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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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1344 results for: Seattle Center

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Image of View from First Hill toward Elliott Bay, Seattle, circa 1885
Photograph

View from First Hill toward Elliott Bay, Seattle, circa 1885

This view from First Hill looking west and north toward Elliott Bay was taken before the Great Seattle Fire in 1889. The large white building in the center of the frame is the Central School, built in 1883 at Sixth Avenue and Madison Street, and destroyed in an 1888 fire; just behind and to the right of Central School is…
ID Number:2008.54.16
Date:Circa 1885
Image of Seattle waterfront at Columbia and Madison, circa 1885
Photograph

Seattle waterfront at Columbia and Madison, circa 1885

This view of the Seattle waterfront shows two sailboats docked at Bud Long's Boathouse, located just north of Washington Street, and a center for recreational boating activity in the 1880s. Frye's Opera House dominates the view of downtown beyond, which also includes the First Presbyterian Church, Territorial University, and the Central School at the far right of the frame. Businesses…
ID Number:2008.54.31
Date:Circa 1885
Image of Aerial photograph of Bon Marché with Christmas star and downtown extending east and north, Seattle, circa 1965
Photograph

Aerial photograph of Bon Marché with Christmas star and downtown extending east and north, Seattle, circa 1965

The Bon Marché was founded in 1890 by German immigrant Edward Nordhoff and his wife Josephine. Originally located in Seattle’s Belltown district at First Avenue and Cedar Street, in 1896 it moved to a more central location downtown at Second Avenue and Pike Street. The holiday star hangs annually on the corner of the Bon Marché building at Fourth Avenue…
ID Number:2009.20.74
Date:Circa 1965
Image of Bon Marché Christmas star design drawing, Seattle, circa 1957
Architectural drawing

Bon Marché Christmas star design drawing, Seattle, circa 1957

Edward and Josephine Nordhoff opened Seattle’s Bon Marché in 1890. The department store moved and expanded over the years, and by 1929, it occupied an art-deco building on a full city block in downtown Seattle. Sometime around 1953, Bob James of the Bon Marché Display Department designed a Christmas tree and star in lights for the diagonal corner of the…
ID Number:2009.20.78.1
Date:1957
Image of Bon Marché Christmas star design drawing, Seattle, circa 1957
Architectural drawing

Bon Marché Christmas star design drawing, Seattle, circa 1957

Edward and Josephine Nordhoff opened Seattle’s Bon Marché in 1890. The department store moved and expanded over the years, and by 1929, it occupied an art-deco building on a full city block in downtown Seattle. Sometime around 1953, Bob James of the Bon Marché Display Department designed a Christmas tree and star in lights for the diagonal corner of the…
ID Number:2009.20.78.2
Date:1957
Image of Bon Marché Christmas star revised design drawing, Seattle, July 17, 1957
Architectural drawing

Bon Marché Christmas star revised design drawing, Seattle, July 17, 1957

Edward and Josephine Nordhoff opened Seattle’s Bon Marché in 1890. The department store moved and expanded over the years, and by 1929, it occupied an art-deco building on a full city block in downtown Seattle. Sometime around 1953, Bob James of the Bon Marché Display Department designed a Christmas tree and star in lights for the diagonal corner of the…
ID Number:2009.20.78.3
Date:1957
Image of Aerial view of freeway construction, Seattle, January 18, 1962
Photograph

Aerial view of freeway construction, Seattle, January 18, 1962

This aerial photograph was taken during construction of Interstate 5, State Route 520, and the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge, on January 18, 1962. The direction is facing east looking towards Union Bay and Lake Washington. I-5 runs across the center of the frame with the bridge beyond. Husky Stadium and the University of Washington campus are visible in the top…
ID Number:2009.23.104
Date:1962
Image of Aerial view of I-5 and 520 construction, Seattle, August 1, 1963
Photograph

Aerial view of I-5 and 520 construction, Seattle, August 1, 1963

Interstate 5 (I-5) is the main Interstate Highway on the West Coast of the United States, and Seattle's largest and widest freeway. The section of I-5 connecting Kent to Seattle to Everett was built between 1960-1966, including the section shown in this aerial photograph taken on August 1, 1963. The direction of the photograph is looking south, and at the…
ID Number:2009.23.114
Date:1963
Image of Cars on recently completed Interstate 5, Seattle, April 2, 1964
Photograph

Cars on recently completed Interstate 5, Seattle, April 2, 1964

Interstate 5 (I-5) is the main Interstate Highway on the West Coast of the United States, and Seattle's widest freeway. The section of I-5 connecting Kent to Seattle to Everett was built between 1960-1966, including the section shown in this photograph taken on April 2, 1964.The direction of the photograph is looking south and west, Lake Union is at the…
ID Number:2009.23.137
Date:1964
Image of Aerial view of Interstate 5 and Northgate Mall, Seattle, March 10, 1965
Photograph

Aerial view of Interstate 5 and Northgate Mall, Seattle, March 10, 1965

Interstate 5 (I-5) is the main Interstate Highway on the West Coast of the United States, and Seattle's largest and widest freeway. The section shown in this aerial photograph was the part of I-5 built between 1960-1966 to connect Kent to Seattle. The direction of the photograph is looking north and west, with Northgate Mall in the center of the…
ID Number:2009.23.173
Date:1965
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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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