In 1914 Seattle's population had reached an estimated 304,126. According to the 1914 Polk Seattle City Directory, Seattle boasted the "largest clay products plant on the Pacific Coast; largest shoe factory on Pacific Coast; largest jewelry manufacturing concern on Pacific Coast; largest condensed milk concern in the West; largest dry docks on Pacific Coast; largest fisheries and lumbering interests in the country; largest brewery on Pacific Coast; biggest flouring mill concern on the Pacific Coast; most important developed coal fields on the Pacific Coast, within radius of 100 miles; and more shingle mills than any other one city."

This panoramic view of Seattle is made up of four photographs taped together, which were taken by northwest photographer Frank H. Nowell (1864-1950). Nowell likely took the pictures at about 200 feet above ground level, while standing in the tower atop the King County Courthouse building, located on First Hill at Seventh Avenue and Alder Street (a site that since 1931 has been the home of Harborview Medical Center). The images are facing northwest towards Elliott Bay, with West Seattle and Magnolia making up the southern and northern edges of the Bay, respectively, and Bainbridge Island on the other side of Puget Sound visible in the background.

Handwritten on image: c. 1914 by F. H. Nowell

Landmarks and buildings in image, from left to right: Union Station (or the Oregon-Washington Depot); King Street Station; Harbor Island under construction; Frye Hotel; Smith Tower; Colman Dock; Seattle City Light Substation; Central School (or Seattle Public Schools, Central School #2); Queen Anne High School; Trinity Episcopal Parish; Lake Union; and at the very right edge of the frame, St James Cathedral is visible at Ninth Avenue and Marion Street.