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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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376 results for: Manufacturing

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Image of Aerial view of Lake Union, taken from the southwest, Seattle, 1967
Photograph

Aerial view of Lake Union, taken from the southwest, Seattle, 1967

In 1882, lumber mills, shipyards, and other industries began to move north from Seattle’s waterfront to the shores of Lake Union. Industrial development continued with Seattle’s growth but shrank after World War II. A few shipyards remained by the late 1960s, plus some light industry, apartments, parking lots, fast food restaurants, marinas, and a seaplane terminal. Roads were built and…
ID Number:1980.7067.1.24.1
Date:1967
Image of Aerial view of Lake Union looking northeast, Seattle, 1967
Photograph

Aerial view of Lake Union looking northeast, Seattle, 1967

In 1882, lumber mills, shipyards, and other industries began to move north from Seattle’s waterfront to the shores of Lake Union. Industrial development continued with Seattle’s growth but shrank after World War II. A few shipyards remained by the late 1960s, plus some light industry, apartments, parking lots, fast food restaurants, marinas, and a seaplane terminal. Roads were built and…
ID Number:1980.7067.1.29.1
Date:1967
Image of Aerial view of South Lake Union looking northeast, Seattle, 1967
Photograph

Aerial view of South Lake Union looking northeast, Seattle, 1967

In 1882, lumber mills, shipyards, and other industries began to move north from Seattle’s waterfront to the shores of Lake Union. Industrial development continued with Seattle’s growth but shrank after World War II. A few shipyards remained by the late 1960s, plus some light industry, apartments, parking lots, fast food restaurants, marinas, and a seaplane terminal. Roads were built and…
ID Number:1980.7067.1.36.1
Date:1967
Image of Aerial view of the northern part of Lake Union, looking northeast, Seattle, 1967
Photograph

Aerial view of the northern part of Lake Union, looking northeast, Seattle, 1967

In 1882, lumber mills, shipyards, and other industries began to move north from Seattle’s waterfront to the shores of Lake Union. Industrial development continued with Seattle’s growth but shrank after World War II. A few shipyards remained by the late 1960s, plus some light industry, apartments, parking lots, fast food restaurants, marinas, and a seaplane terminal. Roads were built and…
ID Number:1980.7067.1.36.2
Date:1967
Image of Workers at Ames Drydock, Seattle, circa 1920
Photograph

Workers at Ames Drydock, Seattle, circa 1920

St. Louis native Edgar Ames (1868-1944) moved to Seattle from Chicago in 1895 and in 1916 founded the Ames Shipbuilding & Drydock Company in Seattle. The modern plant he built on Harbor Island covered 20 acres and included a floating drydock. During World War I the yard produced 25 steel tankers and cargo steamships for the U.S. Shipping Board, and…
ID Number:1981.7286.1
Date:Circa 1920
Image of Ames Log, Issue 21, November 24, 1919
Ephemera

Ames Log, Issue 21, November 24, 1919

St. Louis native Edgar Ames (1868-1944) moved to Seattle from Chicago in 1895 and in 1916 founded the Ames Shipbuilding & Drydock Company in Seattle. The modern plant he built on Harbor Island covered 20 acres and included a floating drydock. During World War I the yard produced 25 steel tankers and cargo steamships for the U.S. Shipping Board, and…
ID Number:1981.7373.1
Date:1919
Image of H.L. Bennett Box Factory, circa 1898
Photograph

H.L. Bennett Box Factory, circa 1898

In 1898 or 1899, Harry L. Bennett opened a box factory on First Avenue South in Seattle. The factory produced wooden boxes and crates which were used by a number of local businesses for carrying and shipping goods. According to Seattle city directories, the H.L. Bennett Box Factory was in operation at various locations south of downtown Seattle until the…
ID Number:1981.7394.1
Date:Circa 1898
Image of Boeing Parade of Progress chart, 1965
Poster

Boeing Parade of Progress chart, 1965

Harl Vaughn Brackin, Jr. (1920-1977), began his career at The Boeing Company in Seattle as an engineer and in the early 1940s became a lead wind-tunnel designer. He later used his talents as an illustrator to create the product genealogy pictured here, "Boeing Parade of Progress," which depicts of all the propeller airplanes, jet airplanes, and helicopters produced by Boeing…
ID Number:1982.20.3.3.dd
Date:1965
Image of Launching of the Steamship
Photograph

Launching of the Steamship "Bellata," Seattle, April 17, 1918

Patterson-McDonald Shipbuilding Co. was founded during World War I by Adam Patterson and Alex M. McDonald. According to the Seattle Daily Times, the company went into bankruptcy in 1920 due to protracted legal battle with the Government of Australia over the cancellation of part of a contract to build nine steamships. The shipping company was also idle during the Seattle…
ID Number:1982.34.1
Date:1918
Image of O.B. Williams Co. receipt, September 2, 1915
Ephemera

O.B. Williams Co. receipt, September 2, 1915

The O. B. Williams Company was established in 1889 by Owen B. Williams in Fairhaven, Washington, to manufacture windows, doors, and other building materials. By 1902 the company had moved to 1308 Third Ave in downtown Seattle, and in 1911 the company moved to a 40,000 square foot store and factory at 1943 First Avenue South. As of 2025, O.…
ID Number:1982.200.19
Date:1915
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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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