In 1882, James Lowman and Clarence Hanford joined forces to found Lowman & Hanford Stationery and Printing Company. After losing their original building in the Great Fire of 1889, the partners reopened the business at 616 First Avenue. There, they expanded into publishing, bookbinding and book selling, and even sold photographic equipment and other supplies to people leaving for the gold fields. In 1902-3, the firm built a large new building next door, on the corner of First Avenue and Cherry Street.

Signs in image: Pacific Coast Steamship Co. O.R. & N.[...] and Oregon Short Line R.R. Ticket Office. Tickets [East?] - Portland, Salt Lake and [...iver]. Lowman & Hanford Stationery & Printing Co. - Lithographing. Cameras and Photographic Supplies. Gold Scales, Bags, Snow Glasses. Nome Maps and Charts. Books on Mining, Pocket Compasses, Mineral Glasses. Alaska Guide Books, Maps and Charts. H.P. Rude, Merchant Tailor. [Dentist] - No Pain - Gold Crowns. Whose Baby Are You.
Caption on mount: In the Year 1898.