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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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593 results for: Maritime

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Image of Departure of the steamer
Photograph

Departure of the steamer "Mexico" for the Klondike, 1897

On July 17, 1897, the steamer "Portland" arrived in Seattle with a large amount of gold from the Klondike. This set off a stampede of people wanting to go north to the gold fields. The steamer "Mexico" left Seattle on July 25th loaded with people and supplies. This was the ship's last voyage. It was wrecked in Alaskan waters on…
ID Number:1983.10.6057
Date:1900
Image of Yesler's Wharf after a blizzard, January 1880
Photograph

Yesler's Wharf after a blizzard, January 1880

Seattle's record snowstorm began on January 5, 1880. Eight days later, the snow was a record 5 feet 4 inches deep. In this photo, the snow covers the rooftops, ship spars, and hillsides. The owner of the wooden building in the center tried to prop up his building with poles, but the snow was so heavy that the roof collapsed.…
ID Number:1983.10.6117.1
Date:1880
Image of Talbot Coal Company wharf and Yesler's Wharf, 1878
Photograph

Talbot Coal Company wharf and Yesler's Wharf, 1878

In the 1870s, coal from Renton was shipped from Seattle to San Francisco. Steamers loaded with coal on the trip south returned to Seattle filled with goods for the growing city.This photo, taken around 1878, shows the pier at the Talbot Coal Company's Seattle yard. The Talbot coal pier was just one of several coal docks at the Seattle waterfront…
ID Number:1983.10.6141
Date:1878
Image of Downtown Seattle from waterfront, circa 1875
Photograph

Downtown Seattle from waterfront, circa 1875

In the 1870s and 1880s several wharves were built along the waterfront, as white settlers looked to ship lumber and coal. This photo features the construction of one of these docks. Original photo copied by Webster & Stevens.Handwritten on sleeve: Waterfront looking east from ocean dock construct.Webster & Stevens number: 136X
ID Number:1983.10.6254
Date:Circa 1875
Image of Ships on waterfront, Seattle, circa 1911
Photograph

Ships on waterfront, Seattle, circa 1911

This photo features several ships along the waterfront and other signs of a working waterfront in the early twentieth century. Handwritten on sleeve: Shipping in Harbor.Photographer's Reference Number: 13
ID Number:1983.10.6541
Date:Circa 1911
Image of Alki Avenue, Seattle, circa 1911
Photograph

Alki Avenue, Seattle, circa 1911

This view looks north along Railroad Avenue and shows the ferry terminal. The car line and tide-washed "road" under the trestle and alongside the lowlands had been named Railroad Avenue, but by 1910 was renamed Alki Avenue. Signs in image: Elliott Bay Yacht & Engine Co. Inc. - General Boat Building & Repairing, Marine Ways. Boat Building & Repairing -…
ID Number:1983.10.6599
Date:Circa 1911
Image of Man inside Oriental Dock warehouse, Seattle, 1911
Photograph

Man inside Oriental Dock warehouse, Seattle, 1911

Handwritten on sleeve: Oriental Dock Whse Int 1911.Photographer's Reference Number: 277
ID Number:1983.10.6619
Date:1911
Image of Ships in Eagle Harbor, circa 1910
Photograph

Ships in Eagle Harbor, circa 1910

In 1902, the Hall Brothers moved its shipyard from Port Blakely to Winslow, on Eagle Harbor, so that it could expand. At Eagle Harbor, Hall Brothers built lumber schooners, sternwheelers, and propeller-driven steamers. Although the Halls sold their business in 1916, area shipbuilding continued until 1959. Workers modernized older ships and built minesweepers for World War II. This photo, probably…
ID Number:1983.10.6625
Date:Circa 1910
Image of Madison Park docks, Seattle, circa 1911
Photograph

Madison Park docks, Seattle, circa 1911

Madison Park, at the end of the Madison Street cable car line, was one of Seattle's privately-developed "trolley parks." In addition to a ferry landing, it had a pavilion, a boathouse, picnic areas, piers, a promenade, and offshore bandstands with shoreline seating. Caption on image: Madison Park.Handwritten on sleeve: Madison Park.Photographer's Reference Number: 827
ID Number:1983.10.6715
Date:Circa 1911
Image of Ships at Pier 6, Seattle, 1912
Photograph

Ships at Pier 6, Seattle, 1912

Signs in image: [W.W.] Robinson [...] Grain and Feed [...] Hay & Specialty. Pier 6 - John B. Agen Dock. Gordon Dock and Grain Co. - Shipping, Storage - Lime, Cement, Plaster - Hay, Grain, Feed. North American Transportation & Trading Co. Henry Doyle & Co. - Fish Nets, Twines & Supplies.Handwritten on sleeve: J.B. Agen's Dock, 1912.Photographer's Reference Number:…
ID Number:1983.10.6754
Date:1912
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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.
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Phone: 206 324 1126
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