Preview up to 100 items from this collection below. Seattle is literally built on sawdust. As pioneer mill owner Henry Yesler told historian Hubert Howe Bancroft, "We commenced sawing wood under a shed in March '53; the saw dust we filled swamps with, and the slabs we built a wharf with." This collection presents some of Seattle's historical "sawdust" - unique and interesting materials from The Seattle Public Library's Seattle Collection.
How Seattle Changed Its Face, 1975
A brief summary of the history of regrading projects in Seattle, written by the City Engineering Department.
Identifier: spl_saw_2085906
Date: 1975
View this itemRestaurants of Seattle 1853-1960
A chronological history of Seattle restaurants written by Hattie Graham Horrocks, a Seattle pioneer. Mrs. Horrocks, a great-granddaughter of Thomas Mercer (after whom Mercer Street and Mercer Island are named), wrote about 18 manuscripts on Pacific Northwest history, including the histories of businesses and restaurants of Seattle and Mercer Island. The Seattle Times published a profile of Mrs. Horrocks on September 27, 1972, when she was 90 years old.
Identifier: spl_saw_275037
View this itemSeward Park, the pride of Rainier Valley, 1915
"The queen of Rainier Valley parks, the largest and finest park in the city, and one of the finest in the world is Seward park, consisting of a heavily wooded peninsula jutting into Lake Washington from land contiguous to Columbia and Hillman. It is almost surrounded by water. So far, the park is in its wild state except for a picnic ground and many charming foot paths cut out by the City Park department. The plans which the Park Department have for its ultimate improvement will not mar its pristine glory, but will rather be designed to emphasize and enhance the beauty of the natural features. Its extent is so great that no charm of hill or vale, water or sky, wood or meadow is missing. It even has a beautiful little lake nestling in its bosom. The photograph shows a portion of the picnic ground at the entrance of the park, the slightly sloping beach and excellent opportunities for bathing and boating."
Identifier: spl_saw_557542_p23
Date: 1915
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