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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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154 results for: American House

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Image of Portrait of B. Marcus Priteca, circa 1955
Photograph

Portrait of B. Marcus Priteca, circa 1955

Scottish-born architect and designer Benjamin Marcus Priteca (1889-1971) arrived in Seattle around 1909. From 1910 to 1929, he worked exclusively for vaudeville magnate Alexander Pantages (1876-1936), designing more than 150 theaters, including Seattle's Coliseum, Orpheum, Paramount, and Admiral Theatres. Priteca also lent his design expertise to several synagogues, Longacres Racetrack, and Seattle Center Opera House. Priteca was named a fellow…
ID Number:1980.7021.62.2
Date:Circa 1955
Image of Program for
Program

Program for "The Birth of a Nation " at Clemmer Theatre, 1915

James Q. Clemmer opened the 1,200 seat Clemmer Theater at 1414 Third Avenue on April 12, 1912, one of the first theaters in the country made primarily to show motion pictures. Clemmer had established his first movie house - the Dream Theater that included a pipe organ - in an unused storefront in Pioneer Square in 1908. Clemmer went on…
ID Number:1981.7191.5
Date:1915
Image of Hotel Kalmar guest register, Seattle, 1903-1914
Ephemera

Hotel Kalmar guest register, Seattle, 1903-1914

August Niklasson Brand (1862-1950) and Anna Amelia (Erlandson) Brand (1869-1952), were Swedish immigrants who married in 1893 in Seattle. In 1903, August and Anna bought the Western Hotel (aka, The Michigan), which was built around 1880 and located at the corner of Sixth Avenue and James Street. They renamed it the Hotel Kalmar, after Anna's home town in Sweden, and…
ID Number:1981.7328.176
Date:1903-1914
Image of Goon Dip and family, circa 1910
Photograph

Goon Dip and family, circa 1910

Goon Dip (circa 1862-1933), one of the most influential Chinese people in the history of Washington state, worked his way up from poverty to become a wealthy merchant and successful labor contractor who provided employment in the canneries for hundreds of Chinese immigrants. He served as China’s honorary consul to Washington State and Alaska. He also built the Milwaukee Hotel…
ID Number:1982.4.1
Date:Circa 1910
Image of The Heart of Greater Seattle poster, June 1909
Poster

The Heart of Greater Seattle poster, June 1909

In 1909, prosperous Seattle proudly showed itself to the world as a place to do business. In addition to producing the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition world’s fair, city boosters published maps and other materials to promote commercial interests.This panorama, entitled “The Heart of Greater Seattle: The Gateway to Alaska and the Orient," shows several miles of the city’s waterfront and the Cascade…
ID Number:1982.20.47
Date:1909
Image of South Park Fieldhouse and playground, Seattle, circa 1913
Postcard

South Park Fieldhouse and playground, Seattle, circa 1913

The South Park Fieldhouse was one of the first recreation buildings constructed by the Seattle Parks Department and served the diverse community of South Park. Dedicated in 1913, the field house contained a gym complete with lockers and showers, a social room, a crafts room, kitchen, and staff room. The ball field was used by a variety of sports organizations,…
ID Number:1982.156.6
Date:Circa 1913
Image of Civic Auditorium, Seattle, circa 1929
Photograph

Civic Auditorium, Seattle, circa 1929

The Civic Auditorium was built in the late 1920s as part of a complex of public facilities in what is now Seattle Center. The Civic Arena, Veterans Hall, and a stadium were built at the same time. All provided large, new gathering spaces for Seattle's growing population. The Civic Auditorium was remodeled in 1962 and is now the Seattle Opera…
ID Number:1983.10.3481.1
Date:Circa 1929
Image of Front Street from Frye's Opera House, circa 1885
Photograph

Front Street from Frye's Opera House, circa 1885

Between 1880 and 1884, Seattle's population grew from 3,533 to 12,632. The city spent $250,000 on street improvements. Businesses along Front Street near Madison and Spring Streets included Frye's Opera House, a market, a drug store, and a boot and shoe store. A nearby stationery store also sold books, magazines, and wallpaper.This photo, taken from Frye's Opera House around 1885,…
ID Number:1983.10.6241
Date:Circa 1885
Image of First Avenue and Spring Street, Seattle, circa 1911
Photograph

First Avenue and Spring Street, Seattle, circa 1911

Amos Brown (1833-1899) was an prominent Seattle lumberman and real estate owner in the late 1800s. He built the family house featured at the center of this photograph around 1870 after his marriage. The house survived the Great Seattle Fire, and other buildings and businesses were built around it, until the house's demolition in 1914. Signs in image: Grand Pacific.…
ID Number:1983.10.6280
Date:Circa 1911
Image of King Street railroad yard, Seattle, circa 1883
Photograph

King Street railroad yard, Seattle, circa 1883

In 1881, the Oregon Improvement Company expanded the King Street Coat Wharf with a new trestle, along with two new docks and warehouses. This new wharf was the end point of the Columbia & Puget Sound Railroad, where cargo was loaded into ships. Original photo copied by Webster & Stevens.Handwritten on sleeve: Eng. House of Columbia & Puget Sound RR,…
ID Number:1983.10.6322
Date:Circa 1883
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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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