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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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43 results for: Bon Marché, The

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Image of Second Avenue north from Yesler Way, Seattle, 1916
Photograph

Second Avenue north from Yesler Way, Seattle, 1916

Signs in image: White House. White Cross Dental Co. Rainier Laundry. Confectionery. [Monette?] Hardware. Hotel Seattle. Fatima Cigarettes. The Bon Marche. Empire Building. Dr. Mittan, Dentist. Loan Office. Billiards.Handwritten on sleeve: Second Ave. N. from Yesler.Webster & Stevens number: 48017
ID Number:1983.10.10250
Date:1916
Image of View northwest from Smith Tower, Seattle, 1916
Photograph

View northwest from Smith Tower, Seattle, 1916

Opened in 1914, the new L.C. Smith Building, later called the Smith Tower, at Second Avenue and Yesler Way, offered unobstructed views such as this scene looking northwest along Second Avenue. Signs in image: Kenneth Hotel. [...] and Murray. Sherman Printing. The Postal Telegraph Building. The Right Hotel. New Cecil Hotel. Grand Pacific Hotel. Hotel New Vendome. Frederick & Nelson.…
ID Number:1983.10.10264.2
Date:1916
Image of The Bon Marche, circa 1916
Photograph

The Bon Marche, circa 1916

In 1890, German immigrant Edward Nordhoff and his wife Josephine invested their life savings of $1,200 to start The Bon Marche at First Avenue and Cedar Street. He modeled his new department store after one he had known in Paris. The Bon Marche moved to the corner of Second Avenue and Pike Street in 1896. By 1901, it had expanded…
ID Number:1983.10.10338
Date:1916
Image of Veterans marching in Memorial Day Parade, Seattle, May 30, 1917
Photograph

Veterans marching in Memorial Day Parade, Seattle, May 30, 1917

This image of First Avenue in downtown Seattle was taken facing north from just south of the intersection of First Avenue and Madison Street. The streets of First Avenue are lined with spectators of the Memorial Day parade which began at First Avenue and Pine Street. Various active members of the military marched in the parade, as well as veterans…
ID Number:1983.10.10554.1
Date:1917
Image of Bon Marche Santa Claus, 1918
Photograph

Bon Marche Santa Claus, 1918

At Christmastime, many Seattle children visited The Bon Marche and other department stores to spend time with Santa Claus. In this 1918 photo, two boys and a girl pose with Santa at The Bon Marche. They are surrounded by blocks, musical instruments, and lots of other toys. Webster & Stevens number: 66050
ID Number:1983.10.10776
Date:1918
Image of Fred Anderson, Paul Horiuchi, Alden Mason, and Ambrose Patterson, Seattle, October 14, 1955
Photograph

Fred Anderson, Paul Horiuchi, Alden Mason, and Ambrose Patterson, Seattle, October 14, 1955

In this image shows the winners of the four top prizes in Art on Pine Street, an annual Seattle sidewalk exhibition. From left: Fred Anderson won the Frederick & Nelson award for "Bon Bon;" Paul Horiuchi won the Seattle Post-Intelligencer award for "Antedeluvian;" Alden Mason received the Bon Marche award for "Grain Forest;" and Ambrose Patterson won the Norman Davis…
ID Number:1986.5.17489.1
Date:1955
Image of Portrait of Charles V. Johnson, Seattle, August 22, 1967
Photograph

Portrait of Charles V. Johnson, Seattle, August 22, 1967

Charles Vernon Johnson (b. 1928) was raised in Arkansas and moved to Seattle in 1954 to attend law school at the University of Washington. Upon graduation, Mr. Johnson went into private practice, and shortly thereafter took on leading roles in both the Seattle Branch of the NAACP and in the Central Area Civil Rights Organization. He was heavily involved in…
ID Number:1986.5.30323.6
Date:1967
Image of Portrait of Grace Denny, circa 1940
Photograph

Portrait of Grace Denny, circa 1940

Grace Denny (1884-1971) was an expert in textiles and professor at the University of Washington (UW). She is unrelated to the Denny family of early Seattle settlers. Denny was born and raised in Nebraska and came to Seattle in 1914 to teach Home Economics at UW. During her time at the university, Denny helped substantially expand the Home Economics program.…
ID Number:2000.107.048.13.01
Date:1940
Image of Charles V. Johnson speaking about the need for open housing legislation, Seattle, March 3, 1964
Photograph

Charles V. Johnson speaking about the need for open housing legislation, Seattle, March 3, 1964

Charles Vernon Johnson (b. 1928) was raised in Arkansas and moved to Seattle in 1954 to attend law school at the University of Washington. Upon graduation, Mr. Johnson went into private practice, and shortly thereafter took on leading roles in both the Seattle Branch of the NAACP and in the Central Area Civil Rights Organization. He was heavily involved in…
ID Number:2000.107.099.31.04
Date:1964
Image of Second Liberty Loan poster outside The Bon Marche, Seattle, October 14, 1917
Photograph

Second Liberty Loan poster outside The Bon Marche, Seattle, October 14, 1917

In 1917, during World War I, the U.S. government borrowed money to pay for the war effort by selling war bonds, known as Liberty Bonds. The Second Liberty Loan aimed to raise $3 billion. During the Second Liberty Loan campaign, a huge replica of a James Montgomery Flagg recruiting poster stood outside the Bon Marche in downtown Seattle. The image…
ID Number:2000.107.233.10.02
Date:1917
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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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