Preview up to 100 items from this collection below. Seattle’s massive effort to regrade and flatten much of the city’s hilly landscape is documented in this 1905-1908 photo album. Explore our map to see the modern-day photo locations.
View from 2nd Ave. regrade to Washington Hotel, ca. 1906
Although the regrade started in 1903, James Moore, the owner of the Washington Hotel, refused to clear the property until 1906 when regrading of Second and Third Avenues were well underway.
Identifier: spl_dr_032
Date: 1906
View this itemView north to regrade at 7th and Virginia, ca. 1906
Dwellings in the process of being lowered appear to the right.
Identifier: spl_dr_035
Date: 1906
View this itemView from 2nd Ave. of steam shovel and Washington Hotel, ca. 1905
Although the regrade started in 1903, James Moore, the owner of the Washington Hotel, refused to clear the property until 1906 when regrading of Second and Third Avenues were well underway.
Identifier: spl_dr_015
Date: 1905
View this itemRegrade railway and steam shovel, ca. 1906
Possible location is near the site of the Washington Hotel. Although the regrade started in 1903, James Moore, the owner of the hotel, refused to clear the property until 1906 when regrading of Second and Third Avenues were well underway.
Identifier: spl_dr_034
Date: 1906
View this itemView east from near 1st Ave. and Pine St. to regrade activity, ca. 1906
The Washington Hotel appears at the top of the hill. Although the regrade started in 1903, James Moore, the owner of the Washington Hotel, refused to clear the property until 1906 when regrading of Second and Third Avenues were well underway.
Identifier: spl_dr_027
Date: 1906
View this itemUniversity Way NE and NE 42nd St., May 14, 1998
Photograph shows the northeast corner of University Way NE, colloquially know as The Ave, and 42nd Street, looking towards 43rd Street. Paul Dorpat and Walt Crowley's counterculture newspaper the Helix was started on this corner in 1967.
Identifier: spl_dor_00048
Date: 1998-05-14
View this itemEdith Williams Interview, March 30, 1988
Edith Williams was the granddaughter of Theodore Roosevelt and a champion of the Republican Party and environmental causes in the Pacific Northwest. She was born in New York and attended schools in New York and Switzerland. During the Great Depression, she worked at the American Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. She married her husband Andrew Williams in 1941 and the couple moved to Seattle. Her children attended Lakeside School and the St. Nicholas School. Williams was heavily involved in campaigning and fundraising for the Republican party, representing King County on the state Republican Committee. She was also active with the Elizabeth Fischer Orthopedic Guild and St. Mark’s Cathedral. She served as regent of the Washington State University from 1975 to 1981.
Identifier: spl_ds_ewilliams_01
Date: 1988-03-30
View this itemAncil Payne Interview, January 19, 1988 and April 11, 1988
Ancil Payne (1921-2004) was the president and CEO of the KING Broadcasting Company. Payne was born in Mitchell, Oregon and attended both Willamette University and the University of Oregon. During World War II, Payne joined the Navy and served in the South Pacific. After returning from the war, he enrolled at the University of Washington. Following graduation, he was active in politics, becoming a top aide to Congressman Hugh B. Mitchell. In 1959 Payne began working at King Broadcasting, serving a number of roles including managing the company’s stations in Portland, Oregon before returning to Seattle and becoming president of the company in 1972. Payne played an important role in reviving the company and supporting its expansion into new markets. During his time at the company, he increased employee diversity, hiring more minorities and women to major roles, and took stances on controversial topics, speaking out against the Vietnam War, homophobia and the gun lobby. Payne retired from his role in 1987 but remained active with organizations such as the ACLU. He also established the Ancil Payne Awards for Ethics in Journalism at the University of Oregon along with additional scholarships at Dalles High School and Willamette University.
Identifier: spl_ds_apayne_01
Date: 1988-01-19; 1988-04-11
View this itemDenny Regrade, ca. 1906
Water jets and building being deconstructed at unidentified regrade location.
Identifier: spl_dr_009
Date: 1906
View this itemView SE from 2nd Ave. and Bell St., ca. 1906
Photograph appears to be taken after the completion of regrade work on 2nd Avenue. The Moore Theatre and the New Washington Hotel are visible on the right side of the photo in the distance.
Identifier: spl_dr_038
Date: 1906
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