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.
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U.S. Court House, Custom House and Post Office, Seattle, Washington.
Construction on Seattle's Third Avenue post office (also known as the U.S. Court House, Custom House and Post Office) was began in 1903 and ended in 1908. The building was located at the intersection of Union Street and Third Avenue, which was being regraded at the time. The Third Avenue regrade left a gap of four feet down to the new sidewalk which resulted in a new set of stairs being added to the building's exterior. The building was demolished in 1958.
Identifier: spl_pc_00411
Date: 1908?
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Capitol Hill, from Queen Anne Hill, January 6, 1907
Aerial view of Capitol Hill taken from Queen Anne.
Identifier: spl_pc_00605
Date: 1907-01-06
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Hotel Butler, ca. 1908
The original Butler Block building was a three story wooden building that was constructed around 1875. This building burned in the fire of 1889 but was quickly replaced with a more substantial stone structure. The Butler Hotel or Hotel Butler began operation in the building in 1903, attracting many visitors and gaining a reputation during Prohibition for ignoring the laws against alcohol. The Great Depression forced it to close its doors in 1933 and now all that remains are the lower two floors of the building which were converted into a parking garage.
Identifier: spl_pc_00808
Date: 1908?
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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?
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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
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Seattle's Civic Center, ca. 1930
Street view of the Frye Hotel, the L.C. Smith Tower and City Hall and Courthouse. The Frye Hotel was constructed in 1911 and designed by the architects Charles H. Bebb and Louis L. Mendel. The project was funded by Seattle pioneer George F. Frye and his wife Louisa Frye (originally of the Denny family). The hotel was converted to low income housing in the 1970s. The Smith Tower was constructed in 1914 by the architecture firm Gaggin and Gaggin. It was the tallest building in Seattle until the construction of the Space Needle in 1962.
Identifier: spl_pc_00405
Date: 1930?
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King Street Station, 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 (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. (Alternative names for Union Station include the Union Depot and the Northern Pacific Great Northern Depot.) The postcard captioning can be confusing because both stations were sometimes referred to as "union stations" 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_01014
Date: 1906?
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Victor Steinbrueck letter to Councilman Paul Kranbel, June 1, 1983
In his letter to Paul Kranbel of the Seattle City Council, Steinbrueck expresses his concerns over the Pike Place Market Ordinance Proposal drafted by Councilman Michael Hildt. His concerns include the prospect of weakening the Historic District Commission and ensuring enough space is allocated for farmers. He includes a draft of the ordinance with his letter in which he has written notes and proposed changes.
Identifier: spl_ps_036
Date: 1983-06-01
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Perry Apartments, ca. 1909
Located at Madison Street and Boren Avenue, the Perry Hotel, also known as the Perry Apartments, was built in 1907. In 1916, the building was renovated to become the Columbus Sanitarium and renamed once again to Cabrini Hospital in the 1960s. The building was demolished in 1996.
Identifier: spl_pc_00806
Date: 1909
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Seattle-Tacoma Airport, ca. 1950
Transcribed from postcard: "The new $11,000,000 Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, now serving the United States, Alaska and the Orient."
Identifier: spl_pc_00407
Date: 1950?
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