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HomeCollections and ResearchCollections Search

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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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507 results for: Government and Public Services

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Image of Men in Metro Sewer project pipe, Seattle, February 1962
Photograph

Men in Metro Sewer project pipe, Seattle, February 1962

The Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle, commonly known as Metro, was designed to provide regional solutions for the problems of King County's fast-growing metropolitan area. In 1958, after rejecting a proposal for an agency with authority over a range of issues, voters approved a plan authorizing Metro to deal with a single pressing problem -- wastewater treatment. Over the next decade,…
ID Number:1981.7227.7.1
Date:1962
Image of Metro Quarterly, April 1964
Ephemera

Metro Quarterly, April 1964

The Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle, commonly known as Metro, was designed to provide regional solutions for the problems of King County's fast-growing metropolitan area. In 1958, after rejecting a proposal for an agency with authority over a range of issues, voters approved a plan authorizing Metro to deal with a single pressing problem -- wastewater treatment. Over the next decade,…
ID Number:1981.7227.11
Date:1964
Image of Puddle backfill, Keechelus Dam, circa 1917
Postcard

Puddle backfill, Keechelus Dam, circa 1917

East of the Cascade Mountains, rainfall is unpredictable and farming is difficult without a steady supply of water. As early as 1890, various private irrigation projects tried to remedy this by diverting water from the mountains to the dry land below. By 1906, the United States Bureau of Reclamation had bought several reservoir sites, including Lake Keechelus. This photo, taken…
ID Number:1981.7333.78
Date:Circa 1917
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 South Park Fieldhouse and playground, Seattle, circa 1913
Postcard

South Park Fieldhouse and playground, Seattle, circa 1913

The South Park Fieldhouse was one of the first recreation buildings constructed by the Seattle Parks Department and served the diverse community of South Park. Dedicated in 1913, the field house contained a gym complete with lockers and showers, a social room, a crafts room, kitchen, and staff room. The ball field was used by a variety of sports organizations,…
ID Number:1982.156.6
Date:Circa 1913
Image of Librarian and child at Seattle Public Library's University Branch, circa 1925
Photograph

Librarian and child at Seattle Public Library's University Branch, circa 1925

The University Branch of the Seattle Public Library (SPL) opened in 1910 at Roosevelt Way NE and 50th Street, and was SPL's second branch library. Before the construction of the University Branch, the University District had been served by small library deposit stations as well as temporary libraries located in the University Pharmacy and the University Methodist Church. Industrialist Andrew…
ID Number:1983.10.578
Date:1925
Image of City Light power plant on Lake Union, circa 1926
Photograph

City Light power plant on Lake Union, circa 1926

Seattle City Light built a coal-burning steam plant in 1906 to generate electricity for the growing city. With its large windows and smokestacks, this distinctive building on Lake Union is still a landmark. The power plant operated until 1984. It is now the home of a research company which has preserved the building's earlier character.This photo, taken in the mid-1920s,…
ID Number:1983.10.608
Date:Circa 1926
Image of Columbia City Branch Library, Seattle, circa 1927
Photograph

Columbia City Branch Library, Seattle, circa 1927

Opened in 1915, this was the smallest of Seattle's Carnegie libraries. The building was designed by W. Marbury Somervell and Harlan Thomas. Handwritten on sleeve: Columbia City libraryCaption information source: Seattle Public LibraryWebster & Stevens number: 122159
ID Number:1983.10.745
Date:Circa 1927
Image of General strike participants leaving shipyards, Seattle, February 1919
Photograph

General strike participants leaving shipyards, Seattle, February 1919

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, including members of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the Industrial Workers of…
ID Number:1983.10.1347.3
Date:1919
Image of Putting out the fire at the Hotel Lincoln, April 7, 1920
Photograph

Putting out the fire at the Hotel Lincoln, April 7, 1920

The Seattle Fire Department battled a large blaze at the Hotel Lincoln on April 7, 1920. The fire broke out in the middle of the night in the hotel's basement laundry room. By the time it was discovered, it had had burned upwards inside the walls. Many guests were trapped upstairs and had to be rescued by ladder or rope.…
ID Number:1983.10.1870.2
Date: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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