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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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6 results for: O. B. Williams Co.

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Image of Seattle Fire Department employees, wagons, and engine houses, 1898
Photograph

Seattle Fire Department employees, wagons, and engine houses, 1898

The creation of the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) can be traced back to July 6th, 1876, when the all-volunteer Seattle Engine Company No.1 was organized. In 1883, the City Charter was amended to create and fund equipment, but not staff, for a centralized municipal fire department. The volunteer-based system persisted until pressure from the insurance industry and citizens after the…
ID Number:1953.287.1
Date:1898
Image of Atlieu, Nuu-cha-nulth carver, Neah Bay, circa 1900
Photograph

Atlieu, Nuu-cha-nulth carver, Neah Bay, circa 1900

The Nuu-chah-nulth are a group of 14 First Nations peoples living on the west side of Vancouver Island: Ditidaht, Huu-ay-aht, Hupacasath, Tse-shaht, Uchucklesaht, Ahousaht, Hesquiaht, Tla-o-qui-aht, Toquaht, Ucluelet, Ehattesaht, Kyuqout/Checlesaht, Mowachat/Muchalaht, and Nuchatlaht. They share cultural traditions and language but remain distinct nations, each with a hereditary chief. The Nuu-chah-nulth peoples were previously called the Nootka after European colonizers misunderstood…
ID Number:1955.970.470.2
Date:Circa 1900
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
Image of Employees with imported cars at Foreign Trade Zone, Seattle, April 20, 1950
Photograph

Employees with imported cars at Foreign Trade Zone, Seattle, April 20, 1950

Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZs) are duty-free, quota-free, secured areas in a designated customs “port of entry,” considered outside U. S. Customs territory and exempt from customs tariffs. The FTZ program was established in 1934 to stimulate economic growth and development in the United States by lowering the cost of international trade.In this image, from left, Robert Edwards, Rose Schnoberger, Bruce Williams,…
ID Number:2000.107.173.01.04
Date:1950
Image of Ford employees posed outside at South Lake Union assembly plant, Seattle, 1916
Photograph

Ford employees posed outside at South Lake Union assembly plant, Seattle, 1916

In the 1920s, the Ford Motor Company had a number of buildings across the country for local assembly of Model T cars. One assembly plant was located in Seattle, at the southern end of Lake Union, at what is now 700 Fairview Avenue North. The building, which still stands, was occupied by The Craftsman Press for a period and, as…
ID Number:2004.39.1
Date:1916
Image of Motorcycle police squad outside station, Seattle, October 22, 1914
Photograph

Motorcycle police squad outside station, Seattle, October 22, 1914

In early 1910, the Seattle police department invested $1,329 in its first three motorcycles, with seven patrolman selected as the first members of the "motor cops" squad. In this 1914 photo, a motorcycle squad of 15 officers shows off its new Indian brand motorcycles. Executives of the Seattle Police Department stand to the right of the fleet: left to right,…
ID Number:SHS16707
Date:1914

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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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