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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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272 results for: Lake Union

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Image of Abandoned gas plant, Seattle, circa 1967
Photograph

Abandoned gas plant, Seattle, circa 1967

Seattle’s Lake Union was once primarily an industrial lake ringed by lumber mills, shipyards, tar and asphalt companies, and a gas works. Starting in the early 1900s, the Seattle Gas Company supplied natural gas, made from coal, to Seattle's homes and businesses. Its nearby tar plant produced coal tar products. The plants were shut down in 1956. By the late…
ID Number:1980.7067.1.1.2
Date:Circa 1967
Image of Floating homes on Lake Union, Seattle, circa 1967
Photograph

Floating homes on Lake Union, Seattle, circa 1967

Houseboats have been popular in Seattle for many years. These included fancy summer houseboats on Lake Washington soon after the opening of the Yesler cable car line in 1888 and both upper class and working-class floating homes on Lake Union. Most houseboats were cheap to live in, and public opinion against them was sometimes strong. By 1967, fewer than 500…
ID Number:1980.7067.1.15.2
Date:Circa 1967
Image of People waiting to cross Pike Street at Fourth Ave., Seattle, 1967
Photograph

People waiting to cross Pike Street at Fourth Ave., Seattle, 1967

This image shows the intersection of 4th Avenue and Pike Street, looking south along 4th. A Sander's Lunch diner advertising Arden ice cream is visible across the intersection, in the Joshua Green Building. The Carroll's Fine Jewelry street clock, which is now located at the Museum of History & Industry in Lake Union Park, can be seen behind the Pike…
ID Number:1980.7067.1.17.1
Date:1967
Image of Aerial view of Lake Union, taken from the southwest, Seattle, 1967
Photograph

Aerial view of Lake Union, taken from the southwest, Seattle, 1967

In 1882, lumber mills, shipyards, and other industries began to move north from Seattle’s waterfront to the shores of Lake Union. Industrial development continued with Seattle’s growth but shrank after World War II. A few shipyards remained by the late 1960s, plus some light industry, apartments, parking lots, fast food restaurants, marinas, and a seaplane terminal. Roads were built and…
ID Number:1980.7067.1.24.1
Date:1967
Image of Aerial view of Lake Union looking northeast, Seattle, 1967
Photograph

Aerial view of Lake Union looking northeast, Seattle, 1967

In 1882, lumber mills, shipyards, and other industries began to move north from Seattle’s waterfront to the shores of Lake Union. Industrial development continued with Seattle’s growth but shrank after World War II. A few shipyards remained by the late 1960s, plus some light industry, apartments, parking lots, fast food restaurants, marinas, and a seaplane terminal. Roads were built and…
ID Number:1980.7067.1.29.1
Date:1967
Image of Aerial view of South Lake Union looking northeast, Seattle, 1967
Photograph

Aerial view of South Lake Union looking northeast, Seattle, 1967

In 1882, lumber mills, shipyards, and other industries began to move north from Seattle’s waterfront to the shores of Lake Union. Industrial development continued with Seattle’s growth but shrank after World War II. A few shipyards remained by the late 1960s, plus some light industry, apartments, parking lots, fast food restaurants, marinas, and a seaplane terminal. Roads were built and…
ID Number:1980.7067.1.36.1
Date:1967
Image of Aerial view of the northern part of Lake Union, looking northeast, Seattle, 1967
Photograph

Aerial view of the northern part of Lake Union, looking northeast, Seattle, 1967

In 1882, lumber mills, shipyards, and other industries began to move north from Seattle’s waterfront to the shores of Lake Union. Industrial development continued with Seattle’s growth but shrank after World War II. A few shipyards remained by the late 1960s, plus some light industry, apartments, parking lots, fast food restaurants, marinas, and a seaplane terminal. Roads were built and…
ID Number:1980.7067.1.36.2
Date:1967
Image of Brace & Hergert Mill Co., Western Mills receipt, April 10, 1911
Ephemera

Brace & Hergert Mill Co., Western Mills receipt, April 10, 1911

In 1899, John S. Brace and Frank Hergert, purchased the Western Mill on the southern shore of Lake Union from it's founder, early Seattle settler David Thomas Denny (1832-1903). They had both previously been employed at the mill, and lived in the small community that had grown up around the mill. They changed the mill's name to Brace & Hergert,…
ID Number:1982.200.3
Date:1911
Image of Sailors in the Naval Training Station bowling alley, circa 1918
Photograph

Sailors in the Naval Training Station bowling alley, circa 1918

During World War I, the University of Washington had a U.S. Navy training station on the shores of Lake Union. Before the camp closed in 1919, over 5,000 men had been trained there for both naval and naval aviation units.In this photo, sailors at the Naval Training Center bowl during their off-duty hours. At the far end of the alleys,…
ID Number:1983.10.68
Date:Circa 1918
Image of Sailors peeling potatoes at naval training camp, Seattle, circa 1918
Photograph

Sailors peeling potatoes at naval training camp, Seattle, circa 1918

During World War I, the U.S. Navy had a training station on the University of Washington campus. The Navy buildings were on the shore of Lake Union, near where the university's health sciences center is now located. This image shows sailors at the training station peeling potatoes. Handwritten on sleeve: U.S.N.T. Camp Spud PeelingWebster & Stevens number: 66157
ID Number:1983.10.69
Date:Circa 1918
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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.
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