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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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406 results for: Construction and Urban Planning

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Image of Meadow Creek, Washington, circa 1917
Postcard

Meadow Creek, Washington, circa 1917

The Keechelus Dam, at the south end of Lake Keechelus, was completed in 1917. For several summers, dam construction workers lived at a camp called Meadow Creek. The temporary town had a post office, school, store, YMCA, and several other businesses. Almost everyone left during the winter, except for about 25 families who stayed on to take care of the…
ID Number:1981.7333.111
Date:Circa 1917
Image of Bridge construction at the Green River Gorge, circa 1914
Photograph

Bridge construction at the Green River Gorge, circa 1914

In 1914 and 1915, workers replaced the old road bridge which crossed the Green River Gorge near Franklin, Washington. The old bridge had been built in the late 1880s. This photo shows both the old and the new bridges. Compare the size of the workmen waving from the unfinished bridge with the size of the structures and the depth of…
ID Number:1982.20.6
Date:Circa 1914
Image of Olympic Hotel under construction, May 2, 1924
Photograph

Olympic Hotel under construction, May 2, 1924

Seattle's Olympic Hotel, is still a downtown landmark. It was built from steel, brick, concrete, and terra cotta. Like many taller city buildings, the decoration on the lower floors is much more detailed than that on the upper floors. The elegance of the lower floors was meant to attract people at street level.This photo shows the wooden catwalks and scaffolding…
ID Number:1983.10.309.1
Date:1924
Image of Formal gardens, reservoir, and pavilion at Volunteer Park, circa 1914
Photograph

Formal gardens, reservoir, and pavilion at Volunteer Park, circa 1914

In the early 1900s, the Olmsted Brothers firm of landscape designers submitted a plan for Volunteer Park to the city of Seattle. The design included curving roads and formal gardens. A water tower was built in 1906, and the conservatory was added in 1912.This photo shows the reservoir, small lily ponds, gardens, and a long pavilion with a bandstand at…
ID Number:1983.10.463.2
Date:Circa 1914
Image of View of the Denny Regrade area, circa 1925
Photograph

View of the Denny Regrade area, circa 1925

Denny Hill, which stood north of Seattle's downtown was thought to block the city's growth. The steep hill was removed in two stages between the 1890s and the 1930s, and the land was regraded. The area where Denny Hill stood is still known as the Denny Regrade.This photo was taken in about 1925, after the first Denny Hill regrading project.…
ID Number:1983.10.498
Date:Circa 1925
Image of Liggett Building under construction, Seattle, March 14, 1927
Photograph

Liggett Building under construction, Seattle, March 14, 1927

This picture shows the Fourth & Pike Building under construction. At that time, it was called the Liggett Building. Signs in image: Liggett Building - "Where Traffic Flows" - Store, Shop & Office Space - For [...] and [...] Tenants - Goodwin Real Estate Co. The Rexall Store - The Largest Retail Drug Business in the World - Liggetts Drugs…
ID Number:1983.10.659
Date:1927
Image of Houses under construction at Queen Anne Park, April 19, 1927
Photograph

Houses under construction at Queen Anne Park, April 19, 1927

Queen Anne Hill, northwest of Seattle's downtown, became a popular place to live as the city grew. Queen Anne Park, on the northwest side of the hill, was started in 1926 and was the last major housing development in the area before the Depression. In this 1927 photo, houses are under construction at Queen Anne Park on Queen Anne Hill.…
ID Number:1983.10.700.1
Date:1927
Image of Edmundson Pavilion under construction, University of Washington, Seattle, circa 1927
Photograph

Edmundson Pavilion under construction, University of Washington, Seattle, circa 1927

This athletic facility was originally named the Men's Athletic Pavilion, but was renamed Hec Edmundson Pavilion in the mid-1940s to honor Clarence "Hec" Edmundson, a longtime basketball and track and field coach. Handwritten on sleeve: U of W Stadium Crowds Etc.Webster & Stevens number: 127718
ID Number:1983.10.937.3
Date:Circa 1927
Image of University Bridge under construction, circa 1919
Photograph

University Bridge under construction, circa 1919

The University Bridge over the Lake Washington Ship Canal opened to traffic in 1919. It was the first bridge in Seattle, perhaps in the country, to use open mesh steel decking. This lighter construction material allowed the bridge to be wider and carry more traffic. This bridge has also been known as the Eastlake Avenue Bridge and the Tenth Avenue…
ID Number:1983.10.1378
Date:Circa 1919
Image of New homes on Capitol Hill, Seattle, circa 1915
Photograph

New homes on Capitol Hill, Seattle, circa 1915

Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood is part of a long ridge that overlooks downtown, and was logged off beginning in the 1880s. The neighborhood's chief developer, James Moore (1861-1929), gave the hill its name in 1901.This view of newly constructed craftsman-style houses was taken at what appears to be 18th Avenue NE and E Galer Street. The residences may have been…
ID Number:1983.10.1538.10
Date:Circa 1915
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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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