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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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1512 results for: City of Seattle

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Image of Pioneer Square decorated for Potlatch, 1911
Photograph

Pioneer Square decorated for Potlatch, 1911

The Tilikums of Elttaes were a fraternal, civic organization composed primarily of influential white Seattle area businessmen, who used Native American imagery to promote tourism and the economic development of the city. In July 1911 the Tilikums ("Friends" in Chinook Jargon; Elttaes is Seattle spelled backward) organized the first Golden Potlatch celebration. The Golden Potlatch was a city-wide festival held…
ID Number:1983.10.9439.2
Date:1911
Image of Hotel Sorrento, circa 1912
Photograph

Hotel Sorrento, circa 1912

By 1912, a number of hotels had been built just outside Seattle's downtown area for people traveling on business or pleasure. The Hotel Sorrento, 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:1983.10.9468.1
Date:Circa 1912
Image of Occidental and Yesler, Seattle, circa 1913
Photograph

Occidental and Yesler, Seattle, circa 1913

Signs in image: Chas. F. Keenan Co. Grocers. Chauncey Wright. Restaurant. Queen City Hotel.Handwritten on sleeve: Occidental & YeslerWebster & Stevens number: 26906
ID Number:1983.10.9631
Date:Circa 1913
Image of View northeast from Smith Tower, Seattle, circa 1914
Photograph

View northeast from Smith Tower, Seattle, circa 1914

As the tallest building west of the Mississippi, the Smith Tower, at Second Avenue and Yesler Way, offered fantastic views of Seattle and surrounding areas. In this scene Lake Union lies directly north in the distance. In the lower right corner is the dome-roofed Seattle First United Methodist Church and the gable-roofed Rainier Club. In left center rise the two…
ID Number:1983.10.9650.1
Date:Circa 1914
Image of View east from Smith Tower, Seattle, circa 1914
Photograph

View east from Smith Tower, Seattle, circa 1914

At the time of its completion in 1914 the Smith Tower was the fourth tallest building in the world, allowing for unobstructed views. This northeasterly view shows the old King County Courthouse with its raised dome at right center atop Profanity Hill. Harborview Hospital now stands in its place. Handwritten on sleeve: City View E. from Smith Tower.Photographer's Reference Number:…
ID Number:1983.10.9650.2
Date:Circa 1914
Image of View northeast from Smith Tower, Seattle, circa 1914
Photograph

View northeast from Smith Tower, Seattle, circa 1914

The Smith Tower at the corner of Second Avenue and Yesler Way was the tallest building outside of New York when it opened in 1914. It offered unobstructed views of the city and surrounding areas. This scene shows Queen Anne Hill at left in the distance and Lake Union directly to the north. In the lower right corner, the dome-roofed…
ID Number:1983.10.9667
Date:Circa 1914
Image of Yesler Way from Fourth Avenue, circa 1913
Photograph

Yesler Way from Fourth Avenue, circa 1913

In 1913, Seattleites looking west from the top of the stairway from Fourth Avenue to Yesler Way would have seen several new buildings. Most eye-catching was the almost-complete Smith Tower, then the tallest building west of the Mississippi River.In this photo, taken around 1913, the new Hotel Seward stands at the base of Smith Tower, and the Frye Hotel stands…
ID Number:1983.10.9741
Date:Circa 1913
Image of City street car barn, circa 1915
Photograph

City street car barn, circa 1915

Seattle's electric streetcar system had a number of buildings where the cars could be housed or serviced. These were called streetcar barns. This photo, taken around 1915, shows the Seattle Municipal Railway car barn at Third Avenue North, just south of the the Lake Washington Ship Canal. Webster & Stevens number: 38553
ID Number:1983.10.9804
Date:Circa 1915
Image of Municipal streetcar, Seattle, circa 1915
Photograph

Municipal streetcar, Seattle, circa 1915

Seattle's streetcars were originally pulled along tracks by horses. The first electrically-powered streetcars and cablecars began service in 1889. Most of the early lines were independent and privately-owned. Later, most of the lines became part of the city's street railway system.This photo, taken around 1915, shows Seattle Municipal Railway Car #100 headed to Columbia. Like today's electric city buses, the…
ID Number:1983.10.9805
Date:Circa 1915
Image of Construction of the County-City Building, first phase, circa 1914
Photograph

Construction of the County-City Building, first phase, circa 1914

On June 11, 1914, county commissioners, contractors, and citizens gathered in downtown Seattle and officially broke ground for King County and Seattle's new County-City Building. Over the next few months, workmen moved nearly 57,000 cubic yards of dirt and then started to pour the 192 reinforced concrete footing piers.This 1914 photo, taken during the earthmoving phase of the project, shows…
ID Number:1983.10.9812.2
Date:Circa 1914
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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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