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.
William Hickman Moore, ca. 1906
Transcribed from photograph: "Portraits. Moore, William Hickman. 1861-1946. Mayor, 1906-1908."
Identifier: spl_shp_15121
Date: 1906?
View this itemView 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
View this item1906-08 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
View this itemSt. 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?
View this itemFire 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
View this itemHomes 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
View this itemSt. 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?
View this itemGeorge 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
View this itemDr. Maynard House at 3045 64th Ave SW, ca. 1950
Transcribed from photograph: "Houses. Maynard, Dr. Originally stood near the old Stockade Hotel, now located at 3045 64th S.W. Oldest house in Seattle. Build 1855. Moved in 1922."
Identifier: spl_shp_19575
Date: 1950?
View this itemPacific Science Center arches, ca. 1962
Transcribed from photograph: "Seattle. Seattle Center. Science Center. Arches, fountains and pool. Architects: Yamasaki Minoru, and associates; Naramore, Bain, Brady & Johanson."
Identifier: spl_shp_21657
Date: 1962?
View this item