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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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738 results for: Transportation

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Image of The ferry
Photograph

The ferry "Bainbridge" at the Port Blakely dock, circa 1925

When Port Blakely, Washington, was a bustling lumber mill and shipbuilding town, it had regular steamer and ferry service. Even after the shipyard moved in 1903 and the sawmill closed down in 1922, ferry service continued. The "Bainbridge," one of the area's first auto ferries, had the Seattle to Port Blakely run from 1924 to 1937.This photographic postcard, probably made…
ID Number:1977.6486.11
Date:Circa 1925
Image of James Street cable line, Seattle, 1904
Cartographic material

James Street cable line, Seattle, 1904

The map pictured here shows the route of the James Street cable car line from two perspectives: a "bird's eye view looking south" and a profile view. The drawing was produced by The Seattle Electric Company in May 1904, but the route began in 1891. The final cable car on this route ran in 1940, after which the city switched…
ID Number:1977.6521.3a
Date:1904
Image of Track System of Seattle Municipal Street Railway map, January 1920
Cartographic material

Track System of Seattle Municipal Street Railway map, January 1920

Seattle's first street railway line was built in 1888 and over the next three decades at least six different cable car companies operated throughout the city. In 1919 the City of Seattle took over all of the city's transit lines and formed the Seattle Municipal Street Railway (today's METRO). Because of its steep hills, Seattle kept its cable car lines…
ID Number:1977.6521.4
Date:1920
Image of Sternwheeler
Photograph

Sternwheeler "W.K. Merwin" near Dawson, circa 1898

The sternwheeler "W.K. Merwin" carried passengers and freight up and down the Yukon River between St. Michael, on the Alaskan coast, and Dawson, near the Canadian Yukon gold fields. This photo, taken around 1898, shows the "W.K. Merwin" in the Yukon River near Dawson.
ID Number:1978.6557.11
Date:Circa 1898
Image of Alaska Steamship Company at Piers 1 and 2, Seattle, circa 1898
Photograph

Alaska Steamship Company at Piers 1 and 2, Seattle, circa 1898

The Alaska Steamship Company was formed in 1894, initially to ship passengers and fishing products between Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. In 1896 gold was discovered on the banks of the Klondike River in Canada's Yukon Territory, triggering a stampede of prospectors into Seattle and an era of prosperity that lasted for more than a decade. The Alaska Steamship Company…
ID Number:1978.6603.1
Date:Circa 1898
Image of John Dulin and team hauling feed at Arletta, Washington, circa 1905
Postcard

John Dulin and team hauling feed at Arletta, Washington, circa 1905

John Dulin moved to Washington state from Kansas sometime around 1900. By 1905, he was operating a grocery and feed store in Arletta, Washington, near Gig Harbor. At that time, all of the store's supplies had to be brought in by steamer. This photo, taken near Arletta sometime around 1905, shows John Dulin hauling sacks of feed in his wagon.
ID Number:1978.6661.1
Date:Circa 1905
Image of Bus driving through south gate at Fort Lawton, Seattle, circa 1960
Postcard

Bus driving through south gate at Fort Lawton, Seattle, circa 1960

In 1897, the city of Seattle donated land on Magnolia Bluff to the US government to build a new Army post as part of a defense system for Puget Sound; this was designated as Fort Lawton in 1900. During most of its active service, the fort served as an embarkation station where troops gathered before being sent to duty in…
ID Number:1979.6782.x24
Date:Circa 1960
Image of Madison Street cable cars next to Lennon's store on Second Avenue, Seattle, circa 1910
Photograph

Madison Street cable cars next to Lennon's store on Second Avenue, Seattle, circa 1910

This image shows people getting on the Madison Street cable car next to Lennon's Gloves and Umbrellas on Second Avenue. Signs on the store building read "Forced to vacate. $60000.00 worth of gloves, umbrellas and hosiery. Thrown to the mercy of the public." Lennon's store moved from the location shown here into the Baillargeon Building, on Second Avenue and Spring…
ID Number:1980.6877.73
Date:Circa 1910
Image of Pilot Eddie Hubbard with Boeing B-1 mail plane at Lake Union, circa 1925
Photograph

Pilot Eddie Hubbard with Boeing B-1 mail plane at Lake Union, circa 1925

Eddie Hubbard piloted the Boeing B-I flying boat shown here from 1920 to 1927, flying air mail on the first regularly scheduled international airmail route between Seattle and Victoria, BC. The plane could carry two passengers plus mail and cargo. After seven years of service without losing a single piece of mail, the B-1 was retired from airmail service in…
ID Number:1980.6877.176
Date:Circa 1925
Image of Cable car at 2nd Ave. and Cherry St., Seattle, 1908
Photograph

Cable car at 2nd Ave. and Cherry St., Seattle, 1908

In this image taken at Cherry Street facing north on Second Avenue, a woman boards a cable car in the center of a bustling street. Signs in image: Traveler 5¢ Cigars; Granam & Moore Jewelers; Plymouth Shoe Co.; L. L. Moore, Jewelers; Dr. Erwin, Dentist; Crawford, Conover, & Fisken, Fire Insurance; Crawford & Conover, Real Estate; North American Life; Washington…
ID Number:1980.6923.20
Date:1908
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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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