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.
-
White and Henry Buildings., ca. 1915
Located at 1318 4th Avenue, the White-Henry-Stuart Building actually consists of three buildings constructed by the Howells and Stokes architecture firm during the period between 1908 and 1915. It was part of the Metropolitan Tract plan which provided office and retail space for the downtown area in the space formerly occupied by the University of Washington's downtown campus. The building was torn down in 1974 to make way for the Rainier Square complex.
Identifier: spl_pc_00221
Date: 1915
View this item -
Frederick & Nelson, ca. 1965
Transcribed from postcard: "Frederick & Nelson, Fifth at Pine, Seattle. Ten floors of modern beauty! Popular rendezvous for Seattleites and visitors to the city. Eighth floor Tea Room overlooks downtown area. Two smart suburban stores: Bellevue and Aurora Village."
Identifier: spl_pc_00223
Date: 1965
View this item -
Perry Hotel, ca. 1910
Located at Madison Street and Boren Avenue, the Perry Hotel, also known as the Perry Apartments, was built in 1907. In 1916, the building was renovated to become the Columbus Sanitarium and renamed once again to Cabrini Hospital in the 1960s. The building was demolished in 1996.
Identifier: spl_pc_00818
Date: 1910
View this item -
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
View this item -
Residences on Capitol Hill, ca. 1905
Street view of residences on Capitol Hill.
Identifier: spl_pc_00606
Date: 1905
View this item -
King Street Station, ca. 1906
Transcribed from postcard: "The Union Station accommodates more than sixty trains daily, running over rails of eight great railway systems. The tower is 240 feet high." During the early 1900's, there was an increasing press to connect railways with the city of 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 not constructed until 1911. The postcard captioning can be confusing because both stations were sometimes referred to as "union stations" due to the fact that multiple railroad lines were shared within the same terminal. The back of the postcard provides the following description: "The Union Station accommodates more than sixty trains daily, running over the rails of eight great railway systems. The tower is 240 feet high." (Alternative names for Union Station include the Union Depot and the Northern Pacific Great Northern Depot.) 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_01001
Date: 1906
View this item -
Frye Hotel, December 5, 1917
Transcribed from postcard: "When in Seattle, Try the Frye, Hotel Frye, Opposite 42 story L.C. Smith Bldg." The Frye Hotel (also known as Hotel Frye) 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 Frye (originally of the Denny family). The hotel was converted to low income housing in the 1970s.
Identifier: spl_pc_00812
Date: 1917-12-05
View this item -
14th Ave. homes on Capitol Hill, ca. 1910
The Moore Mansion, located at 811 14th Ave E, appears at the far left of the postcard. The 1903 home was built and owned by James A. Moore who developed much of the Capitol Hill neighborhood with through his business, Moore Investment Company.
Identifier: spl_pc_00604
Date: 1910
View this item -
Hotel Frye, ca. 1911
The Frye Hotel opened in 1911. Transcribed from postcard: "European. Fireproof. Now open. Seattle's newest fireproof and most conveniently located hotel in city, corner Yesler Way and Third Avenue. Moderate rates. Room with detached bath $1.00 to $1.50, room with private bath $1.50 to $3.00. R.E. Nixon, Manager."
Identifier: spl_pc_00816
Date: 1911
View this item -
St. James Cathedral, November 15, 1909
Bishop Edward O'Dea purchased the land for St. James Cathedral's First Hill site in 1903 after successfully petitioning the Pope to relocate the episcopal see from Vancouver, Washington to Seattle. The cornerstone for the building was laid in 1905 with more than 5,000 people in attendance and the cathedral officially opened on December 15, 1907.
Identifier: spl_pc_00307
Date: 1909-11-15
View this item