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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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283 results for: Retail and Department Stores

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Image of Bon Marche Santa Claus, 1918
Photograph

Bon Marche Santa Claus, 1918

At Christmastime, many Seattle children visited The Bon Marche and other department stores to spend time with Santa Claus. In this 1918 photo, two boys and a girl pose with Santa at The Bon Marche. They are surrounded by blocks, musical instruments, and lots of other toys. Webster & Stevens number: 66050
ID Number:1983.10.10776
Date:1918
Image of Golden Gate Store and Circulating Library, Alaska, 1905
Photograph

Golden Gate Store and Circulating Library, Alaska, 1905

In Alaska, many general stores still carry a little bit of everything, from thread and canned goods to boots and library books.This 1905 photo, taken during the Nome gold rush, shows an Alaskan Native man and boy sitting on the wooden sidewalk outside the Golden Gate Store. Baskets, furs, dolls, and other souvenirs cover the outside of the building. Even…
ID Number:1983.10.13147
Date:1905
Image of Frederick & Nelson window titled,
Photograph

Frederick & Nelson window titled, "Women at Work for Victory," 1942

During World War II, Seattle's Frederick & Nelson department store regularly supported the Allied war effort in its display windows.The window in this 1944 photo celebrated the women who built planes at Boeing and worked in other war industries. The mannequins wear the kind of clothing which women wore in the factories. On the back wall, posters push for higher…
ID Number:1983.10.14449.7
Date:1942
Image of Interior of Lawrence Moore Jewelers, Seattle, 1910
Photograph

Interior of Lawrence Moore Jewelers, Seattle, 1910

A prominent jeweler in Seattle for many years, Lawrence L. Moore eventually sold his company in 1914 to search for oil in Washington - specifically in Ballard.Image shows the interior of Lawrence L. Moore Co., Jewelers located in 1910 at 904 Second Ave Seattle, their third location. Originally at 705 Second Ave, they moved to 900 Second Ave in July…
ID Number:1984.95.1
Date:1910
Audio recording

Oral history interview with Olive Smith and Jean Sprague, March 12, 1985

Olive Smith was a model for clothing in Seattle. Jean Sprague was a buyer for Seattle department stores. In this interview conducted by Lorraine McConaghy for the Life on the Homefront Oral History Project on March 12, 1985, the two women talk about wartime fashion, including local department stores such as Frederick & Nelson; the effect of wartime restrictions on…
ID Number:1985.134.24
Date:1985
Videorecording

Oral history interview with Mike Dederer, July-August 1985

Michael Dederer (1905-1995) built the Seattle Fur Exchange into one of the foremost fur auctions in the country and an international presence in the industry. Born in Canada, Dederer moved with his family to Montana in 1914. Working at a department store while still in high school, Dederer had developed an interest in the fur trade. Shortly after moving to…
ID Number:1985.135.7
Date:1985
Videorecording

Oral history interview with Elmer Nordstrom, 1985

Elmer J. Nordstrom (1904 – 1993) was co-president, with his two brothers, of the Nordstrom department store chain founded by his father, John W. Nordstrom. Born in Seattle, Nordstrom graduated from Broadway High School in 1923, and from the University of Washington. In 1928, John W. Nordstrom retired and sold his shares of the store he owned with Carl Wallin,…
ID Number:1985.135.19
Date:1985
Videorecording

Oral history interview with William S. Street, 1985

William S. "Bill" Street, (1904-2000) was a department store executive who was president of Seattle's Frederick & Nelson store from 1946 to 1962. He also served as vice-president of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce. Street retired to chair the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair (Century 21 Exposition). In 1963, he became president of United Pacific (later Univar), which had interests in…
ID Number:1985.135.26
Date:1985
Image of Interior of a souvenir shop filled with fairgoers on closing day, Seattle World's Fair, October 21, 1962
Photograph

Interior of a souvenir shop filled with fairgoers on closing day, Seattle World's Fair, October 21, 1962

A souvenir shop is crowded with shoppers on the closing day of the Seattle World's Fair. Visitors often brought their own shopping bags to fill with bargains as prices were marked down during the last days of the fair. Date photograph was filed at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (date of photograph and file date may differ by a month or more):…
ID Number:1986.5.2652.1
Date:1962
Image of John Eaton adjusting hats on display, Seattle, circa 1960
Photograph

John Eaton adjusting hats on display, Seattle, circa 1960

Cornish School of Arts graduate John Eaton (1914-1991) was a successful milliner, designer, and teacher whose individually-styled hats became known all over the country. Eaton and business partner James Neher opened their first store in 1950, and eventually opened “John Eaton Of Course!” at 509 Pine Street, across the street from Frederick & Nelson. The store closed in 1988.In this…
ID Number:1986.5.3934.1
Date:Circa 1960
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