Greek-born Michael Demetrios Carzes (1882-1965) immigrated to the U. S. about 1909. An enterprising and community-minded man, Mr. Carzes and his American wife Amanda Rehse (1882-1976), owned and operated the Oyster House at 109 Pine Street for many years. As president of the Greek Community of Seattle (later Greek Community Association), Mr. Carzes also helped organize St. Demetrios' Greek Orthodox Church after its 1916 split from the Greek-Russian Orthodox Church (now Saint Spiridon Orthodox Cathedral).
In this image Mr. Carzes, located just above the word "Transit," sits among passengers on one of his jitneys in Seattle. A "jitney" was a self-propelled vehicle carrying passengers, named for a slang term meaning a five cent nickel coin, and a cheap alternative to street cars until the rise of the automobile began limiting public demand for mass transportation. Mr. Carzes incorporated his Queen City Transit Company on June 3, 1915.
Photographer's number: 32570
Caption information source: The Seattle Daily Times, July 21, 1965, p. 62 Caption information source: http://oldautonews.com/the-jitney-bus
Physical Description: 1 copy negative : b&w ; 4 x 5 in.
Additional Information: Digital copy of this item available thanks to funding from a 2016 Institute for Museum and Library Services grant. Metadata updated as part of a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Library Services and Technology Act, through the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.
