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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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650 results for: Lake Washington

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Image of John J. McGilvra's farm, circa 1870
Photograph

John J. McGilvra's farm, circa 1870

President Lincoln appointed John J. McGilvra United States Attorney for Washington Territory. In 1864, McGilvra and his family settled near Lake Washington, in today's Madison Park district. They called their home Laurel Shade. At his own expense, McGilvra built a road from the farm to Seattle, along the route which became Madison Street.This stereographic photo shows John McGilvra's property, Laurel…
ID Number:1983.10.6122
Date:Circa 1870
Image of Locomotive A.A. Denny, circa 1880
Photograph

Locomotive A.A. Denny, circa 1880

Seattle's first railroad, the Seattle & Walla Walla Railroad, was built to carry coal from the mines east of Lake Washington to the Seattle waterfront. The narrow-gauge railroad's first locomotive was named the "A.A. Denny" in honor of one Seattle's founders, Arthur A. Denny. In 1880, the railroad became the Columbia and Puget Sound Railway.This photo, taken around 1880, shows…
ID Number:1983.10.6275
Date:Circa 1880
Image of Western Mill and southern Lake Union, circa 1885
Photograph

Western Mill and southern Lake Union, circa 1885

Pioneer David Denny owned the land south of Lake Union. In 1882, he opened the Western Mill on the lake's southern shore. A small community soon grew up around the lumber mill. By the end of the 1880s, streetcars and roads had been built as the area was settled.In this photo, taken around 1885 by Theodore Peiser, the Western Mill…
ID Number:1983.10.6380
Date:Circa 1885
Image of Lake Washington canal, circa 1904
Photograph

Lake Washington canal, circa 1904

Several small canals once connected Puget Sound, Lake Union and Lake Washington. These waterways were large enough to move logs but too small for boats. They were replaced by the Lake Washington Ship Canal, which opened in 1917.This photo shows a narrow portion of the canal in about 1904, before the Lake Washington Ship Canal was built. The photo may…
ID Number:1983.10.6576.1
Date:1904
Image of Rainier Beach streetcar station, circa 1911
Photograph

Rainier Beach streetcar station, circa 1911

In 1896, the old Seattle and Rainier Beach trolley line was extended to Renton. At that time, the 12-mile route between Seattle and Renton was the longest electric railway line in the world. The line, known after 1903 as the Seattle, Renton and Southern Railway, provided passenger and freight service to the once-isolated settlements between the two cities.This 1911 photo…
ID Number:1983.10.6605
Date:Circa 1911
Image of Madrona Park Hotel, circa 1910
Photograph

Madrona Park Hotel, circa 1910

In the 1890s, private developers built Madrona Park on the shore of Lake Washington. Seattleites could catch the Madrona Park and Broadway streetcar on Capitol Hill and ride to the park. They could spend the day at the lake or stay longer at the park's hotel. This photo, taken around 1910, shows the Madrona Park Hotel with its boat dock.…
ID Number:1983.10.6690
Date:Circa 1910
Image of Home of Elbert Blaine, circa 1903
Photograph

Home of Elbert Blaine, circa 1903

In 1901, Seattle businessman Elbert Blaine laid out and developed the Denny Blaine area. The neighborhood included winding streets and small parks fronting Lake Washington. Blaine built a large wood and stone home which still stands on Lake Washington Boulevard East. This photo shows Blaine's home and its surroundings in about 1903. Photographer's Reference Number: 676
ID Number:1983.10.6691
Date:Circa 1903
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 Home of Elbert Blaine, Seattle, 1911
Photograph

Home of Elbert Blaine, Seattle, 1911

In 1901, Seattle businessman Elbert Blaine laid out and developed the Denny Blaine area. The neighborhood included winding streets and small parks fronting Lake Washington. Blaine built a large wood and stone home which still stands on Lake Washington Boulevard East. This photo shows Blaine's home and its surroundings in 1911. Handwritten on sleeve: Denny Blaine Park, 1911.Photographer's Reference Number:…
ID Number:1983.10.6766
Date:1911
Image of Bunkers and wharves at the Pacific Coast Coal Company, 1911
Photograph

Bunkers and wharves at the Pacific Coast Coal Company, 1911

Railroad cars carried coal from the mines east of Lake Washington to the Seattle waterfront. The coal was offloaded and stored in bunkers. Then it was loaded onto ships bound for ports in Alaska or California.In this photo, taken in 1911, a railroad car filled with coal sits at the end of the dock at the Pacific Coast Coal Company…
ID Number:1983.10.6872.1
Date:1911
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Land Acknowledgement

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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