Seattle Historic Postcard Collection
Preview up to 100 items from this collection below. Highlights of early 20th century Seattle, as depicted through our historic postcards. Cards include images of buildings, attractions and events from the 1900s to the 1960s along with messages between friends and family.
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Medical Dental Building, ca. 1925
The Medical Dental Building was constructed in 1925 and expanded in 1950. Initial plans for expansion during the 1930s were put on hold due to the Great Depression. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006
Identifier: spl_pc_00901
Date: 1925
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Providence Hospital, ca. 1911
Between 1907 and 1912, Seattle's Providence Hospital built a large new brick building, at a cost of one million dollars. Designed by Somervell & Cote, it was a full-service hospital with six operating rooms and a nursing school.
Identifier: spl_pc_00907
Date: 1911
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First Hill, ca. 1910
First Hill neighborhood depicting St. James Cathedral at the top of the hill. The photo used as the basis for the card was likely was taken from the top of King Street Station.
Identifier: spl_pc_00302
Date: 1910
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Summit Ave. and Marion St., ca. 1910
View of residence at Summit Avenue and Marion Street on First Hill.
Identifier: spl_pc_00601
Date: 1910
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University National Bank of Seattle, ca. 1915
Transcribed from postcard: "University National Bank of Seattle Financial Headquarters from Seattle's Great North End." The building was constructed in 1912.
Identifier: spl_pc_00200
Date: 1915
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Federal Building at 3rd Ave. and Union St., ca. 1909
Street view of the Federal Building in downtown Seattle (also known as the U.S. Court House, Custom House and Post Office Building). Construction on the Federal Building began in 1903 and ended in 1908. The building was located at the intersection of Union Street and Third Avenue, which was being regraded at the time. The Third Avenue regrade left a gap of four feet down to the new sidewalk which resulted in a new set of stairs being added to the building's exterior. The building was demolished in 1958.
Identifier: spl_pc_00410
Date: 1909
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Benjamin Franklin Hotel, ca. 1929
The Benjamin Franklin Hotel was built in 1929. It was designed by architect Gardner J. Gwinn and featured 14 stories with 359 rooms. It was demolished in 1980 to make way for the second tower of the Westin Hotel.
Identifier: spl_pc_00801
Date: 1929
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Union Station interior, ca. 1915
During the early 1900s, there was increasing interest in connecting railroads with Seattle. The high demand and competition between railways resulted in two railway stations being built directly next to each other at 4th Avenue and Jackson Street. King Street Station (the interior of which is depicted in this postcard) was constructed in 1906 and can be distinguished by its tower. Union Station, originally known as the Oregon and Washington Station, was constructed in 1911. Confusingly, both stations were sometimes referred to as "union stations" or "union depots" due to the fact that multiple railroad lines were shared within the same terminal. For a good example of the differences between Union Station and King Street Station see spl_pc_01011 where Union Station appears in the foreground and King Street Station appears in the background.
Identifier: spl_pc_01008
Date: 1915
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Carroll's Fine Jewelry, ca. 1970
Transcribed from postcard: "Carroll's Fine Jewelry. Thomas J. Carroll founded his store in Seattle in 1895 during the Gold Rush days. Through the years, four generations of the Carroll family have served the jewelry needs of their many customers and friends with integrity and pride in the jewelers art. This stately green and gold street clock, a landmark in Seattle, stands at the doorway of the store still owned and operated by Carroll family members."
Identifier: spl_pc_00233
Date: 1970
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