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.
Marion St. east from 2nd Ave., February 5, 1982
Photograph shows remnants of the Olympic National Life Building after demolition on the northeast corner, as well as the YMCA building and the former Union Bank of California Building (later rebranded as 901 Fifth Avenue) on the corners of 4th Ave. and Marion St.
Identifier: spl_dor_00029
Date: 1982-02-05
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 item1st Ave. looking north at Madison St., June 26, 1978
Includes view of Warshal's Sporting Goods (in business 1922-2001) on 1st Ave. The red brick building at the other end of the block is the Holyoke Building.
Identifier: spl_dor_00022
Date: 1978-06-26
View this itemThe Town Crier, v.7, no.2, Jan. 13, 1912
Identifier: spl_tc_915126_1912_07_02
Date: 1912-01-13
View this itemWaterfront Street car stopped at Broad Street station, ca. 2000s
Tram number 518 stopped at the Broad Street station of the Waterfront Streetcar Line, with its barn in the background
Identifier: spl_dor_00045
Date: 2005
View this itemRegrade activity south of Washington Hotel, ca. 1906
The cable car which provided service up the hill to the Washington Hotel is visible on the right. 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_020
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
View this itemMunicipal Plans Commission of the City of Seattle map showing Harbor Island Waterfront District, 1911
Map showing proposed city improvements under the Plan of Seattle, commonly known as the Bogue Plan. Designed by Virgil Bogue, Seattle's municipal plans director, the Bogue Plan proposed a series of improvements aimed at beautifying the city and making it making it more cohesive after years of rapid growth and industrialization. The plan worked in tandem with the Olmsted Brothers new system of parks, begun in 1903, and proposed new government buildings, an improved city center and an interurban road connecting the city together. The plan was rejected by voters in 1912.
Identifier: spl_maps_2465533_6
Date: 1911
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 of regrade north from Madison St., ca. 1906
View north to regrade steam shovel at work on Spring St. between 2nd and 3rd Avenues. Piper and Taft Sporting Goods and Hotel George appear in the background.
Identifier: spl_dr_040
Date: 1906
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