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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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625 results for: Urban

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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
Image of Telephone Building, Seattle, circa 1921
Photograph

Telephone Building, Seattle, circa 1921

The Pacific Telephone Building was constructed in 1921 at Third Avenue and Seneca Street. Here, the facade appears complete, but signs of construction can be seen near the street. Handwritten on sleeve: Telephone Bldg.Photographer's Reference Number: 86018Caption information source: "American Telephone and Telegraph Company (A, T and T), Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company, Office Building #2, Seattle, WA," PCAD, https://pcad.lib.washington.edu/building/8827/
ID Number:1983.10.2176
Date:Circa 1921
Image of Smith Tower and the County-City Building, circa 1921
Photograph

Smith Tower and the County-City Building, circa 1921

In about 1912, a group of citizens pushed for a new governmental "Civic Center" in the recently regraded Denny Hill area. This effort failed, however. In 1916, the new King County Courthouse and Municipal Building, also known as the County-City Building, opened on Third Avenue, convenient to the heart of the old downtown.This photo, taken around 1921, shows the County-City…
ID Number:1983.10.2234.2
Date:Circa 1921
Image of Train at Skagit River power site, circa 1921
Photograph

Train at Skagit River power site, circa 1921

Harsh terrain made the development of Seattle City Light's three Skagit River dams very difficult. Once they got permission to proceed on the Gorge Creek Diversion Dam in 1918, workers built access roads and a railway line, the Skagit River Railway, to haul supplies and workers to the construction site.This photo, taken around 1921, shows what is probably an excursion…
ID Number:1983.10.2251.6
Date:Circa 1921
Image of Skagit Dam construction site, circa 1921
Photograph

Skagit Dam construction site, circa 1921

Harsh terrain made the development of Seattle City Light's three dams on the Skagit River very difficult. Once they got permission to proceed on the Gorge Creek Diversion Dam in 1918, workers had to build access roads through the mountainous wilderness and railway lines to haul supplies and workers to and from the construction site.This photo, taken around 1921, shows…
ID Number:1983.10.2251.25
Date:Circa 1921
Image of County-City Building, Seattle, circa 1921
Photograph

County-City Building, Seattle, circa 1921

In 1916, the new King County Courthouse and Municipal Building, also called the County-City Building, opened on Third Avenue in downtown Seattle. The building, designed by Seattle architect Augustus Warren Gould, was five stories tall, with a partial sixth story for the use of the city engineer.This photo, taken on a sunny afternoon in 1921, shows the new County-City building…
ID Number:1983.10.2333.2
Date:Circa 1921
Image of Sixth and Pike, Seattle, circa 1922
Photograph

Sixth and Pike, Seattle, circa 1922

This view of Sixth Avenue and Pike Street taken around 1922 shows the contrast of newer reinforced concrete buildings, like the Grunbaum Brothers Furniture Company building on the left, juxtaposed with older wooden buildings. Signs in image: Grunbaum Bros. Furniture Co. Inc. - Complete Home Furnishers - Easy Terms. Pitcairn Aged Varnish. W.H. Pope & Co. - Wall Paper, Paints.…
ID Number:1983.10.2600
Date:Circa 1922
Image of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, circa 1925
Photograph

Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, circa 1925

As Seattle grew northwards, churches were built to serve nearby Roman Catholic residents. Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church was built during the early 1920s at 52nd Street and Ninth Avenue NE in the University District. The neighboring priory had been completed in 1914. The green copper-clad steeple and large brick buildings are now easily seen from Interstate 5.This photo, probably taken…
ID Number:1983.10.2931.1
Date:Circa 1925
Image of Olympic Manor house under construction, April 7, 1926
Photograph

Olympic Manor house under construction, April 7, 1926

Seattle grew quickly after 1900. New residential areas extended out from the central city. Houses in those areas were often individually built by skilled carpenters and other craftsmen.In this photo, two plasterers stand by a new house in Olympic Manor, a housing development in north Seattle in the Crown Hill neighborhood. They are mixing plaster for surfacing the interior walls.…
ID Number:1983.10.3148.2
Date:1926
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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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