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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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768 results for: Businesses and Corporations

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Image of Workers in yard across from the N and S Electric Company, Seattle, circa 1903
Photograph

Workers in yard across from the N and S Electric Company, Seattle, circa 1903

In the late 19th century, Smith Cove was being developed as an extension of Seattle’s port facilities. This continued into the new century with the construction of the Great Northern Railroad terminus in the Interbay area and other buildings nearby. On February 1, 1902, plans were filed with the Seattle Building Inspector for a two-story machine shop to be built…
ID Number:1982.65.5
Date:1903
Image of Brace & Hergert Mill Co., Western Mills receipt, April 10, 1911
Ephemera

Brace & Hergert Mill Co., Western Mills receipt, April 10, 1911

In 1899, John S. Brace and Frank Hergert, purchased the Western Mill on the southern shore of Lake Union from it's founder, early Seattle settler David Thomas Denny (1832-1903). They had both previously been employed at the mill, and lived in the small community that had grown up around the mill. They changed the mill's name to Brace & Hergert,…
ID Number:1982.200.3
Date:1911
Image of O.B. Williams Co. receipt, September 2, 1915
Ephemera

O.B. Williams Co. receipt, September 2, 1915

The O. B. Williams Company was established in 1889 by Owen B. Williams in Fairhaven, Washington, to manufacture windows, doors, and other building materials. By 1902 the company had moved to 1308 Third Ave in downtown Seattle, and in 1911 the company moved to a 40,000 square foot store and factory at 1943 First Avenue South. As of 2025, O.…
ID Number:1982.200.19
Date:1915
Image of Washington Sheet Metal Works receipt, October 28, 1913
Ephemera

Washington Sheet Metal Works receipt, October 28, 1913

Washington Sheet Metal Works was founded in 1907 by W. H. Perry, Oscar Witt, and G. L. Long. The company manufactured metal heating and ventilating equipment, along with cornices, skylights, and windows. By 1911, George J. Long and Isaac A. McVay would take over as president and treasurer, respectively, and would remain so for most of the company's history. Long…
ID Number:1982.200.20
Date:1913
Image of Suess Glass Co. receipt, September 8, 1915
Ephemera

Suess Glass Co. receipt, September 8, 1915

The Suess Art Glass Company manufactured leaded, plate, and beveled glass and mirrors, as well as a variety of other products, including lenses for automobile headlamps. Headlamps were not issued standard on cars until 1912, and performance and quality varied wildly. John Suess patented two devices for the rib lenses he sold, which controlled the headlight beam and eliminated "glare…
ID Number:1982.200.26
Date:1915
Image of Pidduck-Ross Co. grocery receipt, July 7, 1904
Ephemera

Pidduck-Ross Co. grocery receipt, July 7, 1904

Pidduck-Ross Co. grocery sold "high priced groceries and table delicacies" at 720 Second Avenue. The grocery opened in 1901 as Pidduck, Ross & Mehlhorn by George A. Pidduck, John T. Ross, and August F. Mehlhorn (Mehlhorn left the company in the first year). In just a few years, Pidduck-Ross Co. was declared bankrupt in April of 1905, after having been…
ID Number:1982.200.57
Date:1904
Image of Chamber of Commerce Building, Seattle, circa 1925
Photograph

Chamber of Commerce Building, Seattle, circa 1925

The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce was founded on April 17, 1882, by a group of 26 business and community leaders, to devise a way to win a $12,000 annual mail route to Alaska over a competing San Francisco steamship company. The Chamber's first decade was dominated by the fight to obtain a railroad for Seattle. Chamber founders Thomas Burke,…
ID Number:1983.10.391
Date:Circa 1925
Image of People's Bank building, Seattle, circa 1927
Photograph

People's Bank building, Seattle, circa 1927

The People's Bank Building was located on the northeast corner of Second Avenue and Pike Street. It was replaced int he 1960s with a parking garage. Signs in image: Harvard System - Painless Dentists - Bridge Specialists. Peoples Savings Bank. Shulman Bros. Furniture Co. [on truck]. Peoples Bank Building. [Peltman?] & [Curme?] Wonderful Shoes - 5.50, 6.50 for Women -…
ID Number:1983.10.664
Date:Circa 1927
Image of Shozo Tsutakawa in front of the Japanese American Commission Company, Seattle, circa 1919
Photograph

Shozo Tsutakawa in front of the Japanese American Commission Company, Seattle, circa 1919

Shozo Tsutakawa (1877-1951) was a successful Japanese businessman who immigrated to the US around 1904 and started the Japanese American Commission Company, importing and exporting food and other goods to and from Japan. He was also president of the Japanese Commercial Club in Seattle. In 1919, Tsutakawa wrote an article in the Seattle Times about the huge growth in trade…
ID Number:1983.10.1617.1
Date:Circa 1919
Image of Shozo Tsutakawa in front of Japanese American Commission Company, circa 1919
Photograph

Shozo Tsutakawa in front of Japanese American Commission Company, circa 1919

Shozo Tsutakawa (1877-1951) was a successful Japanese businessman who immigrated to the US around 1904 and started the Japanese American Commission Company, importing and exporting food and other goods to and from Japan. He was also president of the Japanese Commercial Club in Seattle. In 1919, Tsutakawa wrote an article in the Seattle Times about the huge growth in trade…
ID Number:1983.10.1617.2
Date:Circa 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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