Preview up to 100 items from this collection below. More than 2,000 images reveal Seattle’s evolution. Early photos capture Seattle’s pioneers, the Great Fire of 1889 and the Denny Regrade along with historical buildings, streets and landmarks.
Christian Witness Pavillion [i.e. Pavilion]: View West at dusk
Christian Witness Pavilion of the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). "The Christian Witness Pavilion on Friendship Mall serves the dual role of presenting a message of hope for the future and housing the fair's Children's Center. The Children's Center is designed for youngsters from three through seven years old. Educational and entertaining displays and demonstrations provide a Christian atmosphere in which the children can study and play. A professional staff, assisted by volunteers especially trained for the task, supervises the children. The second role of the pavilion is a visual and audio presentation open to all. Visitors walk into a large auditorium where a seven-minute presentation, aided by lighting and sound effects, sets the stage for the Christian message that the only optimism for a world living with a cobalt bomb is in God." (Official Guide Book, Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Acme Publications. p. 65)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00185
Date: 1962-08
View this itemSeattle drill team no. 1, A.O.U.W., 1902
Transcribed from photograph: "Ancient Order of United Workmen. (A.O.U.W.) Seattle drill team no. 1, A.O.U.W. 1902. Photo by LaRoche."
Identifier: spl_shp_22421
Date: 1902
View this itemJ.B. Powles & Co., ca. 1900
Transcribed from photograph: "Buildings. J.B. Powles & Co. Exterior. 901-903 Western Ave. c. 1900."
Identifier: spl_shp_35051
Date: 1900?
View this itemOutlet of Union Bay, 1893
Transcribed from photograph: "Lake Washington. Outlet of Union Bay. 1893."
Identifier: spl_shp_14157
Date: 1893
View this itemGrade 5 of South School, 1890
Transcribed from front of photograph: "Seattle Portraits. Group. Class of South School. Grade 5. (Mary Hyde, teacher) 1890." Transcribed from back of photograph: “Foto furnished by “Jack” McEachern- Mary Hyde's 5th Grade Class, 1890- Frank Monohan 2-Neatya Mears 3-Rose Christensen 4- Unnamed 5-Florence Dundan 6-Arthur Kreiswell 7-Susie Gardner 8-Sadie Sickels 9-Unnamed 10-Mary Hyde-Teacher 11-Florence Smart 12- Emily Taylor 13-Unnamed 14-Becky Schoenfeld 15-Effie Bird 16-Rhoda Elliot 17-Nellie Hinsling 18-Emma Mears 19-Laura Latimer 20-Amos Zeek 21-George Albin 22-Unnamed 23 Henry Hoege 24-Unnamed 25-Unnamed 26-Jacob Cook 27-[blank] Schmidt 28-Frank Smith 29-Frank Smith 30-Frank Monohan 31-Nancy Fitzhenry 32-John McEachern 33-John Compton 34-[blank] Cox 35-Tom Copp 36-Will Taylor 37-Jennie [blank] 38-Stella Feas 39-Ethel Stevens 40-Anna Boyd 41-Elma Hamisphere 42-Flossie Nelson 43-Rose Finnegan 44-Jennie Davis 45-Laura Guy 46-Cora Stevens 47-Vinna Kelly 48-Isadore Singerman 50-Ben Bloom 51-Hiram Good”
Identifier: spl_shp_22840
Date: 1890
View this itemView from near 3rd Ave. and Pine St., 1890
Transcribed from photograph: "Views. From Denny Hill, 1890. Looking South. 1. First Methodist Protestant Church. Built 1889-1890, demolished 1907. 2. Abbott House. 3. Armory. 4. Young Naturalist building. 5. University. 6. Providence Hospital. 7. Central School."
Identifier: spl_shp_5137
Date: 1890
View this itemWilliam Hickman Moore, ca. 1906
Transcribed from photograph: "Portraits. Moore, William Hickman. 1861-1946. Mayor, 1906-1908."
Identifier: spl_shp_15121
Date: 1906?
View this itemOccidental Hotel, ca. 1865
Transcribed from photograph: "Hotels. Occidental Hotel. Front St. and James St. Built 1865; demolished about 1883."
Identifier: spl_shp_15218
Date: 1865?
View this item400 block in alley of Fairview Ave. N. and Minor Ave. N., September 1954
Transcribed from photograph: "Houses. 400 block in alley of Fairview North and Minor North. Woodshed. Exterior. Three-quarter view. Photo by Werner Lenggenhager, Sept. 1954."
Identifier: spl_shp_22480
Date: 1954-09
View this itemRuins at 2nd Ave. and Columbia St. following the Great Fire, June 1889
Fire. Ruins. Front Street. Looking West from Second Avenue and Columbia Street from the Boston Block.
Identifier: spl_shp_5049
Date: 1889
View this item