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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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257 results for: Restaurants

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Image of Customers shopping inside Co-operative Grocery Store No. 1, Seattle, circa 1918
Photograph

Customers shopping inside Co-operative Grocery Store No. 1, Seattle, circa 1918

The Co-operative Grocery was part of the South End Public Market operating at Washington Street and Third Avenue South. The union-run market's offerings included restaurants, fresh produce, fresh and cured meats, and free delivery. This photo shows men and women shopping at the grocery, with a cart full of Crescent Baking Powder in the middle, a sign explaining that "This…
ID Number:1983.10.1377
Date:Circa 1918
Image of Women in working in kitchen at Frederick & Nelson, Seattle, circa 1920
Photograph

Women in working in kitchen at Frederick & Nelson, Seattle, circa 1920

The first Frederick & Nelson retail store opened in 1889, right after Seattle's great fire. By 1916, the company was doing so well that it built a large new store at Fifth Avenue and Pike Street, which many people thought was too far out of town. Frederick & Nelson was one of Seattle's landmark companies for over a century. It…
ID Number:1983.10.1407.5
Date:Circa 1920
Image of Hollywood Fountain, circa 1920
Photograph

Hollywood Fountain, circa 1920

Soda fountains were very popular in the early 1900s. They were often located in drugstores. Some had tile floors, marble counters, and fancy mirrors. The person behind the counter mixed soft drinks from scratch using fruit syrups and carbonated water. Customers sat at the counter and sipped their drinks or ate ice cream. The Hollywood Fountain was located at 212…
ID Number:1983.10.1438.1
Date:Circa 1920
Image of Alder Beach Manor, April 22, 1925
Photograph

Alder Beach Manor, April 22, 1925

Alder Beach Manor, on the waterfront in Des Moines, Washington, opened for business in 1916 as the Alder Beach Hotel. By the 1920s, improved road connections to Seattle and Tacoma made Alder Beach Manor a popular spot for dinner, dancing or a few days' stay. When the hotel caught fire in 1930, the tide was out too far for fire…
ID Number:1983.10.1496
Date:1925
Image of Sorrento Hotel tea room, Seattle, circa 1921
Photograph

Sorrento Hotel tea room, Seattle, circa 1921

By 1910, a number of hotels had been built just outside Seattle's downtown area for people traveling on business or pleasure. The Sorrento Hotel, which advertised itself as "A hotel in the heart of things," opened on First Hill in 1908. It had Seattle's first rooftop restaurant, a roof garden, and scenic views of the city, the bay, and the…
ID Number:1983.10.2171.4
Date:Circa 1921
Image of Sorrento Hotel dining room, Seattle, circa 1921
Photograph

Sorrento Hotel dining room, Seattle, circa 1921

By 1910, a number of hotels had been built just outside Seattle's downtown area for people traveling on business or pleasure. The Sorrento Hotel, which advertised itself as "a hotel in the heart of things," opened on First Hill in 1908. It had Seattle's first rooftop restaurant, a roof garden, and scenic views of the city, the bay, and the…
ID Number:1983.10.2195.3
Date:Circa 1921
Image of Christmas decorations on University Way, Seattle, circa 1926
Photograph

Christmas decorations on University Way, Seattle, circa 1926

University Way, nicknamed "The Ave" is the business district closest to the University of Washington. University students, faculty, and staff can easily walk to the University Bookstore, restaurants, banks, and other businesses in the area. This photo, taken around 1926, shows the Ave decorated for Christmas. Signs in image: Enterprise Furniture Co. [Mar...tts]. Wallin [...]. Music Store. Store No. 11…
ID Number:1983.10.3434.2
Date:Circa 1926
Image of Interior of The Ranch roadhouse, August 3, 1929
Photograph

Interior of The Ranch roadhouse, August 3, 1929

In Washington state, Prohibition lasted from 1916 until 1933. During that time, making, selling, owning or drinking alcoholic beverages was against the law except for strictly-defined "family use." Individuals, restaurants, nightclubs, and roadhouses often found ways around these difficult-to-enforce state and federal laws. In Seattle, people who wanted an evening of dancing and dining, and perhaps an illegal drink, could…
ID Number:1983.10.4077.2
Date:1929
Image of The Ranch roadhouse, circa 1937
Photograph

The Ranch roadhouse, circa 1937

In the late 1930s, Washington restaurants could serve beer and wine but no mixed drinks by the glass unless patrons supplied their own bottles of liquor. Liquor laws tended to be less strict outside city limits. This stimulated the growth of country bottle clubs and roadhouses which catered to those willing to drive out of town for a drink. In…
ID Number:1983.10.4584.1
Date:Circa 1937
Image of Meves Cafeteria, Seattle, 1934
Photograph

Meves Cafeteria, Seattle, 1934

Located in the triangle-shaped Nestor Building at 1611 Westlake Avenue, Meves Cafeteria was a popular restaurant in Seattle. The cafeteria opened in 1917 at 1415 Third Avenue. It moved to Second Avenue and Seneca Street in 1920, and again to Fourth and Pine in 1926. In 1932, the cafeteria moved to this location on Westlake in 1932, and stayed here…
ID Number:1983.10.4964.23
Date:1934
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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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