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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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1514 results for: City of Seattle

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Image of Henry and Sarah Yesler, Seattle, 1883
Photograph

Henry and Sarah Yesler, Seattle, 1883

Henry Yesler arrived in Seattle in 1852 looking for a waterfront sawmill location. Other settlers moved the boundaries of their land claims to accommodate space for the mill, its pier, and a skid road, now Yesler Way. Yesler's sawmill, the first steam-powered mill on Puget Sound, started operation in the spring of 1853. In addition to his mill, Yesler owned…
ID Number:2002.3.488
Date:1883
Image of Plan of city during Battle of Seattle, 1856
Photograph

Plan of city during Battle of Seattle, 1856

During the early 1850s, hostility grew between the Native Peoples and the European American settlers in the Puget Sound region. The "Decatur" and several other government ships were moved to the area to protect the settlers. On January 26, 1856, following word of a planned attack on Seattle, troops on the "Decatur" fired howitzers into the forest beyond Third Avenue…
ID Number:2002.3.549
Date:1856
Image of Opening of Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern Railway, Seattle, circa 1887
Photograph

Opening of Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern Railway, Seattle, circa 1887

The Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern Railroad Company was formed in 1885 by Daniel Gilman, Judge Thomas Burke, and other Seattle businessmen. By 1887, it ran from the Seattle waterfront to Smith Cove, across Salmon Bay, and along the northwest side of Lake Washington. By 1888, the line reached Fall City to the east and Snohomish to the north, eventually…
ID Number:2002.3.936
Date:Circa 1887
Image of Flier protesting displacement of low-income renters, Seattle, September 29, 1974
Ephemera

Flier protesting displacement of low-income renters, Seattle, September 29, 1974

In September 1974, low-income tenants living in three old houses in Seattle’s Cascade neighborhood received eviction notices. The owner had requested that the city rezone the properties on Minor Avenue N. for manufacturing. On September 29, some 75 people listened as speakers protested the rezoning and evictions. The Cascade Community Council organized the protest and also initiated the Cascade Shelter…
ID Number:2002.23.1.37.1
Date:1974
Image of Rider Alert, plan for nuclear war threat leaflet, April 1982
Ephemera

Rider Alert, plan for nuclear war threat leaflet, April 1982

This leaflet, made to resemble a bus rider alert pamphlet, uses satire to protest against US nuclear weapon policy. The front reproduces an article from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer from February 27, 1982 about plans to use Metro buses to evacuate residents from Seattle in the event of nuclear attack, while the inside text describes the absurdity and futility of such…
ID Number:2002.23.1.73.1
Date:1982
Image of Handbill for a meeting on the Teen Dance Ordinance, Seattle, December 13, 1986
Poster

Handbill for a meeting on the Teen Dance Ordinance, Seattle, December 13, 1986

Although the city of Seattle passed its first regulations on teen musical events in 1967, enforcement was minimal. In 1985, the city’s Teen Dance Ordinance tried to severely tighten up regulations on youth dance clubs and musical events, citing drug use, sexual abuse, and underage drinking. This led to several decades of protest. Opponents pointed to the effect this had…
ID Number:2002.23.2.24.1
Date:1986
Image of Handbill for rally protesting proposed youth curfew, Seattle, July 21, 1986
Poster

Handbill for rally protesting proposed youth curfew, Seattle, July 21, 1986

After Seattle’s 1985 Teen Dance Ordinance tried to severely tighten up regulations on youth dance clubs and musical events, citing drug use, sexual abuse, and underage drinking, the Youth Defense Campaign and other groups organized to try to repeal these and other laws affecting youth, like a 1986 proposed teen curfew.This July 1986 Youth Defense Campaign urges people to attend…
ID Number:2002.23.2.24.2
Date:1986
Image of Handbill for youth rally in protest of teen dance regulations, Seattle, February 4, 1987
Poster

Handbill for youth rally in protest of teen dance regulations, Seattle, February 4, 1987

Although the city of Seattle passed its first regulations on teen dance events in 1967, enforcement was minimal. In 1985, the city’s Teen Dance Ordinance tried to severely tighten up regulations on youth dance clubs and musical events, citing drug use, sexual abuse, and underage drinking. This led to several decades of protest. Opponents pointed to the effect this had…
ID Number:2002.23.2.30.1
Date:1987
Image of S.O.S. for Black Education, flier from Freedom Socialist Party, 1987
Ephemera

S.O.S. for Black Education, flier from Freedom Socialist Party, 1987

This flier advertises an "SOS for Black Education" event hosted by the Freedom Socialist Party at New Freeway Hall in 1987. Speakers included Dawn Mason, Oscar Eason, Elizabeth Jackson, and Teri Bach. Dawn Mason served in the Washington State Legislature from 1995-1999 and was the only Black member of the legislature during her terms. She was Ranking Chair of the…
ID Number:2002.23.2.30.3
Date:1987
Image of Good Friday Worship Vigil in the South End, 1988
Ephemera

Good Friday Worship Vigil in the South End, 1988

This flier advertises a vigil to protest against the demolition of affordable housing in Seattle's south end. It specifically mentions homes demolished to make way for I-90 and Seattle school district plans to tear down more houses. The vigil was held at 8:30 AM on Friday, April 1, 1988, which was Good Friday that year, at 4419 South Dawson Street…
ID Number:2002.23.2.39.1
Date:1988
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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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