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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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557 results for: Alaska

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Image of Alaska Building, Seattle, circa 1909
Photograph

Alaska Building, Seattle, circa 1909

In 1903, work began on the 14-story Alaska Building. This office building was Seattle's first skyscraper to be built with steel framing. Steel framed buildings could be taller than those in Pioneer Square which were built by earlier methods. This photo shows the Alaska Building, which still stands on the southeast corner of Second Avenue and Cherry Streets. Signs in…
ID Number:1983.10.8454
Date:Circa 1909
Image of New York Block and Alaska Building, Seattle, circa 1910
Photograph

New York Block and Alaska Building, Seattle, circa 1910

The New York Block was one of a number of brick and stone buildings built just after Seattle's Great Fire of 1889. It was seven stories tall and was located at the northeast corner of Second Avenue and Cherry Street. The 14-story Alaska Building across the street was built in 1904. This office building was Seattle's first skyscraper to be…
ID Number:1983.10.8968
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
Image of Pioneer Square decorated for Potlatch, 1911
Photograph

Pioneer Square decorated for Potlatch, 1911

The Tilikums of Elttaes were a fraternal, civic organization composed primarily of influential white Seattle area businessmen, who used Native American imagery to promote tourism and the economic development of the city. In July 1911 the Tilikums ("Friends" in Chinook Jargon; Elttaes is Seattle spelled backward) organized the first Golden Potlatch celebration. The Golden Potlatch was a city-wide festival held…
ID Number:1983.10.9439.2
Date:1911
Image of View of University of Washington campus, Seattle, 1915
Photograph

View of University of Washington campus, Seattle, 1915

In 1895 the University of Washington opened at its present location along the shores of Lake Washington and Lake Union at the new "Interlaken Campus." The first building on the new campus was Denny Hall, originally known as the Administration Building. Placed next to Denny Hall were the columns from the original Territorial University building in downtown Seattle. Edmond Meany…
ID Number:1983.10.10004.3
Date:1915
Image of Totem pole at Pioneer Square, 1915
Photograph

Totem pole at Pioneer Square, 1915

This Tlingit totem was carved around 1790 to honor a tribal woman named Chief-of-All-Women and it was placed in the village of Tongass on the Alaska coast. In 1899, a group of leading Seattle businessmen on a goodwill tour of southeastern Alaska stole the totem and brought it back to Pioneer Square. The businessmen were indicted for the theft, but…
ID Number:1983.10.10030.1
Date:1915
Image of Second Avenue looking north from Madison Street, Seattle, 1916
Photograph

Second Avenue looking north from Madison Street, Seattle, 1916

Signs in image: Hotel Savoy. Pantages. Alaska Theater. Rathskeller. Bee Hive. Lennon's. Billiards.Handwritten on sleeve: 2nd Ave N. from Madison 1916.Webster & Stevens number: 44483
ID Number:1983.10.10088
Date:1916
Image of First and Main, Seattle, 1916
Photograph

First and Main, Seattle, 1916

Signs in image: Hotel. [...an] Furnishings - Alaska Outfits - Oiled Cloth. Globe Hotel. Modern Barber College. A. Spenger. Washington Transfer - We Move It - Moving, Storage, Packing, Shipping.Handwritten on sleeve: First & Main St. 1916Webster & Stevens number: 49694
ID Number:1983.10.10285
Date:1916
Image of Interior of U.S. Assay Office, circa 1916
Photograph

Interior of U.S. Assay Office, circa 1916

The United States monetary system used to be on the gold standard. People used gold coins, as well as paper currency which was backed by gold. When gold started arriving in Seattle from the Klondike in 1898, the government opened an assay office to buy gold and to certify its purity.In this photo, taken around 1916, a workman at the…
ID Number:1983.10.10297
Date:Circa 1916
Image of Boeing
Photograph

Boeing "Model C" float plane docked on Lake Union, Seattle, 1919

Aviation pioneer William Edward "Bill" Boeing (1881-1956) was born in Detroit to German immigrants. He came to Seattle in 1908, where, during the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in 1909, he saw a manned flying machine for the first time and became fascinated with aircraft. With a partner, Mr. Boeing created two B&W prototype float planes in 1916, both of which were rejected…
ID Number:1983.10.10793
Date:1919
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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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