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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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771 results for: Transportation

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Image of Aerial view of Interstate 5 and Northgate Mall, Seattle, March 10, 1965
Photograph

Aerial view of Interstate 5 and Northgate Mall, Seattle, March 10, 1965

Interstate 5 (I-5) is the main Interstate Highway on the West Coast of the United States, and Seattle's largest and widest freeway. The section shown in this aerial photograph was the part of I-5 built between 1960-1966 to connect Kent to Seattle. The direction of the photograph is looking north and west, with Northgate Mall in the center of the…
ID Number:2009.23.173
Date:1965
Image of Aerial view of the construction of the Westlake monorail station, Seattle, March 9, 1962
Photograph

Aerial view of the construction of the Westlake monorail station, Seattle, March 9, 1962

The Century 21 Exposition (also known as the Seattle World's Fair) ran from April 21, 1962, to October 21, 1962. Nearly 10 million people attended the fair. As planned, the exposition left behind a fairground and numerous public buildings and public works; some credit it with revitalizing Seattle's economic and cultural life. The site, slightly expanded since the fair, is…
ID Number:2009.23.543
Date:1962
Image of Plank road on Elliott Avenue at West Mercer Place, Seattle, August 3, 1921
Photograph

Plank road on Elliott Avenue at West Mercer Place, Seattle, August 3, 1921

This south-facing image of Elliott Avenue at West Mercer Place shows cars traveling on a wood plank road near streetcar tracks.James P. Lee (1894-1963) was the City of Seattle's Engineering Department photographer from 1922-1957. Photographer's number: 4544
ID Number:2009.55.46.92
Date:1921
Image of Elliott Avenue from Denny Way to Garfield St., Seattle, January 4, 1922
Photograph

Elliott Avenue from Denny Way to Garfield St., Seattle, January 4, 1922

This north-facing view shows the muddy road conditions along Elliott Avenue between Denny Way and Garfield Street.James P. Lee (1894-1963) was the City of Seattle's Engineering Department photographer from 1922-1957. Photographer's number: 4595
ID Number:2009.55.46.114
Date:1922
Image of Aurora Speedway race program, 1936
Program

Aurora Speedway race program, 1936

The Aurora Speedway was built in 1932 as an expansion of Playland, a popular amusement park built in 1930 near Bitter Lake in Seattle. The oval track and large wooden grandstand fronted Aurora Avenue between North 130th and North 135th Streets. The park suffered a series of fires in the 1950s, and public interest began to wane as other means…
ID Number:2010.65.3
Date:1936
Image of Fremont streetcar and pedestrians along waterfront, Seattle, circa 1900
Photograph

Fremont streetcar and pedestrians along waterfront, Seattle, circa 1900

In this photo, the "Fremont 16" streetcar runs on tracks along the west side of Lake Union, with a smartly dressed couple strolling on the adjacent wooden walkway. The letters "SE Ry" are worked into the ornate metalwork on the electrical poles, initials of the Seattle Electric Railway Company. Though unattributed, the photograph was probably taken by Seattle photographer John…
ID Number:2011.26.7.12
Date:Circa 1900
Image of Sidewheel steamboat Kirkland docked on east side of Lake Washington, circa 1890
Photograph

Sidewheel steamboat Kirkland docked on east side of Lake Washington, circa 1890

Though unattributed, the photograph was probably taken by Seattle photographer John P. Soule.
ID Number:2011.26.7.45
Date:Circa 1890
Image of Steamship moored at Oregon Improvement Company Dock B, Seattle waterfront, circa 1890
Photograph

Steamship moored at Oregon Improvement Company Dock B, Seattle waterfront, circa 1890

Though unattributed, the photograph was probably taken by Seattle photographer John P. Soule.
ID Number:2011.26.7.46
Date:Circa 1890
Image of Electric cars in the Golden Potlatch parade, Seattle, July 1911
Photograph

Electric cars in the Golden Potlatch parade, Seattle, July 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:2011.79.1.150
Date:1911
Image of Elliott Bay Water Taxi poster, Seattle, 1997
Poster

Elliott Bay Water Taxi poster, Seattle, 1997

West Seattle is Seattle's oldest and biggest neighborhood, situated on a peninsula in Elliott Bay. Early public transportation between West Seattle and Seattle was mostly limited to the irregular and infrequent service provided by “Mosquito Fleet” steamships that traveled from port to port around Puget Sound. In 1888 the West Seattle Land and Improvement Company built a dock and launched…
ID Number:2012.26.65
Date:1997
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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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