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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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316 results for: Recreation

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Image of Beacon Hill Playground, Seattle, circa 1912
Photograph

Beacon Hill Playground, Seattle, circa 1912

This image shows Beacon Hill Playground at 1902 13th Ave S, adjacent to Beacon Hill Elementary School and near the northern end of Beacon Hill. The park was originally built around the beginning of the 20th century and was expanded in 1909 under the direction of the Olmsted Brothers. The southern half of the playground had previously been a waterworks…
ID Number:1983.10.9390
Date:Circa 1912
Image of Lake Washington Boulevard at Mount Baker, circa 1913
Photograph

Lake Washington Boulevard at Mount Baker, circa 1913

In 1903, the Olmsted Brothers, a noted firm of New York landscape architects, produced a plan for Seattle's parks. Part of this plan involved a boulevard winding along the western shore of Lake Washington from the university campus to Seward Park.This photo, taken around 1913, shows a stretch of Lake Washington Boulevard at the foot of College Street in the…
ID Number:1983.10.9642
Date:Circa 1913
Image of Mount Baker Park, Seattle, circa 1914
Photograph

Mount Baker Park, Seattle, circa 1914

Handwritten on sleeve: Mt. Baker Park.Photographer's Reference Number: 36471
ID Number:1983.10.9705
Date:Circa 1914
Image of Nisqually Glacier, Rainier National Park, May 1915
Photograph

Nisqually Glacier, Rainier National Park, May 1915

Starting around 1915, The Seattle Times ran a series of articles describing auto tours Seattle drivers could make to nearby scenic spots. One of these ran to Mount Rainier and included a stop at Nisqually Glacier. The newspaper reported, "a walk of five minutes takes the visitor to the very mouth of the glacier from which shoots the Nisqually River.…
ID Number:1983.10.10044
Date:1915
Image of Women visiting Volunteer Park Water Tower, circa 1925
Photograph

Women visiting Volunteer Park Water Tower, circa 1925

In 1901, Seattle's Water Department built a reservoir at Volunteer Park to supply water to the growing city. The department added a water tower in 1906. Both are built on the highest part of Capitol Hill. As of 2018, climbing the tower's 106 steps for a good view in all directions remains a popular activity for Seattle residents and visitors.…
ID Number:1983.10.10114.1
Date:Circa 1925
Image of Carousel at Luna Park, Seattle, circa 1913
Photograph

Carousel at Luna Park, Seattle, circa 1913

In 1906, construction began on Luna Park at Alki Point in West Seattle. Named for Coney Island's Luna Park, it extended out over the water. From 1907 to 1913, adults and children flocked to the amusement park to enjoy its carousel, roller coaster, dancing, swimming, drinking, and other pleasures. The park's developer Charles Looff hand-carved the carousel figures. Luna Park…
ID Number:1983.10.10292.3
Date:Circa 1913
Image of Sack race at Rotary Club picnic, Seattle, 1917
Photograph

Sack race at Rotary Club picnic, Seattle, 1917

Handwritten on sleeve: Rotary Club Picnic - Games.Webster & Stevens number: 18168
ID Number:1983.10.10498.2
Date:1917
Image of Girls on a horse at Mount Rainier National Park, circa 1917
Photograph

Girls on a horse at Mount Rainier National Park, circa 1917

After the road from Longmire Springs to Paradise was finished in 1915, this part of Mount Rainier National Park became very popular with tourists. Adults and children had lots of outdoor activities to choose from. They could go hiking or horseback riding on the many miles of trails or just sit and enjoy the mountain air.In this photo, taken around…
ID Number:1983.10.10628
Date:Circa 1917
Image of Campers in Woodland Park, circa 1919
Photograph

Campers in Woodland Park, circa 1919

As cars got less expensive and people had more free time, many people started to take car camping vacations. They camped in farmyards, by the roadside, or in city parks. Cities and towns soon started building organized campgrounds. In 1920, Seattle's park department opened an "Automobile Tourist Camp" in the northern part of Woodland Park, overlooking Green Lake.This photo shows…
ID Number:1983.10.10781
Date:1918
Image of Woman paddling canoe on Green Lake, Seattle, 1923
Photograph

Woman paddling canoe on Green Lake, Seattle, 1923

In this image, an unidentified woman paddles a canoe on Green Lake, a freshwater lake in north central Seattle. The lake has long been a recreation area for residents of the city; an electric trolley reached the south end of the lake about 1891, and in 1903 the lake was included in the Olmsted Brothers' comprehensive parks plan. The lake…
ID Number:1983.10.11287.2
Date:1923
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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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