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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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415 results for: Entertainment

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Image of Madison Park docks, Seattle, circa 1911
Photograph

Madison Park docks, Seattle, circa 1911

Madison Park, at the end of the Madison Street cable car line, was one of Seattle's privately-developed "trolley parks." In addition to a ferry landing, it had a pavilion, a boathouse, picnic areas, piers, a promenade, and offshore bandstands with shoreline seating. Caption on image: Madison Park.Handwritten on sleeve: Madison Park.Photographer's Reference Number: 827
ID Number:1983.10.6715
Date:Circa 1911
Image of Clubhouse at The Meadows, circa 1907
Photograph

Clubhouse at The Meadows, circa 1907

As early as 1872, Seattle had regular horse racing. Starting in 1902, racing fans flocked to The Meadows, south of downtown Seattle on the current site of Boeing Field. The Meadows closed in 1909, when Washington State made racetrack betting illegal. This photo, taken sometime between 1902 and 1909, shows the clubhouse at The Meadows, south of downtown Seattle. On…
ID Number:1983.10.6738.2
Date:Circa 1907
Image of Swimmers at Alki Beach, Seattle, 1912
Photograph

Swimmers at Alki Beach, Seattle, 1912

In July 1905, the West Seattle newspaper reported that the Alki natatorium was a wonderful success in its first year of operation. The "bathing tank"--130 feet long, 53 feet wide and up to 9 feet deep--was filled directly from Puget Sound daily. The adjacent pavilion hosted social dances on Saturday evenings. Caption on image: Alki Beach Bathing Pavilion, Seattle.Handwritten on…
ID Number:1983.10.6779
Date:1912
Image of Exterior of Alki Natatorium, 1905
Photograph

Exterior of Alki Natatorium, 1905

In 1905, the Alki Point Transportation Company opened the Alki Natatorium in West Seattle. Visitors could swim in the heated waters of the 130-foot long swimming pool or dance under paper lanterns in the adjacent pavilion.This photo shows a daytime view of the Alki Natatorium around the time of its 1905 opening. The larger part of the shingled building houses…
ID Number:1983.10.7328.1
Date:1905
Image of Luna Park, Seattle, 1905
Photograph

Luna Park, Seattle, 1905

West Seattle's Luna Park was named for Luna, the Roman goddess of the moon. The amusement park was a popular place for Seattleites to swim, dance, and have fun. They could ride on a giant water slide, a roller coaster, or a carousel, or have a drink at what was advertised as "the longest bar on the bay." They could…
ID Number:1983.10.7424.1
Date:1905
Image of Dreamland Skating Rink, Seattle, circa 1908
Photograph

Dreamland Skating Rink, Seattle, circa 1908

Sign in image: This Hall Can Be Rented for Dances, Entertainments, Conventions - For Particulars See McKinley & Watson, 1402 First Ave.Handwritten on sleeve: Dreamland Skating Rink.Photographer's Reference Number: 6966
ID Number:1983.10.7797
Date:Circa 1908
Image of Children on the carousel at Luna Park, circa 1907
Photograph

Children on the carousel at Luna Park, circa 1907

Charles I. Looff, a German immigrant, built a huge amusement park at Alki in 1907. He named it Luna Park. The carousel was manufactured at his factory in Rhode Island and then sent to Seattle. A wooden covering protected the merry-go-round and its riders from the weather.In this photo, taken around 1907, children ride the painted horses on the carousel…
ID Number:1983.10.7883
Date:Circa 1907
Image of Luna Park roller coaster, Seattle, circa 1912
Photograph

Luna Park roller coaster, Seattle, circa 1912

West Seattle's Luna Park was named for Luna, the Roman goddess of the moon. The amusement park was a popular place for Seattleites to swim, dance, and have fun. They could ride on a giant water slide, a roller coaster, or a carousel, or have a drink at what was advertised as "the longest bar on the bay." They could…
ID Number:1983.10.7884
Date:Circa 1912
Image of Luna Park, circa 1909
Photograph

Luna Park, circa 1909

West Seattle's Luna Park was named for Luna, the Roman goddess of the moon. The amusement park was a popular place for Seattleites to swim, dance, and have fun. They could ride on a giant water slide, a rollercoaster, or a carousel, or have a drink at what was advertised as "the longest bar on the bay." They could even…
ID Number:1983.10.8281.2
Date:Circa 1909
Image of Cowboy doing rope tricks, 1909
Photograph

Cowboy doing rope tricks, 1909

Cheyenne Bill's Wild West Show and Congress of Rough Riders opened in Seattle's Madison Park on July 17, 1909. The show featured Indigenous performers dancing, trick ropers, cowpunchers, bucking horses, and recreations of frontier battles.This photo shows one of the trick ropers in the 1909 Wild West Show. The Seattle Times reported that the audience was awed by the whirling…
ID Number:1983.10.8298
Date:1909
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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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