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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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506 results for: Government and Public Services

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Image of Margaret Starkweather registering to vote, Seattle, September 26, 1964
Photograph

Margaret Starkweather registering to vote, Seattle, September 26, 1964

On September 26, 1964, Margaret Starkweather had her son, Roscoe, bring her down to the Holly Park Wigwam store to register to vote for the upcoming November election. Mrs. Starkweather said "getting her signed up" was his birthday present to her; she would turn 105 years old shortly after the election. Asked for the secret to her longevity, Mrs. Starkweather…
ID Number:PI25072
Date:1964
Image of First women mail carriers, December 1942
Photograph

First women mail carriers, December 1942

Before December 1942, only men delivered mail on foot in Seattle. With so many men away serving in World War II, the postal service decided to give female carriers a try. Starting in mid-December, Donna Pennington and Ardyth Hamilton sorted mail at the Broadway station and delivered it to homes and businesses on Capitol Hill.This photo shows Seattle residents Donna…
ID Number:PI25090
Date:1942
Image of Japanese Americans waiting to register for exclusion, Seattle, April 26, 1942
Photograph

Japanese Americans waiting to register for exclusion, Seattle, April 26, 1942

In this image Japanese American residents of Seattle wait to be processed at the civil control station at 2100 Second Avenue in preparation for exclusion. The envelope they are carrying contains the different blanks used by all of the various government agencies working on the registration. After Civilian Exclusion Order No. 17 was posted Japanese Americans were given one week…
ID Number:PI28062
Date:1942
Image of Japanese Americans registering for exclusion, Seattle, April 26, 1942
Photograph

Japanese Americans registering for exclusion, Seattle, April 26, 1942

In this image Japanese American residents of Seattle are processed for exclusion at the civil control station, converted from an old theater, at 1319 Rainier Avenue. After Civilian Exclusion Order No. 17 was posted Japanese Americans were given one week to register and to prepare for departure. Those that failed to comply by remaining in the area after the appointed…
ID Number:PI28063
Date:1942
Image of Inauguration of Governor Elisha Peyre Ferry, Olympia, November 11, 1889
Photograph

Inauguration of Governor Elisha Peyre Ferry, Olympia, November 11, 1889

Elisha Peyre Ferry (1825-1895) was the first governor of Washington State. Ferry was a Republican lawyer who had twice been Governor of Washington Territory, the only one to serve two terms. On Washington's admission as a state on November 11, 1889, he became its inaugural governor. In his first summer, he had to supervise the rebuilding of three major cities…
ID Number:SHS174
Date:1889
Image of King County Courthouse courtroom, circa 1885
Photograph

King County Courthouse courtroom, circa 1885

In 1882, the government of King County occupied a wood frame courthouse at Third Avenue, between Jefferson Street and Yesler Way in downtown Seattle. In 1890, the county moved its offices up the hill to a new courthouse near the present site of Harborview Hospital and sold the old building to the city of Seattle.This photo by J.C. Haines shows…
ID Number:SHS215
Date:Circa 1885
Image of City of Seattle Health Office, Yesler Way, circa 1900
Photograph

City of Seattle Health Office, Yesler Way, circa 1900

The Seattle City Council created the position of City Health Officer in 1877. The Health Officer had the responsibility to abate nuisances affecting the public health and to prevent the spread of contagious disease, especially smallpox. Between 1877 and 1890, ten different local doctors served in the role. An amended City Charter in 1908 replaced the Board of Health with…
ID Number:SHS218
Date:Circa 1900
Image of King County Hospital, Georgetown, circa 1900
Photograph

King County Hospital, Georgetown, circa 1900

The Seattle City Council created the position of City Health Officer in 1877. The Health Officer had the responsibility to abate nuisances affecting the public health and to prevent the spread of contagious disease, especially smallpox. Between 1877 and 1890, ten different local doctors served in the role. An amended City Charter in 1908 replaced the Board of Health with…
ID Number:SHS222
Date:Circa 1900
Image of City Hall at 3rd and Jefferson, Seattle, circa 1900
Photograph

City Hall at 3rd and Jefferson, Seattle, circa 1900

In 1876, King County purchased a lot from Henry Yesler for the price of $3,500 and built the first King County building on county owned property. The two-story wood, stone and brick structure occupied the corner of Third Avenue and Jefferson Street (the present site of City Hall Park) and cost $17,000 to build. It housed the jail in the…
ID Number:SHS250
Date:Circa 1900
Image of Members of Seattle Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, 2nd and Columbia, Seattle, 1883
Photograph

Members of Seattle Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, 2nd and Columbia, Seattle, 1883

The creation of the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) can be traced back to July 6th, 1876, when the all-volunteer Seattle Engine Company No.1 was organized. In 1883, the City Charter was amended to create and fund equipment, but not staff, for a centralized municipal fire department. The volunteer-based system persisted until pressure from the insurance industry and citizens after the…
ID Number:SHS323
Date:1883
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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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