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.
-
New Washington Hotel, ca. 1930
Transcribed from postcard: "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_00802
Date: 1930?
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 -
Seattle Railway Depots and Southern Business District, Seattle, Washington, April 15, 1940
View looking north of Seattle Railway Depots and downtown Seattle. King Street Station (with the tower) appears on the left and Union Station appears on the right. Smith Tower can be seen in the background.
Identifier: spl_pc_01000
Date: 1940-04-15
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 -
St. James Cathedral, ca. 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_00306
Date: 1909?
View this item -
Smith Tower, ca. 1914
Transcribed from postcard: "The New L.C. Smith building, Seattle. 42 stories high, now being erected at the Corner of Second Avenue and Yesler Way. Second Ave and the 42 Story L.C. Smith Bldg. Seattle. U.S.A. Eight elevators-two serving the tower. Six hundred Offices. Six stores. Telegraph office on first Floor. Barber Shop, Restaurant, Buffet in Basement, Thirty-fifth Floor furnished in Washington Fir used as an observatory. Exterior, Washington Granite for first two floors; above white glazed terra cotta. Cost: $1,500,000."
Identifier: spl_pc_00202
Date: 1914?
View this item -
King Street Station interior, ca. 1906
During the early 1900's, 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_01015
Date: 1906
View this item -
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?
View this item -
Pacific Builder and Engineer, v. 4, no. 21, May. 26, 1906
Page 3 article discusses architect Augustus Warren Gould's visit to San Francisco to see the ruins of the fire.
Identifier: spl_pbe_3022043_1906_04_21
Date: 1906-05-26
View this item -
King Street Station interior, ca.
Transcribed from postcard: "Interior of Union Depot." During the early 1900's, 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_01007
Date: 1911
View this item