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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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650 results for: Lake Washington

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Image of Montlake canal, Seattle, circa 1900
Photograph

Montlake canal, Seattle, circa 1900

Before the building of the Lake Washington Ship Canal, a small canal connected Lake Washington with Lake Union's Portage Bay. This photo shows the canal in the Montlake area. Caption on image: S.P.Co.Photographer's Reference Number: 1587
ID Number:Lib1988.33.30
Date:Circa 1900
Image of Black River, near Renton, circa 1898
Photograph

Black River, near Renton, circa 1898

The Black River, at the south end of Lake Washington, was once the lake's main drainage channel. It was also the main route for commerce between the lakeside towns and Seattle on Elliott Bay. In the 1910s, the building of the Lake Washington Ship Canal changed the drainage pattern of the lake, and the Black River slowly disappeared. The old…
ID Number:Lib1988.33.92
Date:Circa 1898
Image of Anders Wilse and camera in Lake Washington, circa 1900
Photograph

Anders Wilse and camera in Lake Washington, circa 1900

Norwegian Anders Wilse arrived in Seattle in the spring of 1890. Photography was an important part of his various jobs as civil engineer, cartographer, and property tax assessor. In 1897, however, he decided to become a full time outdoor photographer. Until his return to Norway in 1900, Wilse took many photographs in and around Seattle, documenting the both the area's…
ID Number:Lib1988.33.97
Date:Circa 1900
Image of Campers at Lake Washington, 1900
Photograph

Campers at Lake Washington, 1900

Some of the parks on Seattle's Lake Washington provided platforms for tent camping. City dwellers could escape to the woods and spend the warm summer days and nights by the lakeshore.This photo, taken by Anders Wilse for the Seattle Photo Company, shows a shady campsite by the shores of Lake Washington. A canoe and several other small boats are hauled…
ID Number:Lib1988.33.100
Date:1900
Image of Interior of Burke home
Photograph

Interior of Burke home "Illahee"on Lake Washington, circa 1898

Judge Thomas Burke and his wife Caroline had a large home on Seattle's Boyleston Avenue on Capitol Hill. They built a summer home, which they named Illahee, on the western shore of Lake Washington.This photo, taken by Anders Wilse between 1897 and 1900, shows the living room at Illahee. The Burkes have followed one of the fashions of the times…
ID Number:Lib1988.33.135
Date:Circa 1898
Image of Exterior of Burke home
Photograph

Exterior of Burke home "Illahee" on Lake Washington, circa 1898

Judge Thomas Burke and his wife Caroline had a large home on Seattle's Boyleston Avenue on Capitol Hill. They built a summer home, which they named Illahee, on the western shore of Lake Washington.This photo shows the exterior of Illahee, the Burke's summer home on Lake Washington. The Burkes built their retreat in a fashionable rustic bungalow style, with rough…
ID Number:Lib1988.33.137
Date:Circa 1898
Image of Canoes on Black River, circa 1898
Photograph

Canoes on Black River, circa 1898

Until 1916, the Black River linked Lake Washington with the Duwamish River, and the water was deep enough for steamboats to travel between towns on the lake and Puget Sound. After the lake was lowered in 1916, during construction of the Lake Washington Ship Canal, the Black River dried up and gradually disappeared. This photo shows the Black River as…
ID Number:Lib1988.33.238
Date:Circa 1898
Image of Black River, Seattle, circa 1899
Photograph

Black River, Seattle, circa 1899

Before the building of the Lake Washington Ship Canal lowered the level of Lake Washington, the Black River linked lake commerce with Puget Sound by way of the Duwamish River. After the lowering of the lake during the summer of 1916, the Black River dried up and gradually disappeared. This photo shows the Black River as it looked around 1898-1900.
ID Number:Lib1988.33.284
Date:Circa 1899
Image of Black River with farmhouse in distance, circa 1899
Photograph

Black River with farmhouse in distance, circa 1899

Until 1916, the Black River linked Lake Washington with the Duwamish River, and the water was deep enough for steamboats to travel between towns on the lake and Puget Sound. After the lake was lowered in 1916, during construction of the Lake Washington Ship Canal, the Black River dried up and gradually disappeared. This photo shows the Black River as…
ID Number:Lib1988.33.286
Date:Circa 1899
Image of Ferry
Photograph

Ferry "King County" on the ways, March 6, 1900

The ferry "King County," launched in 1900, was the first county-operated ferry on Lake Washington. The vessel was ill-fated from the start. During its launching, the vessel got stuck on a mud bank and boats had to be called in to rescue the dignitaries on board. Continued problems caused the county to condemn the ferry in 1908.This photo, taken in…
ID Number:Lib1988.33.438
Date:1900
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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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