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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 Policemen, Seattle, circa 1909
Photograph

Policemen, Seattle, circa 1909

Handwritten on sleeve: Police men.Webster & Stevens number: 16487
ID Number:1983.10.8897
Date:Circa 1909
Image of Georgetown precinct police, circa 1915
Photograph

Georgetown precinct police, circa 1915

Around 1915, Seattle had neighborhood police headquarters in Ballard, West Seattle, Columbia City, Densmore (now Wallingford), and Georgetown. This photo, taken about 1915, shows the men of the Georgetown precinct, lined up in front of the Georgetown City Hall. The Seattle Public Library and the city's health department had branches in the same building. Webster & Stevens number: 46814
ID Number:1983.10.10183
Date:Circa 1915
Image of Mayor Gill and Police Chief Warren posing together, Seattle, 1917
Photograph

Mayor Gill and Police Chief Warren posing together, Seattle, 1917

In December 1917, Seattle Mayor Hiram C. Gill (1866-1919) appointed Joel "Joe" F. Warren (1858-1934) as chief of police. This photo shows Warren, left, with Mayor Gill in an office, probably shortly after his appointment. Webster & Stevens number: 57714Caption information source: Seattle Times, December 11, 1917, p.1
ID Number:1983.10.10491.1
Date:1917
Image of Police officers standing on cobbled street during Seattle General Strike,  February 1919
Photograph

Police officers standing on cobbled street during Seattle General Strike, February 1919

The Seattle General Strike was a work stoppage by more than 65,000 workers in Seattle from February 6-11, 1919. The strike began in shipyards when workers were refused pay increases after two years of World War I wage controls. Most of the city's 110 local unions, including members of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the Industrial Workers of…
ID Number:1983.10.10697
Date:1919
Image of Seventh and Pike during the Strike, Seattle, February 7, 1919
Photograph

Seventh and Pike during the Strike, Seattle, February 7, 1919

The Seattle General Strike was a work stoppage by more than 65,000 workers in Seattle from February 6-11, 1919. The strike began in shipyards when workers were refused pay increases after two years of World War I wage controls. Most of the city's 110 local unions, including members of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the Industrial Workers of…
ID Number:1983.10.10698.1
Date:1919
Image of Police Chief Joel Warren, Seattle, circa 1918
Photograph

Police Chief Joel Warren, Seattle, circa 1918

Joel "Joe" Warren was Seattle's Chief of Police from 1917 to 1919, active during Prohibition and the Seattle General Strike. Handwritten on sleeve: Chief Warren.Webster & Stevens number: 72043
ID Number:1983.10.10747
Date:Circa 1918
Image of Destruction of an illegal Japanese distillery on 65th Avenue , circa 1918
Photograph

Destruction of an illegal Japanese distillery on 65th Avenue , circa 1918

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 1918, an agent smashes a hole in a fermenting vat during a raid on an illegal still. Webster & Stevens number: 74620
ID Number:1983.10.10787.2
Date:Circa 1918
Image of Raid at an illegal distillery on 65th Avenue, Seattle, circa 1918
Photograph

Raid at an illegal distillery on 65th Avenue, Seattle, circa 1918

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 image, four men who appear to be Japanese-American or of Japanese ethnicity or heritage stand in front of two white men, surrounded by the ruins…
ID Number:1983.10.10787.3
Date:circa 1918
Image of Seattle police women and police van, 1919
Photograph

Seattle police women and police van, 1919

The Seattle Police Department hired women to look after female prisoners in the city jail and to work with women and children in cases of crime or domestic violence. As early as 1901, a police matron was assigned to King Street Station to protect women traveling alone. Another early police matron cared for runaway children in her home, because the…
ID Number:1983.10.12318
Date:1919
Audio recording

Oral history interview with Maurice Carlson, January 8, 1985

Interview conducted by Lorraine McConaghy with Maurice Carlson for the Life on the Homefront Oral History Project on January 8, 1985. Carlson was born in Seattle on February 16, 1915. He spent his career as a clerk and later secretary in the Seattle police department.During World War II, Maurice Carlson worked as a night shift clerk for the Seattle police…
ID Number:1985.134.3
Date:1985
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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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