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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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707 results for: Labor and Labor Unions

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Image of Gus Carlson's machinists union dues book, 1919-1923
Logbook

Gus Carlson's machinists union dues book, 1919-1923

The Seattle General Strike was a work stoppage by more than 65,000 workers in Seattle from February 6-11, 1919. The strike began in shipyards when workers were refused pay increases after two years of World War I wage controls. Most of the city's 110 local unions joined the walkout in solidarity with the shipyard workers. Although the strike was non-violent…
ID Number:1977.6478.2
Date:1919-1923
Image of Two workmen in Port Blakely Mill boiler room, circa 1900
Photograph

Two workmen in Port Blakely Mill boiler room, circa 1900

Captain William Renton founded the first Port Blakely mill in 1864 on Bainbridge Island's Blakely Harbor. The mill burned down and was rebuilt in 1888. The rebuilt mill was the largest sawmill on the Pacific Coast and was a major employer on Bainbridge Island. The mills boiler house contained three 300-horsepower boilers that converted sawdust and scrap wood into steam.…
ID Number:1977.6486.61
Date:Circa 1900
Image of Family on the porch of a mill house at Port Blakely, 1909
Photograph

Family on the porch of a mill house at Port Blakely, 1909

The Port Blakely Mill Company had a large lumber mill and company town on Bainbridge Island, across from Seattle. In the early 1880s, the company built a row of almost-identical clapboard cottages for its workers. An 1882 photo shows plain light-colored houses without covered porches or plantings. In photos taken around 1900, the houses have porches with gingerbread millwork. The…
ID Number:1977.6486.65
Date:1909
Image of Henry Ziegler home at Port Blakely, circa 1900
Photograph

Henry Ziegler home at Port Blakely, circa 1900

The Port Blakely Mill Company had a large lumber mill and company town on Bainbridge Island, across from Seattle. In the early 1880s, the company built a row of almost-identical clapboard cottages for its workers. An 1882 photo shows plain light-colored houses without covered porches or plantings. In photos taken around 1900, the houses have porches with gingerbread millwork. The…
ID Number:1977.6486.66
Date:1900
Image of Mill company house at Port Blakely with flowers on porch, circa 1900
Photograph

Mill company house at Port Blakely with flowers on porch, circa 1900

Captain William Renton founded the Port Blakely mill in 1864 on Bainbridge Island's Blakely Harbor. In the 1880s the mill became the largest sawmill on the Pacific Coast and was a major employer on Bainbridge Island. In 1879 Hall Brothers Shipyard moved its operations to Port Blakely and during this period Renton built houses for the families of mill workers,…
ID Number:1977.6486.67
Date:Circa 1900
Image of Row of mill company houses in Port Blakely showing wooden tracks along road, circa 1900
Photograph

Row of mill company houses in Port Blakely showing wooden tracks along road, circa 1900

Captain William Renton founded the Port Blakely mill in 1864 on Bainbridge Island's Blakely Harbor. In the 1880s the mill became the largest sawmill on the Pacific Coast and was a major employer on Bainbridge Island. In 1879 Hall Brothers Shipyard moved its operations to Port Blakely and during this period Renton built houses for the families of mill workers,…
ID Number:1977.6486.68
Date:Circa 1900
Image of Miners' cottages at Issaquah, circa 1915
Photograph

Miners' cottages at Issaquah, circa 1915

Sometime around 1913, German Count Alvo von Alvensleben bought 2,000 or so acres at Issaquah and planned a modern coal mining operation. Unlike other local companies, his Issaquah & Superior Coal Mining Company welcomed miners' unions and offered decent pay and work hours to the miners. Unfortunately, World War I put an end to Alvensleben's plans by cutting off funding…
ID Number:1978.6585.53i
Date:Circa 1915
Image of Joseph Mayer & Bros. worker with clock dial for Chehalis County Courthouse, circa 1910
Photograph

Joseph Mayer & Bros. worker with clock dial for Chehalis County Courthouse, circa 1910

Jos. Mayer and Bros. began in 1897 in Seattle and manufactured many clocks during the first two decades of the 1900s. This photograph shows a seven and a half foot bronze clock dial made by Jos. Meyer and Bros. for the Chehalis County Courthouse in Montesano, Washington.Austin Seward worked for both Pierson and Co. and Bainbridge Studio. This photograph is…
ID Number:1980.6877.5.60
Date:Circa 1910
Image of Seattle Tent & Awning Co. employees, Seattle, circa 1925
Photograph

Seattle Tent & Awning Co. employees, Seattle, circa 1925

Seattle Tent and Awning Company was begun by S. W. Robb (1866-1929) when he arrived in Seattle in 1896; in 1919 he sold the business to Thomas H. McGroge. The company advertised as "Manufacturers and Jobbers" of silk and canvas tents and goods for mountaineers, sportsmen, and lumber camps. During WWI the plant was the largest producer of goods in…
ID Number:1980.6877.95
Date:Circa 1925
Image of Men stacking lumber at Seattle Cedar Lumber Manufacturing Company, circa 1920
Photograph

Men stacking lumber at Seattle Cedar Lumber Manufacturing Company, circa 1920

The Seattle Cedar mill, located just west of the north end of the Ballard Bridge, opened in 1890. This and other Ballard mills turned out millions of shingles and board feet of lumber until the shrinking supply of cedar logs brought about the end of the industry. The mill was rebuilt after a huge fire in 1958, but closed for…
ID Number:1980.6877.118
Date:Circa 1920
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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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