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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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1514 results for: City of Seattle

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Image of Photo of map of Seattle before fire, 1889
Photograph

Photo of map of Seattle before fire, 1889

Seattle in the 1880s was a rapidly growing city, aided in no small part by the 1883 connection with the Northern Pacific Railway Company. Lumber and coal were the primary industries, but the growth of fishing, wholesale trade, shipbuilding, and shipping also contributed to the town's economic expansion and population growth. The Seattle City Census of 1888 records population at…
ID Number:SHS483B
Date:1889
Image of Regrading on Third Avenue near Spring Street, Seattle, 1906
Photograph

Regrading on Third Avenue near Spring Street, Seattle, 1906

Seattle's hills are steep, but they used to be steeper. During various regrading projects, the city tried to make the streets and avenues more level. Some areas were raised and some were lowered. Nearby buildings were raised or lowered too. Others were torn down or moved away.This photograph was taken during the regrading project on Third Avenue in downtown Seattle.…
ID Number:SHS503
Date:1906
Image of Man guarding a safe after Great Seattle Fire, June 6, 1889
Photograph

Man guarding a safe after Great Seattle Fire, June 6, 1889

The Great Fire of June 6, 1889 was a significant turning point in Seattle's history and changed both the physical and political landscapes of the city. The fire started at 2:30 p.m. in a shop at Front Street (now First Avenue) and Madison Street and swept across 100 acres of Seattle's business district and waterfront. The fire left little standing…
ID Number:SHS511
Date:1889
Image of Commercial Street in snow, Seattle, January 10, 1880
Photograph

Commercial Street in snow, Seattle, January 10, 1880

In the 1880s, Seattle's business district was near Pioneer Square. Loggers, miners, and others came to this part of the city to find work, supplies, and entertainment. Others came to Seattle to attend the Territorial University, which stood on a hill above the city .This photo, taken in 1880, shows the intersection of Commercial Street (now First Avenue South) and…
ID Number:SHS613
Date:1880
Image of Third Avenue, looking south from Pike Street, Seattle, circa 1900<br />
Photograph

Third Avenue, looking south from Pike Street, Seattle, circa 1900

By the turn of the 19th century, multi-story brick buildings had begun to spring up along Seattle's Third Avenue, and city streets were being repaved. In this image, the Abbott Hotel occupies the southeast corner of Third Avenue at Pike Street. In the near distance is Plymouth Congregational Church, at the corner of Third and University. The camera technology of…
ID Number:SHS645
Date:Circa 1900
Image of National Guard of Washington officers posing after the fire, Seattle, June 1889
Photograph

National Guard of Washington officers posing after the fire, Seattle, June 1889

The Great Fire of June 6, 1889 was a significant turning point in Seattle's history and changed both the physical and political landscapes of the City. 100 acres of Seattle's business district and waterfront were destroyed. The burned areas were guarded and patrolled by members of the Washington National Guard from Seattle, Tacoma, and Port Townsend until June 11, 1889.…
ID Number:SHS685
Date:1889
Image of Firemen posing outside Seattle Fire Department, November 1889
Photograph

Firemen posing outside Seattle Fire Department, November 1889

The creation of the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) can be traced back to July 6th, 1876, when the all-volunteer Seattle Engine Company No.1 was organized. In 1883, the City Charter was amended to create and fund equipment, but not staff, for a centralized municipal fire department. The volunteer-based system persisted until pressure from the insurance industry and citizens after the…
ID Number:SHS700
Date:1889
Image of Great Seattle Fire burning at waterfront, June 6, 1889
Photograph

Great Seattle Fire burning at waterfront, June 6, 1889

The Great Fire of June 6, 1889 was a significant turning point in Seattle's history and changed both the physical and political landscapes of the City. The fire started at 2:30 p.m. in a paint and woodwork shop at Front and Madison and over the course of the next 18 hours swept a southward across 100 acres of Seattle's business…
ID Number:SHS708A
Date:1889
Image of Members of the Washington National Guard in Seattle, June 1889
Photograph

Members of the Washington National Guard in Seattle, June 1889

The Great Fire of June 6, 1889 was a significant turning point in Seattle's history and changed both the physical and political landscapes of the City. One hundred acres of Seattle's business district and waterfront were destroyed. The burned areas were guarded and patrolled by members of the Washington National Guard from Seattle, Tacoma, and Port Townsend until June 11,…
ID Number:SHS710
Date:1889
Image of Third Avenue looking north from Jefferson Street,  circa 1916
Photograph

Third Avenue looking north from Jefferson Street, circa 1916

This view looks up Third Avenue from Pioneer Square, showing the northward spread of Seattle's downtown neighborhood as it grew, with the proliferation of multi-story brick buildings, cars and streetcars, and pedestrians. The newly constructed County-City building (King County Courthouse and Municipal Building) is in the foreground at right. Businesses in image: Hotel Seward; California Oyster House; The Drexel; Levinson's;…
ID Number:SHS776
Date:Circa 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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