Seattle Historical Photograph Collection
Preview up to 100 items from this collection below. More than 2,000 images reveal Seattle’s evolution. Early photos capture Seattle’s pioneers, the Great Fire of 1889 and the Denny Regrade along with historical buildings, streets and landmarks.
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Native American camp on Ballast Island at foot of S. Washington St., 1895
Transcribed from photograph: "Seattle Waterfront. Ca. 1895. Indian camp. Foot of Washington St. on Ballast Island. Colorprint by J. Baas after a photo by Asahel Curtis." Contrary to the photo caption, the original image was taken by Boyd & Braas, not Asahel Curtis.
Identifier: spl_shp_13910
Date: 1895
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Lake City Branch, Seattle Public Library, ca. 1966
Transcribed from photograph: "Seattle Public Library. Branches. Lake City branch. 12501 - 28th N. E. Built 1966. Bronze gates designed by George Tsutakawa. View from the inside taken from the right. Photo by John Morse. John Morse, architect."
Identifier: spl_shp_21871
Date: 1966?
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View north from Pine St., 1885
Transcribed from photograph: "Views. From Pine St. Vicinity. About 1885. Looking North to Lake Union."
Identifier: spl_shp_5181
Date: 1885
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View from 2nd Ave. and Pike St., 1870
Transcribed from photograph: "Views. From Second Avenue and Pike Street. 1870. 1. A. A. Denny house. 2. Yesler's mill and wharf. 3. Front Street. 4. Union Street."
Identifier: spl_shp_5099
Date: 1870
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St. Mark's Cathedral, ca. 1950
Transcribed from photograph: "Churches. St. Mark's cathedral (Episcopal). Exterior from southeast, 1245 10th Avenue North. 1929. Gothic Style. Arthur Brown (San Francisco), architect."
Identifier: spl_shp_20027
Date: 1950?
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1906-08 Minor Ave., 1954
Transcribed from photograph: "Seattle Apartment Buildings. 1906-08 Minor Ave. Exterior. Wood. Front view. Colored glass window panes. Photo by Werner Lenggenhager, 1954."
Identifier: spl_shp_22342
Date: 1954
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Homes on N. 76th St., east of Aurora Ave., 1953
Transcribed from photograph: "Houses. Row of builders' houses. North 76th Street, east of Aurora Ave. Built in the 1920's. Looking north. Photo by Werner Lenggenhager, 1953." Home at far right is 1119 N 76th St, Seattle, WA 98103. Note pasted on verso of photograph: "Row of Builders Houses. N 76th Street, just East of Aurora Avenue. South of Street facing north. 1920's. This is a group of similar, substantial, middle-income homes with their neat green lawns, evergreen shrub foundation planting, and varied roofs and porches continuing on down the street exemplified the typical Seattle neighborhood development. The white painted clapboard siding brick fireplaces, unused front yards with service, play yards and garages off the rear alley are particularly representative. The houses were obviously variations of one stock plan, fitting a certain unity to the street. They are good homes with hardwood floors, full basements and hot air heating systems. Many of today's developments still carry on in the spirit of this era, although the value of developing a more complete neighborhood environment with site developments planned for modern living, is having its influence."
Identifier: spl_shp_22440
Date: 1953
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Fire origin from 1st Ave. and Spring St., June 6, 1889
Transcribed from photograph: "Fire. June 6, 1889. At place of origin. Front Street looking South from Spring Street. Fire began at southwest corner of Front Street and Madison Street. Center: dome of Frye's Opera house. M. R. Maddock's building is the white building."
Identifier: spl_shp_5097
Date: 1889-06-06
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George Tsutakawa working on "Naramore Fountain," 1967
Transcribed from photograph: "Seattle Fountains. Naramore Fountain. Naramore fountain, designed by George Tsutakawa. 1967, Artist at work in his studio, Mt. Baker district, Seattle. Photo by the Seattle Times."
Identifier: spl_shp_35070
Date: 1967
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St. Spiridon, Orthodox Russian-American cathedral, ca. 1950
Transcribed from photograph: "Seattle Churches. St. Spiridon, Russian-American. Orthodox cathedral of. Exterior. 400 Yale North. Side view of cupolas."
Identifier: spl_shp_22339
Date: 1950?
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