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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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3379 results for: Seattle Photographic Co.

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Image of Adding floors to the County-City Building, circa 1930
Photograph

Adding floors to the County-City Building, circa 1930

In 1916, the new King County Courthouse and Municipal Building, also called the County-City Building, opened on Third Avenue in downtown Seattle. The building, designed by Seattle architect Augustus Warren Gould, was five stories tall, with a partial sixth story for the use of the city engineer. In 1929-1931, architect Henry Bittman's six story addition expanded Gould's original building upwards.This…
ID Number:SHS6523
Date:Circa 1930
Image of Sarah Yesler, circa 1865
Photograph

Sarah Yesler, circa 1865

Sarah Burgert married Henry Yelser in Ohio. Once he was settled in Seattle, she traveled out to join him. Sarah Yesler was active in many civic groups including the Ladies' Relief Society, which helped the needy, and the Ladies' Library Board, which founded Seattle's public library in the home of one of the members. Mrs. Yesler was Seattle's first librarian.…
ID Number:SHS6663B
Date:Circa 1865
Image of Early mill on Lake Washington, circa 1885
Photograph

Early mill on Lake Washington, circa 1885

In the 1870s, thick forests covered the shores of Lake Washington, east of Seattle. As logs were cut, they were floated to small sawmills like this one and cut into lumber, which was used to build the growing city.
ID Number:SHS6671
Date:Circa 1885
Image of Derelict ship Bering on Shilshole Bay, Seattle, January, 1957
Photograph

Derelict ship Bering on Shilshole Bay, Seattle, January, 1957

The steamer Bering was badly damaged following a stranding in southeastern Alaska waters. The ship was towed to Seattle, where it was condemned and sold for $1.00 to the Tregoning Boat Company, located on Seaview Avenue in Ballard. The Tregoning Co. moored her as a breakwater for a proposed small boat mooring at the entrance to the Lake Washington Ship…
ID Number:SHS6717
Date:1957
Image of Seattle Police Department officers sitting for portrait, August 21, 1891
Photograph

Seattle Police Department officers sitting for portrait, August 21, 1891

The Seattle Police Department was officially organized on June 2, 1869, and law enforcement in Seattle began with election of a town marshal, John Tenny Jordan (1832-1886), a stonemason originally from Maine who later served as the city's mayor. By 1890 the city's population had grown to 42,837, and the police force had grown to include the officers pictured here:…
ID Number:SHS6963
Date:1891
Image of View of Third Avenue from Bon Marche sky bridge, Seattle, 1960
Photograph

View of Third Avenue from Bon Marche sky bridge, Seattle, 1960

This north-facing image of Third Avenue in downtown Seattle was taken from the Bon March sky bridge between Pine and Stewart Streets. The distinctive 10-story garage building at the left of the frame was initially called the Circular Ramp Garage and is commonly known as the Bon Marche Parking Garage, built in 1959. Queen Anne Hill rises in the background…
ID Number:SHS7060
Date:1960
Image of Cobblestone cottage, West Seattle, circa 1940
Photograph

Cobblestone cottage, West Seattle, circa 1940

This pebble-covered home still stands at 1123 Harbor Avenue SW. It is one of several cobblestone cottages built in West Seattle, and possibly dates from the 1920s.
ID Number:SHS7141
Date:Circa 1940
Image of Water tank at Firlands Sanatorium, circa 1935
Photograph

Water tank at Firlands Sanatorium, circa 1935

By 1930, the Seattle Water Department had built water mains as far north as the 85th Street city limits. Firlands Sanatorium was located far outside the city limits. While it had enough well water for most uses, it lacked a good supply for fighting fires. The water department was reluctant to run mains that far north because planners were unsure…
ID Number:SHS7174
Date:Circa 1935
Image of Alaskan Way Viaduct under construction, Seattle, circa 1952
Photograph

Alaskan Way Viaduct under construction, Seattle, circa 1952

The Alaskan Way Viaduct was an elevated highway in Seattle which was completed in 1966 after 16 years of construction and decades of planning. The double-decked highway ran along the Elliott Bay waterfront above the surface street, Alaskan Way, following previously existing railroad lines. The viaduct provided Seattle with its first bypass route around the downtown business district. The viaduct…
ID Number:SHS7287
Date:Circa 1952
Image of Women cleaning strawberries at Spokane Street terminal, Seattle, circa 1921
Photograph

Women cleaning strawberries at Spokane Street terminal, Seattle, circa 1921

In 1921 the Port of Seattle completed the Spokane Street Terminal, with nearly 200,000 square feet of space and state-of-the-art cold storage facilities used for freezing, handling, and storing fish from Alaska and local produce until they were exported or sent to local markets. That same year, Puget Sound berry growers harvested 3,160 acres of strawberries, mainly for the processing…
ID Number:SHS7309
Date:Circa 1921
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Land Acknowledgement

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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