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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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253 results for: Washington Hotel

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Image of University of Washington graduating class, Seattle, 1898
Photograph

University of Washington graduating class, Seattle, 1898

In 1858 one of Seattle's founders, Arthur A. Denny (1822-1899), successfully petitioned the Washington Territorial Legislature to select Seattle as the location for a new university. Seeing this as a chance to add to the city's potential and prestige, a site was chosen on Denny's Knoll that now houses the Fairmont Olympic Hotel. The Territorial University of Washington opened in…
ID Number:SHS1514
Date:1898
Image of Columbia St., looking east from 3rd Ave., Seattle, circa 1890
Photograph

Columbia St., looking east from 3rd Ave., Seattle, circa 1890

Seattle in the early 1890s was a rapidly growing city. The Seattle City Census of 1888 records population at 19,116, and although 1889's Great Fire leveled 116 acres in the heart of the city's business district, by 1890 the city's population actually grew to 40,000 inhabitants from the influx of people helping to recreate the city. Lumber and coal were…
ID Number:SHS1546
Date:Circa 1890
Image of Occidental Hotel, circa 1886
Photograph

Occidental Hotel, circa 1886

In 1884, John Collins opened his Occidental Hotel at the junction of James Street and Mill Street (now Yesler Way) in Seattle. The ornate, four-story brick building was at the center of the city, just off of what is now Pioneer Square. It was considered to be the grandest hotel in Washington Territory. A bank occupied part of the ground…
ID Number:SHS1581
Date:Circa 1886
Image of Seattle's first July 4th celebration, 1865
Photograph

Seattle's first July 4th celebration, 1865

Seattle was first incorporated by the Washington Territorial Legislature in 1865, with a population of 350 and an economy based on timber. The Fourth of July celebration depicted in this photo would have been the first for the new city, as well as the first after the end of the Civil War. Pioneers pose in front of a foliage-covered structure,…
ID Number:SHS2772
Date:1865
Image of George Frederick Frye, Seattle, circa 1888
Photograph

George Frederick Frye, Seattle, circa 1888

Born in Germany, George Frederick Frye came to Seattle in 1853, where he worked with Henry Yesler at his lumber mill. After marrying Louisa Denny in 1860, the couple operated a meat market and bakery, built and invested in real estate, and established the Frye Opera House. They had architects Bebb & Mendel design the 11-story Frye Hotel, which was…
ID Number:SHS2814
Date:Circa 1888
Image of C.C. Calkins' Hotel at East Seattle, circa 1890
Photograph

C.C. Calkins' Hotel at East Seattle, circa 1890

Wisconsin-born C.C. Calkins arrived in Seattle in 1887 and bought a homestead at the north end of Mercer Island. By 1890, he had laid out the town of East Seattle and built an elegant resort hotel. The hotel flourished for a few years but closed during the national depression of 1893. After serving as a school, a sanatorium and a…
ID Number:SHS2823
Date:Circa 1890
Image of Militia lined up during anti-Chinese riot, Seattle, February, 1886
Photograph

Militia lined up during anti-Chinese riot, Seattle, February, 1886

The Seattle riot of 1886 occurred on February 6–9 amidst rising anti-Chinese sentiment caused by intense labor competition and in the context of an ongoing struggle between labor and capital in the Western United States. The dispute arose when a mob affiliated with a local Knights of Labor chapter formed small committees to carry out a forcible expulsion of all…
ID Number:SHS3486
Date:1886
Image of Front porch of the James W. Clemmer home on Capitol Hill, Seattle, circa 1909
Photograph

Front porch of the James W. Clemmer home on Capitol Hill, Seattle, circa 1909

James Clemmer and his wife moved to Seattle from Spokane in 1907 and took on the management of his family’s Kenneth Hotel. He soon converted the first floor into the Dream Theater, one of Seattle’s first movie houses. Over the years, Clemmer managed many other Seattle theaters. In 1909, the Clemmers built a Mission Revival home at 2612 Harvard Avenue…
ID Number:SHS5603
Date:Circa 1909
Image of Waterfront and downtown, Seattle, 1888
Photograph

Waterfront and downtown, Seattle, 1888

Signs in image: Our House. Clothiers. Safe Deposit Co. Gordon Hardware Co. Seattle Hardware Co. The Arcade - W.P. Boyd & Co. Drugs - [Asten?] & Co. Columbia House [...]. San Francisco Store - Dry Goods. St. Elmo Hotel. New England Hotel. Live Stable.Caption on mount: Peiser - 817 and 819 Second Street, Seattle, W.T.Caption on verso: First-class Work Guaranteed,…
ID Number:SHS7637
Date:1888
Image of West Spokane Street wooden trestle bridge, Seattle,  February 27, 1918
Photograph

West Spokane Street wooden trestle bridge, Seattle, February 27, 1918

From 1902 to 1917, three temporary wooden bridges were built over the west water way of the Duwamish River, connecting Harbor Island to West Seattle (annexed by Seattle in 1907). By 1924 a permanent steel low-level bascule bridge, West Spokane Street Bridge No. 1 (North), had been built and was in use until 1978.This west-facing view shows one of the…
ID Number:SHS8645
Date:1918
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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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