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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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672 results for: Lake Washington

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Image of Aerial view, looking northeast, of the top of the Space Needle, Seattle, 1962
Photograph

Aerial view, looking northeast, of the top of the Space Needle, Seattle, 1962

Designed by architect John Graham, the Space Needle is easily the most recognizable structure built for the 1962 Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). The Space Needle was built in less than one year for 4.5 million dollars by the Howard S. Wright Construction Company. The top of the Needle is 605 feet high, with the main observation deck at…
ID Number:1987.59.131.63
Date:1962
Image of Don't Fail to See Ravenna (or Big Tree Park), 1909
Ephemera

Don't Fail to See Ravenna (or Big Tree Park), 1909

Seattle's Ravenna Park was among the few areas that escaped the logger's ax in the late 1800s, thus preserving stunning examples of giant old-growth Douglas Firs. Centered around a stream that ran from Green Lake to Union Bay, the park opened in 1887 as Ravenna Springs Park, named for the Italian town which sits beside an ancient forest. Owners William…
ID Number:1987.69.1
Date:1909
Image of Don't Fail to See Ravenna (or Big Tree Park), 1909
Ephemera

Don't Fail to See Ravenna (or Big Tree Park), 1909

Seattle's Ravenna Park was among the few areas that escaped the logger's ax in the late 1800s, thus preserving stunning examples of giant old-growth Douglas Firs. Centered around a stream that ran from Green Lake to Union Bay, the park opened in 1887 as Ravenna Springs Park, named for the Italian town which sits beside an ancient forest. Owners William…
ID Number:1987.69.2
Date:1909
Image of Anderson Steamboat Company ticket office, circa 1906
Photograph

Anderson Steamboat Company ticket office, circa 1906

In 1906, Captain John Anderson consolidated Lake Washington's three steamboat services into one company, the Anderson Steamboat Company. Reliable transportation to the many communities around the lake helped to stimulate their growth.This photo, probably taken sometime in the 1900s, shows a group of men sitting near an Anderson Steamboat Company ticket office at an unidentified location on Lake Washington. Handwriting…
ID Number:1989.10.1
Date:Circa 1906
Image of Crowd at the Anderson shipyard, July 3, 1918
Photograph

Crowd at the Anderson shipyard, July 3, 1918

In 1907, Captain John Anderson joined with the owners of the Bartsch & Tompkins shipyard at Houghton, Washington to found Anderson Shipbuilding Corporation. With the outbreak of World War I in Europe in 1914 and the opening of the Lake Washington Ship Canal in 1917, Anderson modernized the yard and started building larger ships. In 1918, the shipyard built four…
ID Number:1989.10.4
Date:1918
Image of Launching of the ferry
Photograph

Launching of the ferry "Issaquah," 1914

In 1914, the Anderson Steamboat Company launched the ferry "Issaquah." The vessel was one of the first in the Pacific Northwest designed to carry automobiles as well as horsedrawn vehicles. Until 1918, the "Issaquah" sailed between Leschi, Mercer Island and Newport, where it linked up with the new highway to North Bend. The "Issaquah" could also be rented for excursions…
ID Number:1989.10.5
Date:1914
Image of Ballard Locks, Seattle, circa 1920
Postcard

Ballard Locks, Seattle, circa 1920

For years, there was no easy or cheap way to move logs, coal, and other resources directly from the east side of Lake Washington to Elliott Bay. There were many plans and several attempts to build a canal via Lake Union. However, none was successful until the Lake Washington Ship Canal was built in 1911 to 1917.The Hiram Chittenden Locks…
ID Number:1989.73.17
Date:Circa 1920
Image of Blanchard Boat Co. building on Lake Union, Seattle, 1946
Photograph

Blanchard Boat Co. building on Lake Union, Seattle, 1946

The Blanchard Boat Company was one of the leading yacht builders of Seattle. Founded by N.J. (Norman J.) Blanchard (1885-1954) in 1905, the company built nearly 2,000 boats over its 64-year history, including commercial ships, classic motor cruisers, and sailing yachts, some of which are still in use today. Following N.J.'s death in 1954, his son Norman C. Blanchard (1911-2009)…
ID Number:1989.89.25
Date:1946
Image of Motor yacht
Photograph

Motor yacht "Conquista," former submarine chaser converted by Blanchard Boat Co., Seattle, circa 1921

The Blanchard Boat Company was one of the leading yacht builders of Seattle. Founded by N.J. (Norman J.) Blanchard (1885-1954) in 1905, the company built nearly 2,000 boats over its 64-year history, including commercial ships, classic motor cruisers and sailing yachts, some of which are still in use today. Following N.J.'s death in 1954, his son Norman C. Blanchard (1911-2009)…
ID Number:1989.89.272
Date:Circa 1921
Image of Mary Louise Frye Fortson Kirk, circa 1898
Photograph

Mary Louise Frye Fortson Kirk, circa 1898

Mary Louise "Minnie" (Frye) Fortson Kirk was born Feb. 6, 1864 in Seattle to George Frederick Frye and Louisa Catherine Denny Frye (daughter of Seattle pioneer Arthur Armstrong Denny). Minnie married George Haley Fortson on March 4, 1896, in Seattle, but he was killed in the Philippines during the Philippine-American War on March 26, 1899. In 1924, Minnie married Dr.…
ID Number:1990.45.36
Date:Circa 1898
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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.
Address: 860 Terry Ave N, Seattle WA, 98109
Phone: 206 324 1126
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