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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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736 results for: Transportation

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Image of Ezra Meeker in an automobile, 1918
Photograph

Ezra Meeker in an automobile, 1918

In the 1850s, Ezra Meeker and his family had traveled to the Pacific Northwest by oxcart, along the Oregon Trail. When he was 75 years old, Meeker began his travels to promote the old trail. He formed the Oregon Trail Memorial Association, and worked with states and cities to commemorate the trail and the early settlers.In this 1918 photo, taken…
ID Number:1983.10.10420
Date:1918
Image of Northern Pacific Railroad bridge, Seattle, circa 1917
Photograph

Northern Pacific Railroad bridge, Seattle, circa 1917

This bridge was used by the Northern Pacific railroad to cross the Lake Washington Ship Canal between Fremont and Ballard. Handwritten on sleeve: Bascule Bridge, Lake Wash. canal.Webster & Stevens number: 54405
ID Number:1983.10.10425
Date:Circa 1917
Image of Lake Washington Ship Canal, Seattle, 1917
Photograph

Lake Washington Ship Canal, Seattle, 1917

The Lake Washington Ship Canal followed the routes of earlier canals and streams which connected Lake Washington, Lake Union, and Salmon Bay. This photo shows part of the canal in 1917. It was taken looking west from the Ballard Bridge. Handwritten on sleeve: Ship Canal W. from Ballard Bridge, 1917.Webster & Stevens number: 54408
ID Number:1983.10.10428
Date:1917
Image of Marine Corps recruiting motorcycles with sidecars, Seattle, 1918
Photograph

Marine Corps recruiting motorcycles with sidecars, Seattle, 1918

During World War I, all branches of the armed forces recruited new enlistees in Seattle. In this 1918 photo, four members of the U.S. Marine Corps Recruiting Service pose with their motorcycles in downtown Seattle. Two of the men sit in sidecars decorated with the slogan "First to Fight. Join the U.S. Marines," and "Enlist for War Only."
ID Number:1983.10.10535.2
Date:1918
Image of Seattle streetcar, circa 1917
Photograph

Seattle streetcar, circa 1917

The Seattle and Rainier Valley Railroad ran from downtown Seattle to Renton. For many years, this streetcar line was the main means of transportation between the city and the southern towns. In 1913, the rail line pleased baseball fans by offering special cars to Dugdale Field.This photo, taken in about 1917, shows a Seattle and Rainier Valley streetcar heading south.…
ID Number:1983.10.10585
Date:Circa 1917
Image of Woman in electric auto, circa 1917
Photograph

Woman in electric auto, circa 1917

Published in the Seattle Sunday Times with a headline "Electric Finds New Admirers," this photograph shows a woman posing with a Detroit Electric automobile in front of the Rhodes mansion at the corner of Howe Street and Tenth Avenue East, on Capitol Hill. The promotion mentions the features of this model car that make it attractive to women drivers. Webster…
ID Number:1983.10.10587
Date:Circa 1917
Image of Streetcar signal at First Avenue and Pike Streets, Seattle, circa 1918
Photograph

Streetcar signal at First Avenue and Pike Streets, Seattle, circa 1918

Cables support and power a streetcar signal in the middle of the intersection of First and Pike, in downtown Seattle. The signal itself is somewhat camouflaged against the façade of the Corner Market, at Pike Place. It appears to operate by the rotation of triangular panels that indicate which streetcar should stop and which should proceed. Streetcar tracks can be…
ID Number:1983.10.10589
Date:Circa 1918
Image of Electric automobile advertising photo, 1918
Photograph

Electric automobile advertising photo, 1918

Some photographs taken by Webster & Stevens helped advertise cars and other consumer products. In this photo, taken in 1918, a young woman poses by an electric automobile. An elegant home provides just the right setting for the car ad. The house had been built eight years earlier by clothing store owner Jules Redelsheimer. It still stands near Denny Blaine…
ID Number:1983.10.10652.1
Date:1918
Image of Jack Dempsey with boxing promoter Nate Druxman, Seattle, circa 1930
Photograph

Jack Dempsey with boxing promoter Nate Druxman, Seattle, circa 1930

Handwritten on sleeve: Dempsey [1931 Automobile].Webster & Stevens number: P9680
ID Number:1983.10.10812.2
Date:Circa 1930
Image of Artist's concept drawing of Fourth Avenue and Westlake Avenue monorails, Seattle, circa 1920
Photograph

Artist's concept drawing of Fourth Avenue and Westlake Avenue monorails, Seattle, circa 1920

As early as 1910, inventors and businessmen believed that a monorail would solve Seattle's downtown traffic problems. The Universal Elevated Railway Company tried to convince the city to build monorails on Fourth and Westlake Avenues, but the city decided to develop a ground-level trolley system instead. About fifty years later, a monorail was built along part of Westlake Avenue to…
ID Number:1983.10.10813
Date:Circa 1920
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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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