Photograph

Houseboat damage at Lake Union, Seattle, 1914

On March 13, 1914, water from Lake Union gushed into the Lake Washington ship canal when a wooden dam in Fremont gave way. The level of the lake dropped approximately ten feet as a result of the accident. Almost 200 houseboat owners suffered losses when the receding waters left their floating homes stranded on the beach or toppled at odd…
ID Number:1983.10.9810.2
Date:1914
Image of Aviator Silas Christofferson and Seattle Mayor Hiram Gill in plane on Lake Union, Seattle, July 18, 1914
Photograph

Aviator Silas Christofferson and Seattle Mayor Hiram Gill in plane on Lake Union, Seattle, July 18, 1914

In July of 1914, aviator Silas Christofferson performed a variety of stunts as part of the city’s Potlatch celebration. Mayor Gill agreed to go for his first plane ride after learning that San Francisco’s mayor had recently rode in this flying machine. The plane took off from Lake Union and circled the downtown, climbing to 1,000 feet before returning to…
ID Number:1983.10.9856
Date:1914
Image of City view and Laurelhurst from Volunteer Park, circa 1915
Photograph

City view and Laurelhurst from Volunteer Park, circa 1915

The water tower in Seattle's Volunteer Park was a favorite place for photographers and others to get good views of the city. This photo, taken around 1915, shows the view to the northeast, over the slope of Capitol Hill to Union Bay and the Laurelhurst peninsula. Kirkland and the Cascade Mountains lie in the distance. Webster & Stevens number: 43511
ID Number:1983.10.9997
Date:Circa 1915
Image of View of University of Washington campus, Seattle, 1915
Photograph

View of University of Washington campus, Seattle, 1915

In 1895 the University of Washington opened at its present location along the shores of Lake Washington and Lake Union at the new "Interlaken Campus." The first building on the new campus was Denny Hall, originally known as the Administration Building. Placed next to Denny Hall were the columns from the original Territorial University building in downtown Seattle. Edmond Meany…
ID Number:1983.10.10004.3
Date:1915
Image of Hiram Chittenden Locks under construction, 1916
Photograph

Hiram Chittenden Locks under construction, 1916

For years, there was no easy or cheap way to move logs, coal and other resources directly from the east side of Lake Washington to Elliott Bay. There were many plans and several attempts to build a canal via Lake Union. However, none was successful until the Lake Washington Ship Canal was built in 1911 to 1917.The Hiram Chittenden Locks…
ID Number:1983.10.10086
Date:1916
Image of Ballard locks under construction, Seattle, 1916
Photograph

Ballard locks under construction, Seattle, 1916

For years, there was no easy or cheap way to move logs, coal, and other resources directly from the east side of Lake Washington to Elliott Bay. There were many plans and several attempts to build a canal via Lake Union. However, none was successful until the Lake Washington Ship Canal was built in 1911 to 1917. The Hiram Chittenden…
ID Number:1983.10.10314
Date:1916
Image of Releasing water from Lake Union into the Montlake Cut, August 26, 1916
Photograph

Releasing water from Lake Union into the Montlake Cut, August 26, 1916

The Montlake Cut is part of the Lake Washington Ship Canal that connects Puget Sound, Lake Union, and Lake Washington. While digging the Montlake Cut, engineers built a temporary dam to hold back the waters of Lake Union's Portage Bay.In this photo, a crowd of onlookers watches as the temporary dam at Portage Bay is broken. Webster & Stevens number:…
ID Number:1983.10.10325
Date:1916
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Land Acknowledgement

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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