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Photograph

Street entrance of Millionair Club, Seattle, May 1, 1925

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Seattle's Millionair club was started in 1921 by Martin G. Johanson (1887-1984) as a lunch counter in a Pioneer Square basement, expanding in 1940 into its current location on Western Avenue in Belltown. Johanson retired in 1974, but the club continues to provide bus tokens, a soup kitchen, vision clinic, résumé service, and a shower-and-laundry facility so workers can clean up before their assignments.

In this image a man walks west on Main Street, passing the New England Hotel, which occupied a building on the northwest corner of First Avenue South and South Main Street. The Millionair Club was located in the basement of the building, which was built in 1889 and remains standing as of 2017.

Sign on the side of the building reads "Stranger, This is headquarters for good men looking for work. 98 Main St. The "Millionair" Club Inc. Ell.6026. A philanthropic institution where worthy men in need can get free doctor, dentist, medicine, & free jobs. No one will be turned away, who is willing to work. If broke you can work right here for what you need. We check baggage and store trunks, and phone free for you. Inspection invited. M. G. Johanson, Secy. Mgr."

Caption information source: http://pcad.lib.washington.edu/building/9713
Caption information source: https://pauldorpat.com/2017/09/09/seattle-now-then-two-founders-on-main-street
Caption information also derived from captions written by Post-Intelligencer staff and attached to the back of the photograph.
ID Number: 2000.107.170.29.05
Date: 1925
Physical Description: 1 photographic print : b&w ; 8 x 10 in.
Additional Information: Digital copy of this item available thanks to funding from a 2016 Institute for Museum and Library Services grant.
Credit: MOHAI, Seattle Post-Intelligencer Collection, 2000.107.170.29.05
Copyright: No Known Copyright