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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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506 results for: Government and Public Services

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Image of Story hour at Collins Playground, circa 1912
Photograph

Story hour at Collins Playground, circa 1912

Collins Playground, on South Main Street and Fourteenth Avenue South was the site of the Seattle Public Library's first extension programs for children. Librarians traveled to the playground for story hours and other activities. By 1911, the library was presenting programs at five city playgrounds.In this photo, taken about 1912, children are listening to a library story program at Seattle's…
ID Number:1983.10.8411
Date:Circa 1912
Image of Street sweeper, circa 1912
Photograph

Street sweeper, circa 1912

Before 1908, when the city of Seattle took over the maintenance of city streets, streets were cleaned (or not cleaned) by local residents and business owners. Manure was a particular problem because most vehicles of the time were pulled by horses and other animals. The city hired people to clean the manure and garbage from the streets. In this photo,…
ID Number:1983.10.8653.1
Date:Circa 1912
Image of Water tower at Volunteer Park, 1913
Photograph

Water tower at Volunteer Park, 1913

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. The 75-foot tower had an observation level on the top. It was a popular activity for Seattle residents and visitors to climb the tower's…
ID Number:1983.10.8731.1
Date:1913
Image of Fire Station No. 22, Seattle, circa 1910
Photograph

Fire Station No. 22, Seattle, circa 1910

When Fire Station No. 22 was built on Seattle's Capitol Hill in 1909, it housed firemen and a horse-drawn hose wagon. The station's hilltop location was an advantage because the horses could easily race downhill to fires. A motor pumper replaced the horse-drawn hose wagon in 1924, and the old fire station was replaced by a new one on East…
ID Number:1983.10.8738.2
Date:Circa 1910
Image of Mayor Hiram C. Gill, circa 1911
Photograph

Mayor Hiram C. Gill, circa 1911

Hiram Gill was one of Seattle's more colorful and controversial mayors. He was elected for the first time in 1910, but was recalled in a 1911 special election. This was because he didn't enforce laws against the city's widespread gampling and prostitution. Washington women had been able to vote since 1910, and their vote was particularly important in putting Gill…
ID Number:1983.10.8878
Date:Circa 1911
Image of Fire Station No. 22, 1910
Photograph

Fire Station No. 22, 1910

When Fire Station No. 22 was built on Seattle's Capitol Hill in 1909, it housed firemen and a horse-drawn hose wagon. The station's hilltop location was an advantage because the horses could easily race downhill to fires. A motor pumper replaced the horse-drawn hose wagon in 1924, and the old fire station was replaced by a new one on East…
ID Number:1983.10.8964
Date:1910
Image of University Branch Library, Seattle, circa 1910
Photograph

University Branch Library, Seattle, circa 1910

In 1910, the Seattle Public Library opened the first of its branch libraries. These were built with money donated by Andrew Carnegie, the Philadelphia industrialist. One was the University Branch, on Roosevelt Way NE at 50th Street. Handwritten on sleeve: Seattle Public Lib. Univ. Branch.Webster & Stevens number: 18513
ID Number:1983.10.9092.2
Date:Circa 1910
Image of Seattle Public Library, Seattle, circa 1910
Photograph

Seattle Public Library, Seattle, circa 1910

The city of Seattle established a public library in 1890 after several earlier attempts by private citizens. The library was housed in various places and finally ended up in the Yesler Mansion, just uphill from its current site. After the mansion burned in 1901, industrialist Andrew Carnegie donated $200,000 for a new building which opened in 1906. The Carnegie Library…
ID Number:1983.10.9095
Date:Circa 1910
Image of Overturned fire engine, Seattle, circa 1910
Photograph

Overturned fire engine, Seattle, circa 1910

Handwritten on sleeve: Wrecked Fire Engine & Service Truck.Webster & Stevens number: 18997
ID Number:1983.10.9113.1
Date:Circa 1910
Image of Columbia Branch Library interior, Seattle, circa 1915
Photograph

Columbia Branch Library interior, Seattle, circa 1915

The Columbia Branch of the Seattle Public Library opened in the Columbia city hall in 1909. Three years later, the city purchased a site for a separate library building, with the help of local citizens. The new branch opened in 1915 at Rainier Avenue and Alaska Street. Like a number of other Seattle libraries, the Columbia Branch was built with…
ID Number:1983.10.9205
Date:Circa 1915
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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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