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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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357 results for: Homes and Housing

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Image of Children eating a meal at Ryther Child Home, circa 1921
Photograph

Children eating a meal at Ryther Child Home, circa 1921

Ollie H. Ryther became known as Mother Ryther in the 1880s after taking motherless children into her own home. Later, she founded several homes for orphans and children whose parents were unable to take care of them. The Ryther organization continues as the Ryther as of 2025 and specializes in supporting mental health in children.This photo was taken in the…
ID Number:1983.10.1998.4
Date:Circa 1921
Image of House for sale in downtown Seattle, circa 1919
Photograph

House for sale in downtown Seattle, circa 1919

By the 1920s, Seattle had changed from a city of small, wooden buildings to a city of brick and stone. This photo was taken about 1919 on Fourth Avenue, between Columbia and Marion Streets. It shows Seattle's oldest standing home now for sale, dwarfed by the growing city. To the left of the house is the red brick Rainier Club.…
ID Number:1983.10.2016
Date:Circa 1919
Image of View of Lake Union from Capitol Hill, Seattle, circa 1922
Photograph

View of Lake Union from Capitol Hill, Seattle, circa 1922

This view of Lake Union shows a working Gas Works in the middle ground and house on Capitol Hill in the foreground. Handwritten on sleeve: Lake Union Panorama.Webster & Stevens number: 86336
ID Number:1983.10.2261.3
Date:Circa 1922
Image of Landslide in West Seattle, December 12, 1921
Photograph

Landslide in West Seattle, December 12, 1921

In December 1921, torrential rains caused train wrecks, washed out bridges, and flooded Seattle streets and neighborhoods. Mrs. Samuel Adams of West Seattle and her two stepsons were buried in mud when their house was swept away by a landslide. Nine men were injured in a second slide while trying to recover the bodies.This photo shows the damage from the…
ID Number:1983.10.2402.6
Date:1921
Image of St. Paul Apartments, Seattle, circa 1920
Photograph

St. Paul Apartments, Seattle, circa 1920

During the first quarter of the twentieth century, several mid-rise apartment buildings were constructed throughout the city. The St. Paul Apartments at Seneca and Summit Avenue is a good example of this new type of residence. Handwritten on sleeve: St. Paul Apts.Photographer's Reference Number: 95948
ID Number:1983.10.2601
Date:Circa 1920
Image of Spring Apartments, Seattle, circa 1923
Photograph

Spring Apartments, Seattle, circa 1923

In the first quarter of the twentieth century, several multi-storied apartment buildings were constructed. The Spring Apartments at 1100 5th Avenue was situated in the heart of downtown, adjacent to the YWCA building. Handwritten on sleeve: Spring Apts Ext & Int.Photographer's Reference Number: 95839
ID Number:1983.10.2619.1
Date:Circa 1923
Image of Olympic Manor house under construction, April 7, 1926
Photograph

Olympic Manor house under construction, April 7, 1926

Seattle grew quickly after 1900. New residential areas extended out from the central city. Houses in those areas were often individually built by skilled carpenters and other craftsmen.In this photo, two plasterers stand by a new house in Olympic Manor, a housing development in north Seattle in the Crown Hill neighborhood. They are mixing plaster for surfacing the interior walls.…
ID Number:1983.10.3148.2
Date:1926
Image of Olympic Manor house under construction, April 7, 1926
Photograph

Olympic Manor house under construction, April 7, 1926

Seattle grew quickly after 1900. New residential areas extended out from the central city. Houses in those areas were often individually built by skilled carpenters and other craftsmen.In this photo, two plasterers stand by a new house in Olympic Manor, a housing development in north Seattle in the Crown Hill neighborhood. They are mixing plaster for surfacing the interior walls.…
ID Number:1983.10.3148.3
Date:1926
Image of New homes in Laurelhurst, circa 1925
Photograph

New homes in Laurelhurst, circa 1925

Beginning in 1906, a group of local property owners started promoting Laurelhurst as a good place to live. Although the city annexed the area in 1910, until the 1920s it was difficult to get there except by railroad or by ferry from Madison Park. Laurelhurst grew faster after the Montlake Bridge was completed in 1925 and roads were improved. This…
ID Number:1983.10.3171.3
Date:Circa 1925
Image of West Seattle proud of fine homes, May 1926
Photograph

West Seattle proud of fine homes, May 1926

After World War I ended, home building boomed all over the United States. This included West Seattle, which was now connected to Seattle by ferry, streetcar, and road. More and more people owned cars, and builders began to include garages in their new houses. This photo shows a new home at 1925 Sunset Avenue in West Seattle, with its garage…
ID Number:1983.10.3216.5
Date:1926
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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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