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.
Japanese Tea Garden, Arboretum, June 11, 1967
Pond at the Seattle Japanese Garden (opened in 1960) located in the Washington Park Arboretum
Identifier: spl_dor_00042
Date: 1967-06-11
View this itemSnow on Union St. at 3rd Ave., January 30, 1969
Looking east on Union St. from 3rd Ave. The buildings on the left are the Vance Building and the 1411 4th Ave. Building.
Identifier: spl_dor_00025
Date: 1969-01-30
View this itemView east from 2nd Ave. and Pine St. to regrade work, 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. The building that appears on the far right is a series of row houses located at 2nd Ave. and Stewart. The same building can be seen in spl_dr_027.
Identifier: spl_dr_036
Date: 1906
View this itemView south from 3rd Ave. and Battery St., ca. 1906
The Moore Theatre, located on 2nd Avenue and Virginia St., and the New Washington Hotel are visible in the distance.
Identifier: spl_dr_016
Date: 1906
View this itemView north from Seward Park with Linda, June 26, 1960
Photograph shows view of Lake Washington from Seward Park, and Mercer Island in the background.
Identifier: spl_dor_00038
Date: 1960-06-26
View this itemWhite-Henry-Stuart Building being demolished, November 14, 1975
View from University St. looking north on 4th Ave. The White-Henry-Stuart Building appears on the right covered with scaffolding.
Identifier: spl_dor_00020
Date: 1975-11-14
View this itemAerial view of downtown Seattle looking SE from 4th Ave. and Columbia St., December 10, 1982
Aerial view of the I-5 freeway, 4th Ave. and 5th Ave. starting at Columbia St. and going through downtown Seattle, Pioneer Square, and the International District. Construction of Columbia Tower and the King County Adult Detention building can be seen, as well as the Yesler Way bridge over the freeway, the former Seattle City Hall and King County Administration building.
Identifier: spl_dor_00016
Date: 1982-12-10
View this itemEast Channel Bridge, undated
View of the East Channel Bridge from Mercer Island to Bellevue, looking west from Enatai Beach Park in Bellevue towards Mercer Island.
Identifier: spl_dor_00030
View this itemAerial view of downtown Seattle east from Safeco Plaza, July 15, 1981
Views east towards First Hill and Capitol Hill.
Identifier: spl_dor_00040
Date: 1981-07-15
View this itemYesler Way, east from Western Avenue, April 4, 1961
Showing views of Smith Tower, and the Seattle Hotel building the day after its demolition began on April 3, 1961.
Identifier: spl_dor_00035
Date: 1961-04-04
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