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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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178 results for: Police and Law Enforcement

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Image of Seattle General Strike deputies receiving weapons, February 6, 1919
Photograph

Seattle General Strike deputies receiving weapons, February 6, 1919

In 1919, Seattle shipyard workers went on strike for higher wages. Other labor unions stopped work too, thus starting the nation's first general strike. Many people feared the strike would lead to violence. Seattle's mayor and chief of police deputized groups of soldiers and sailors to help keep the peace. Most of the strikers stayed home, however, and the city…
ID Number:1983.10.1348
Date:1919
Image of Still confiscated from bootleggers, Seattle, circa 1921
Photograph

Still confiscated from bootleggers, Seattle, circa 1921

In Washington state, Prohibition lasted from 1916 until 1933. During that time, making, selling, owning, or drinking alcoholic beverages was against the law. Local police and federal agents made regular raids and arrests. In this photo, taken around 1921, an agent views a confiscated still in the Federal Building. Handwritten on sleeve: Still Federal BldgPhotographer's Reference Number: 85178
ID Number:1983.10.2020
Date:Circa 1921
Image of Police captain Kimball with two John Muir School students, Seattle, circa 1922
Photograph

Police captain Kimball with two John Muir School students, Seattle, circa 1922

In January 1922, Seattle School District inaugurated the first safety patrol program in the state. It was headed by a young policeman named Captain George Kimball, and the first school to have a safety patrol was the John Muir School. Handwritten on sleeve: John Muir - Lk. Wash. Dist.Photographer's Reference Number: 93810
ID Number:1983.10.2866.1
Date:Circa 1922
Image of Motorcycle patrolmen, Seattle, 1931
Photograph

Motorcycle patrolmen, Seattle, 1931

Seattle's police department started using motorcycles some time after 1912. In 1932, the department had 33 motorcycles, and patrolmen drove over 173,000 miles in the course of duty. In this 1931 photo, Seattle's motorcycle police stand in Volunteer Park with their cycles.
ID Number:1983.10.4969.31
Date:1931
Image of Police patrol wagon, circa 1910
Photograph

Police patrol wagon, circa 1910

In 1907, the Seattle Police Department began to replace its horsedrawn patrol wagons with motorized vehicles. In this photo, a group of men and boys look at the Patrol Wagon No. 1 and its driver outside City Hall. Webster & Stevens number: 7228
ID Number:1983.10.7827.2
Date:Circa 1910
Image of Police Chief Irving Ward, Seattle, circa 1908
Photograph

Police Chief Irving Ward, Seattle, circa 1908

Handwritten on sleeve: Police Chief Ward.Photographer's Reference Number: 9349
ID Number:1983.10.8189
Date:Circa 1908
Image of Motorcycle police officer posing with bike, Seattle, circa 1915
Photograph

Motorcycle police officer posing with bike, Seattle, circa 1915

In early 1910, the Seattle police department invested $1,329 in its first three motorcycles, with seven patrolman selected as the first members of the "motor cops" squad. At the time, speeding fines were paid to King County rather than the city of Seattle, and the city hoped to pass a traffic ordinance which would allow it to keep fines for…
ID Number:1983.10.8613
Date:Circa 1915
Image of Motorcycle police officers on Fourth Avenue, Seattle, circa 1915
Photograph

Motorcycle police officers on Fourth Avenue, Seattle, circa 1915

In early 1910, the Seattle police department invested $1,329 in its first three motorcycles, with seven patrolman selected as the first members of the "motor cops" squad. At the time, speeding fines were paid to King County rather than the city of Seattle, and the city hoped to pass a traffic ordinance which would allow it to keep fines for…
ID Number:1983.10.8632.1
Date:Circa 1915
Image of Line of motorcycle police officers on Fourth Avenue, Seattle, circa 1915
Photograph

Line of motorcycle police officers on Fourth Avenue, Seattle, circa 1915

In early 1910, the Seattle police department invested $1,329 in its first three motorcycles, with seven patrolman selected as the first members of the "motor cops" squad. At the time, speeding fines were paid to King County rather than the city of Seattle, and the city hoped to pass a traffic ordinance which would allow it to keep fines for…
ID Number:1983.10.8632.3
Date:Circa 1915
Image of Fire Chief's car outside Fire Station #10, Seattle, circa 1910
Photograph

Fire Chief's car outside Fire Station #10, Seattle, circa 1910

Handwritten on sleeve: Fire Chiefs Car.Photographer's Reference Number: 15517
ID Number:1983.10.8684
Date:Circa 1910
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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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