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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Union Station, ca. 1911
Transcribed from postcard: "New Oregon-Washington Depot. This new depot is 145 x 185 ft. and cost, with its switching yards, $1,000,000 for construction. It is the most northern "out post" of the Harriman system of 13,000 miles of railroads, the greatest in the world."
Identifier: spl_pc_01012
Date: 1911
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Frederick and Nelson, ca. 1918
The Frederick and Nelson flagship store opened in 1918 at 5th Avenue and Pine Street. The store attracted thousands of customers on it's first day and remained a popular shopping location for decades. The company went out of business in 1992 and the building was taken over by Nordstrom.
Identifier: spl_pc_00204
Date: 1918
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Hotel Butler, ca. 1908
The original Butler Block building was a three story wooden building that was constructed around 1875. This building burned in the fire of 1889 but was quickly replaced with a more substantial stone structure. The Butler Hotel or Hotel Butler began operation in the building in 1903, attracting many visitors and gaining a reputation during Prohibition for ignoring the laws against alcohol. The Great Depression forced it to close its doors in 1933 and now all that remains are the lower two floors of the building which were converted into a parking garage.
Identifier: spl_pc_00808
Date: 1908
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City Hall Park, Frye Hotel and Smith Tower, ca. 1915
Street view of City Hall Park, Frye Hotel, the King County Courthouse and Smith Tower. The Frye Hotel was constructed in 1911 and designed by the architects Charles H. Bebb and Louis L. Mendel. The project was funded by Seattle pioneer George F. Frye and his wife Louisa Denny Frye, for whom the hotel is named. The hotel was converted to low income housing in the 1970s. The Smith Tower opened in 1914 and was the tallest building in Seattle until the construction of the Space Needle in 1962. The tower was designed by the Gaggin and Gaggin architectural firm. The King County Courthouse opened in 1916 and was constructed by architect A. Warren Gould. Additional stories were eventually added to the five story structure seen here during renovations in the 1930s.
Identifier: spl_pc_00214
Date: 1915
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14th Ave. N. looking north to Volunteer Park water tower, ca. 1913
The home at the far right is located at 720 14th Ave. E. The home in the distance with the cupola is 806 14th Ave. E. The Volunteer Park water tower can be seen in the distance.
Identifier: spl_pc_00607
Date: 1913
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King Street Station, ca. 1909
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 (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. (Alternative names for Union Station include the Union Depot and the Northern Pacific Great Northern Depot.) Confusingly, both stations were sometimes referred to as "union stations" 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_01004
Date: 1909
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Hotel Lincoln, ca. 1910
Located at 4th Avenue and Madison Street, Washington, Hotel Lincoln was constructed in 1900. The hotel was destroyed in a fire in 1920.
Identifier: spl_pc_00805
Date: 1910
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New Washington Hotel, ca. 1909
Transcribed from spl_pc_00802: "In the heart of the theatrical and shopping district. Seattle's leading commercial & tourist hotel, all rooms with private bath. Tariff $3.00 per day and up. J.C. Marmaduke, Manager H.R. Warner. Ass't. Manager."
Identifier: spl_pc_00823
Date: 1909
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Unidentified residential street, April 7, 1911
Image of unknown residential street and houses. Similar postcards from this time period depict Capitol Hill homes.
Identifier: spl_pc_00603
Date: 1911-04-07
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Central Building, ca. 1907
Designed by C.R. Aldrich, the Central Building was completed in 1907. At the time of construction, 3rd Ave. was being regraded to establish a more gentle slope and allow a retail core to take hold in the downtown area. The Central Building served several purposes, providing much needed office space for businesses.
Identifier: spl_pc_00231
Date: 1907
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