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393 results for: Central Area

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Image of Al, Izzy, and Butch Smith at home, Seattle, circa 1948
Photograph

Al, Izzy, and Butch Smith at home, Seattle, circa 1948

Albert Joseph "Al" Smith, Sr. (1916-2008), was a photographer and prolific chronicler of life in Seattle's Central Area during the mid- to late-20th century. From a hobby begun as a preteen, Mr. Smith began his "weekend job" and photography business, On the Spot, in the 1940s, capturing life in the city’s Black community, the Central Area neighborhood, and the local…
ID Number:2014.49.11.12.31
Date:Circa 1948
Image of Neighborhood houses, Seattle, circa 1955
Photograph

Neighborhood houses, Seattle, circa 1955

Al Smith took many photographs in Seattle’s Central District, located between the downtown business district and out along East Madison. Housing discrimination and restrictive real estate covenants meant that this was one of the few areas where African Americans could live. Much of the neighborhood was made up of small older brick or frame houses. Here, two Central Area residents…
ID Number:2014.49.011.019.0090
Date:Circa 1955
Image of Officers escorting man to police van, Seattle, circa 1940
Photograph

Officers escorting man to police van, Seattle, circa 1940

Although Seattle photographer Al Smith is best known for his photos of the Central Area music scene and everyday life in the Black community, he also photographed various scenes he happened upon while out with his camera. In this instance, he captured a series of photos of two police officers restraining a man and escorting him into a police van.…
ID Number:2014.49.013.032.0276
Date:Circa 1940
Image of Group of Beni Hassan shrine members outside Gideon's Drugstore, Seattle, circa 1950
Photograph

Group of Beni Hassan shrine members outside Gideon's Drugstore, Seattle, circa 1950

In addition to his jazz club images, Seattle photographer Al Smith took many photos of family, friends, and other local people in their everyday lives. Here, he photographed a group of men outside Gideon’s Drugstore in the Central Area, at the intersection of 22nd Avenue, Denny Way, and Madison Street. The drugstore was opened by Russell Gideon (1904-1985), a leader…
ID Number:2014.49.15.028.01
Date:Circa 1950
Image of Stunt cowboy jumping off of  platform at rodeo, 1962
Photograph

Stunt cowboy jumping off of platform at rodeo, 1962

The Maguire and Voiss World Champion Rodeo came to Seattle 1962, performing at the Catholic Memorial Stadium at 14th Avenue and Jefferson Street in the Central Area. Cowboys, stunt men, and Hollywood entertainers gave daily performances at the 8500-seat stadium from May 17 through September 14. Here, a stuntman dressed as a cowboy dives off a high platform into a…
ID Number:2014.49.15.047.02
Date:1962
Image of Fred Swanson at the Black and Tan nightclub, February 12, 1945
Photograph

Fred Swanson at the Black and Tan nightclub, February 12, 1945

Seattle's Jackson Street jazz clubs flourished in the first half of the twentieth century, with their popularity peaking in the late 1930s through early 1950s. Seattle-born photographer Al Smith was a familiar figure in the clubs, often taking pictures of musicians and patrons, then returning the following week to sell prints.Here, a man stands inside the entrance to the Black…
ID Number:2014.49.16.089.05
Date:1945
Image of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison at Garfield High School, Seattle, May 7, 1950
Photograph

Mr. and Mrs. Harrison at Garfield High School, Seattle, May 7, 1950

Mr. and Mrs. Harrison and an unidentified woman (left) pose on the front steps of Garfield High School ( 23rd Av. And E Jefferson St.) on May 7, 1950.
ID Number:2014.49.018.004.0007
Date:1950
Image of Contestants for Mardi Gras Queen, Seattle, July 30, 1950
Photograph

Contestants for Mardi Gras Queen, Seattle, July 30, 1950

Twelve young women in formal dress are competing for Queen of the Central Area Mardi Gras. From left to right: unidentified, Royleen Washington, Beverly (Washington) Kelly, unidentified, Francis Jefferson, Gloria (Jenkins) Bowman, Ruth Johnetta (Weber) Latcholia, Leanella Lombard, Gertrude (Johnson) Peoples, Theresa "Willa" (Miller) Frank, unidentified, and Vivian (Meade) Caver.
ID Number:2014.49.018.016.0030
Date:1950
Image of Contestants for Mardi Gras Queen, Seattle, July 30, 1950
Photograph

Contestants for Mardi Gras Queen, Seattle, July 30, 1950

Five young women stand onstage holding bouquets. The one wearing a tiara has been crowned Queen of the 1950 Central Area Mardi Gras. From left to right: Announcer Robert Braxton, Queen Theresa (Willa) Miller Frank, Leanella Lombard, Vivian (Meade) Caver, Beverly (Washington) Kelly, and Gertrude (Johnson) Peoples.
ID Number:2014.49.018.016.0033
Date:1950
Image of Contestants for Mardi Gras Queen, Seattle, July 30, 1950
Photograph

Contestants for Mardi Gras Queen, Seattle, July 30, 1950

These five young woman were finalists for the 1950 Central Area Mardi Gras Queen. From left to right: Beverly (Washington) Kelly, Vivian (Meade) Caver, Queen Theresa (Willa) Miller Frank, Leanella Lombard, and Gertrude (Johnson) Peoples.
ID Number:2014.49.018.017.0034
Date:1950
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