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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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736 results for: Transportation

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Image of Medina ferry dock, Medina, May 30, 1914
Photograph

Medina ferry dock, Medina, May 30, 1914

Medina, Washington, a suburb of Bellevue on the eastern shore of Lake Washington, was platted as Medina Heights in February 1914. The community was served by ferries and steamers from Leschi, four miles across the lake to the southwest. On May 30, 1914, a photographer snapped this peaceful scene of the Medina lakeshore and ferry dock. Lee number 2372.Caption on…
ID Number:SHS8776
Date:1914
Image of The last day of the Yesler cable car run, August 9, 1940
Photograph

The last day of the Yesler cable car run, August 9, 1940

Seattle's Yesler Street cable car line was the first in the Pacific Northwest and only the seventh in the world. It carried passengers and freight along the 2.25 mile track between the downtown area and Leschi Park in sixteen minutes. The Yesler Street line opened in September 1888 and ran until August 1940. By that time, there were over 100,000…
ID Number:SHS8836
Date:1940
Image of Ballard Bridge, Seattle, July 3, 1938
Photograph

Ballard Bridge, Seattle, July 3, 1938

In 1917, the opening of the first Ballard Bridge over the Lake Washington Ship Canal connected Ballard's business district to downtown Seattle by way of Fifteenth Avenue West and Elliott Avenue. Wooden trestles supported the two-lane roadway, streetcar tracks and sidewalk for most of the bridge's length. After twenty years of increased vehicular traffic and urban growth, the bridge was…
ID Number:SHS8968
Date:1938
Image of James Street cable car, circa 1912
Photograph

James Street cable car, circa 1912

Seattle's James Street cable car line opened in 1890. The fare was five cents, or $1.00 per month for students. After consolidation into the Union Trunk Line, it carried passengers and freight up the very steep slope of First Hill and on to Broadway and Madrona Park. During the regrading of James Street and Third Avenue, around 1912, the cable…
ID Number:SHS9022
Date:Circa 1912
Image of Gazebo in Pioneer Square, Seattle, 1901
Photograph

Gazebo in Pioneer Square, Seattle, 1901

Before about 1905, Pioneer Square was the heart of Seattle's central business district. Large brick buildings were built after the Great Fire of 1889, and the square was the start of many of the city's streetcar lines. Typed on verso: Pioneer Place 1901SHS category: Streets
ID Number:SHS9129
Date:1901
Image of Madison Street cable car off its track, Seattle, circa 1905
Photograph

Madison Street cable car off its track, Seattle, circa 1905

Typed on verso: Madison Street Cable Car off track, Seattle.SHS category: Transportation - Cable Car
ID Number:SHS9157
Date:Circa 1905
Image of Fremont Bridge from south, Seattle, March 18, 1915
Photograph

Fremont Bridge from south, Seattle, March 18, 1915

Signs in image: Carl [Dienor?] Groceries. Hay, Grain, Feed & Flour - Wholesale & Retail. [Lundberg?] Lake Union Shop - Horseshoeing & Blacksmithing.Caption on image: 3-18-15.Typed on verso: Fremont Bridge on March 18, 1915, picture taken from Fulton Street and Dexter Avenue North. Photograph was ordered by City Engineering Dept. in preparation for a new bridge. Old bridge was wood…
ID Number:SHS9200
Date:1915
Image of Packtrain in Silverton, Washington, circa 1895
Photograph

Packtrain in Silverton, Washington, circa 1895

In 1891, a group of Snohomish County, Washington, miners named their new town Silverton for its veins of silver-bearing ore. This and nearby mining areas also yielded gold, copper, and lead. In the early days, the mining companies packed supplies in and out of the district by horse and mule trains. This 1890s photo shows Johnny Jones' packtrain leaving the…
ID Number:SHS9429
Date:Circa 1895
Image of Loading passengers for steamer
Photograph

Loading passengers for steamer "St. Paul," circa 1903

There is no harbor at Nome, Alaska, and when the Nome gold rush started in 1899, there wasn't even a city. Even as the settlement grew, it was challenging for passengers to arrive or leave by sea. Vessels anchored in deep water and barges carried the passengers between the ship and the shore. The Sesnon Lighterage Company provided ferry service…
ID Number:SHS9545
Date:Circa 1903
Image of Landing sheep at Nome for Carstens Brothers & Dashley, circa 1900
Photograph

Landing sheep at Nome for Carstens Brothers & Dashley, circa 1900

There is no harbor at Nome, Alaska, and when the Nome gold rush started in 1899, there wasn't even a city. It was a challenge for ships to bring in passengers and supply the new town with food and fuel. Vessels anchored in deep water and barges brought freight and passengers to the shore through the shallows. Each year, supplies…
ID Number:SHS9552
Date:1900
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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
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