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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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406 results for: Construction and Urban Planning

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Image of Building the locks at Ballard, circa 1915
Photograph

Building the locks at Ballard, circa 1915

Ground was broken for the Lake Washington Ship Canal locks in 1911, and the first concrete was poured for the lock chambers in 1913. This photo, taken between 1913 and 1916, shows the construction of the thick concrete lock walls. Concrete is being moved along the track in huge buckets. Workmen are backfilling the space between the concrete walls and…
ID Number:1983.10.9778
Date:Circa 1915
Image of Construction of the County-City Building, first phase, circa 1914
Photograph

Construction of the County-City Building, first phase, circa 1914

On June 11, 1914, county commissioners, contractors, and citizens gathered in downtown Seattle and officially broke ground for King County and Seattle's new County-City Building. Over the next few months, workmen moved nearly 57,000 cubic yards of dirt and then started to pour the 192 reinforced concrete footing piers.This 1914 photo, taken during the earthmoving phase of the project, shows…
ID Number:1983.10.9812.2
Date:Circa 1914
Image of Road into Bothell, circa 1914
Photograph

Road into Bothell, circa 1914

In the early part of the 20th century, roads outside larger cities were generally unpaved, with deep ruts and rocks. In this photo, taken around 1914, three men are grading a new road outside Bothell by dragging three split logs behind a car. The town can be seen in the distant right. Webster & Stevens number: 43169
ID Number:1983.10.9950
Date:Circa 1914
Image of Grain elevator under construction, Seattle, 1915
Photograph

Grain elevator under construction, Seattle, 1915

Handwritten on sleeve: Grain Elevator 1915.Webster & Stevens number: 44198
ID Number:1983.10.10059
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 Ship canal locks under construction, 1915
Photograph

Ship canal locks under construction, 1915

Ground was broken for the Lake Washington Ship Canal locks in 1911, and the first concrete was poured for the lock chambers in 1913. The first ship traveled through the locks in 1916.This photo, taken in 1915, shows the two lock chambers under construction. A steam dredge digs the channel (foreground) near a temporary dam built to keep the tide…
ID Number:1983.10.10109
Date:1915
Image of Construction of the County-City Building, first phase, circa 1916
Photograph

Construction of the County-City Building, first phase, circa 1916

In 1916, the new King County Courthouse and Municipal Building, also called the County-City Building, opened on Third Avenue at Jefferson Street in downtown Seattle. The building was designed by Seattle architect Augustus Warren Gould.This 1916 photo shows the new County-City building in downtown Seattle shortly before completion. Jefferson Street and the park across the street are still littered with…
ID Number:1983.10.10254
Date:Circa 1916
Image of Times Square Building during construction, Seattle, 1916
Photograph

Times Square Building during construction, Seattle, 1916

The Times Square Building is located in downtown Seattle on a triangular-shaped block bordered by Fifth Avenue, Olive Way, and Stewart Street. Designed by architects Bebb and Gould in the Italianate style, the five-story building was completed in 1916 and became a Seattle Historic Landmark in 1984.This image of the Times Building, seen here while under construction, was taken facing…
ID Number:1983.10.10286.2
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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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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