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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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357 results for: Homes and Housing

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Image of War brides and children disembarking from plane, probably in Seattle, 1950
Photograph

War brides and children disembarking from plane, probably in Seattle, 1950

Handwritten on sleeve: World War II - War brides, with Mrs. Ruby Starr, Mrs. John Ross, Mrs. Raymond Trotter, Mrs. Irving Deshwier, Mrs. Roy Spencer.Date photograph was filed at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (date of photograph and file date may differ by a month or more): February 20, 1950.
ID Number:PI28316
Date:1950
Image of Exterior of Minor-Collins home on First Hill, Seattle, circa 1900
Photograph

Exterior of Minor-Collins home on First Hill, Seattle, circa 1900

Situated on the northeast corner of Minor Avenue and Cherry Street, the Minor-Collins Home was built in 1887 by Sarah and Dr. Thomas T. Minor (1844-1889), one of the earliest grand homes built on First Hill. In 1891 when Angela and John Collins (1835-1903) became the new residents, it was still addressed 702 12th Avenue, but the street was soon renamed…
ID Number:SHS166
Date:Circa 1900
Image of Row of houses in Green Lake area, Seattle, circa 1955
Photograph

Row of houses in Green Lake area, Seattle, circa 1955

The area near Seattle's Green Lake is filled with small frame houses, many built in the 1920s. This image shows houses on North 76th Street, in the area between Aurora Avenue and Green Lake. Judging by the metal porch railings and the TV antenna, it was likely taken in the 1950s.
ID Number:SHS4259
Date:Circa 1955
Image of Two gold seekers in their tent, circa 1902
Photograph

Two gold seekers in their tent, circa 1902

Many of the gold seekers and others who poured into the Yukon and Alaska lived in tents, at least for a short time. Photos of tent interiors are relatively unusual, however.In this photo, two men sit on cots in a tent while they enjoy a conversation. Two rifles hang below the makeshift shelf which is crowded with tools and other…
ID Number:SHS5280
Date:Circa 1902
Image of Mayor Robert Harlan standing by a shack at Hooverville, October 27, 1931
Photograph

Mayor Robert Harlan standing by a shack at Hooverville, October 27, 1931

During the Depression of the 1930s, over 600 unemployed people lived in Hooverville, just south of downtown Seattle. There were several other such settlements in the city, and many others around the nation. The average Hooverville resident was a white, unmarried male, about 45 years old. During the booming 1910s and 1920s, he had been a logger, fisherman, miner, or…
ID Number:SHS8661
Date:1931
Image of Hooverville on South Massachusetts Street : unemployed shacks, 1931 , October 27, 1931.
Photograph

Hooverville on South Massachusetts Street : unemployed shacks, 1931 , October 27, 1931.

During the Depression of the 1930s, over 600 unemployed and homeless people lived in shacks just south of the downtown area, on the site of an abandoned shipyard. They built the shacks out of scraps of lumber, cardboard, tarpaper, canvas, and tin which they found around the waterfront. This area was known as Hooverville, named after the American president whom…
ID Number:SHS8767
Date:1931
Image of Residence of Jacob Furth, Seattle, circa 1890
Photograph

Residence of Jacob Furth, Seattle, circa 1890

Jacob Furth was born in Bohemia (now part of the Czech Republic) in 1840. He started out in the clothing and dry goods business in San Francisco before coming to Seattle in 1882. Furth founded one of Seattle's early banks, owned real estate, and was active in the development of the city's street railway system.This photo, taken around 1890, shows…
ID Number:SHS8966
Date:Circa 1890
Image of Canoes and houseboats on Lake Washington, Seattle, 1912
Photograph

Canoes and houseboats on Lake Washington, Seattle, 1912

The unique floating homes of Seattle got their start almost simultaneously with the development of the city itself. Seattle's first industries were logging and fishing, both seasonal enterprises, and it became common for loggers and sailors to build themselves floating shacks from scrap boards during their off seasons. As the trend spread, houseboats were built as permanent homes for families…
ID Number:SHS9025
Date:1912
Image of Thomsen residence, Seattle, circa 1892
Photograph

Thomsen residence, Seattle, circa 1892

This residence was built for Otto Ranke in 1889 at 916 Terry Avenue. It was designed by Elmer Fisher. After Ranke died in 1892, the Moritz Thomsen family purchased the home, and they lived here for many years. The home was razed in 1957. Caption on image: Moritz Thomsen's Residence From MadisonTyped on verso: Thomsen, Moritz - exterior view from…
ID Number:SHS9415
Date:Circa 1892
Image of David Denny at log cabin near Lake Keechelus, 1899
Photograph

David Denny at log cabin near Lake Keechelus, 1899

During the summer of 1899, Seattle pioneer David Denny supervised the improvement of 27 miles of wagon road through Snoqualmie Pass, from North Bend, Washington, to the south end of Lake Keechelus. Between the beginning of June and the end of September, workers blasted and moved rocks, built bridges, resurfaced parts of the old road with logs, and relocated the…
ID Number:SHS9441
Date:1899
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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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