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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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280 results for: Lake Union

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Image of Seattle Electric Railway Company trolley with motormen, circa 1890
Photograph

Seattle Electric Railway Company trolley with motormen, circa 1890

Seattle's first electric streetcars began carrying passengers in 1889. By 1892, the city had 48 miles of electric streetcars and 22 miles of cable railway. In the mid-1890s, motormen were paid 22 cents an hour, but only while the cars were rolling. They weren't paid for the time it took to get the cars ready in the morning, keep them…
ID Number:SHS7701
Date:Circa 1890
Image of Canoes and houseboats on Lake Washington, Seattle, 1912
Photograph

Canoes and houseboats on Lake Washington, Seattle, 1912

The unique floating homes of Seattle got their start almost simultaneously with the development of the city itself. Seattle's first industries were logging and fishing, both seasonal enterprises, and it became common for loggers and sailors to build themselves floating shacks from scrap boards during their off seasons. As the trend spread, houseboats were built as permanent homes for families…
ID Number:SHS9025
Date:1912
Image of Fremont Bridge from south, Seattle, March 18, 1915
Photograph

Fremont Bridge from south, Seattle, March 18, 1915

Signs in image: Carl [Dienor?] Groceries. Hay, Grain, Feed & Flour - Wholesale & Retail. [Lundberg?] Lake Union Shop - Horseshoeing & Blacksmithing.Caption on image: 3-18-15.Typed on verso: Fremont Bridge on March 18, 1915, picture taken from Fulton Street and Dexter Avenue North. Photograph was ordered by City Engineering Dept. in preparation for a new bridge. Old bridge was wood…
ID Number:SHS9200
Date:1915
Image of Early Boeing seaplane on Lake Union, Seattle, circa 1918
Photograph

Early Boeing seaplane on Lake Union, Seattle, circa 1918

Typed on verso: Boeing seaplane, early. Probably Boeing C-11. Single float, on Lake Union.SHS category: Aeronautics
ID Number:SHS9306
Date:Circa 1918
Image of North-facing panorama of Fremont, Seattle, circa 1894
Photograph

North-facing panorama of Fremont, Seattle, circa 1894

Seattle's Fremont neighborhood started out as cluster of small industries on the north shore of Lake Union. This north-facing view of Fremont appears to have been taken from the eastern slope of Queen Anne Hill. The bridge at the bottom left of the frame is probably a spur of the Seattle, Lake Shore, and Eastern Railway, built in 1888 across…
ID Number:SHS10120
Date:Circa 1894
Image of First paying passengers of Boeing Commercial Air Service posing at Lake Union, Seattle, May 2, 1919
Photograph

First paying passengers of Boeing Commercial Air Service posing at Lake Union, Seattle, May 2, 1919

The first paying passengers of the Boeing Airplane Company were charged $15 for a 15-20 minute sightseeing tour over the city of Seattle, taking off in one of the Boeing factory's seaplanes from their Lake Union hangar.This image of the first customers was taken on the dock at Lake Union, with the seaplane behind. Third from the left is pilot…
ID Number:SHS11352A
Date:1919
Image of First paying passenger of Boeing Commercial Air Service in plane on Lake Union, Seattle, May 2, 1919
Photograph

First paying passenger of Boeing Commercial Air Service in plane on Lake Union, Seattle, May 2, 1919

The first paying passengers of the Boeing Airplane Company were charged $15 for a 15-20 minute sightseeing tour over the city of Seattle, taking off in one of the Boeing factory's seaplanes from their Lake Union hangar.This image of the first one of the first commercial flights was taken on Lake Union. It is not clear if this image is…
ID Number:SHS11352B
Date:1919
Image of Men pulling B & W into Boeing Seaplane Hangar on Lake Union, Seattle, 1916
Photograph

Men pulling B & W into Boeing Seaplane Hangar on Lake Union, Seattle, 1916

William Boeing started his airplane company in this hangar he had built on the shore of Lake Union in December 1915. The B & W seaplane, named after its designers, Boeing and Conrad Westervelt, was the first airplane produced at the small factory. The seaplane, constructed of Washington State spruce lumber, steel wire, and linen fabric, made its first successful…
ID Number:SHS11540
Date:1916
Image of Shell Company gas station, Seattle, 1915
Photograph

Shell Company gas station, Seattle, 1915

This exterior image of Shell Oil Company's "Show Place" gas station was taken at Eastlake Avenue East and East Hamlin Street, looking West over Lake Union towards Queen Anne Hill. At the time gasoline sold for 12 cents per gallon. Caption information source: http://www.nacsonline.com/yourbusiness/fuelsreports/gasprices_2013/pages/100plusyearsgasolineretailing.aspx
ID Number:SHS17057
Date:1915
Image of Officers of last Volunteer Fire Department, circa 1889
Photograph

Officers of last Volunteer Fire Department, circa 1889

The creation of the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) can be traced back to July 6th, 1876, when the all-volunteer Seattle Engine Company No.1 was organized. In 1883, the City Charter was amended to create and fund equipment, but not staff, for a centralized municipal fire department. The volunteer-based system persisted until pressure from the insurance industry and citizens after the…
ID Number:SHS17710
Date:Circa 1889
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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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