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.
Seattle Central Library periodical room, 1910
Transcribed from photograph: "Public library. 1906-1957. Central building. Periodical room. 1910."
Identifier: spl_shp_35013
Date: 1910
View this itemPrincess Angeline at 1st Ave. and Seneca St., ca. 1892
Transcribed from photograph: "Portraits. Angeline, Princess. ?-1896. (daughter of Chief Seattle) Crossing Seneca St. at Front St. [1st Ave.]. 1887. Cliff House in background." Cliff House was not constructed until after the fire so the date provided in the photo caption is too early.
Identifier: spl_shp_12027
Date: 1892?
View this itemView north from 2nd Ave. and Virginia St., 1882
Transcribed from photograph: "Seattle Views. From 2nd Ave. and Virginia St. 1882. Belltown hill, looking north."
Identifier: spl_shp_22784
Date: 1882
View this itemNisei War Memorial, ca. 1955
Transcribed from photograph: "Monuments. Nisei war memorial. Lakeview Cemetery."
Identifier: spl_shp_20002
Date: 1955
View this itemWilliam M. Allen, ca. 1960
Transcribed from photograph: "Seattle Portraits. Allen, William M, 1900- ."
Identifier: spl_shp_21676
Date: 1960?
View this itemMeany Hall, University of Washington, 1909
Transcribed from photograph: "Colleges & Universities. Washington (state) University. Meany Hall Exterior. 1909. West facade, with statue of George Washington by Lorado Taft in the foreground. Classic style. Howard & Galloway, architects."
Identifier: spl_shp_20074
Date: 1909
View this itemTemporary post-fire buildings on 3d Ave., ca. June 1889
Transcribed from photograph: "Seattle Fire. June 6, 1889. Reconstruction. Temporary buildings. Third Ave. Between James St. and Jefferson St. 1889."
Identifier: spl_shp_23056
Date: 1889-06?
View this itemSnow at 4th Ave. and Pike St. and at Green Lake, February 2, 1916
Transcribed from photograph: "Snow. Feb 2, 1916. Fourth Ave. Looking South from Pike St. Green Lake. Skaters. Looking Northwest. Snow 30 inches deep."
Identifier: spl_shp_5820
Date: 1916-02-02
View this item304 28th Ave. S., 1954
Transcribed from photograph: "Houses. 304 - 28th Ave. South. Built ca. turn of the century. Exterior. Wood. Three-quarter view from the front and right side. Photo by Werner Lenggenhager, 1954."
Identifier: spl_shp_22455
Date: 1954
View this itemLake City Branch gates, Seattle Public Library, ca. 1966
Transcribed from photograph: "Seattle Public Library. Lake City Branch. 12501-28th N.E. Built 1966. Exterior. Entrance. Bronze gates designed by George Tantakawa [i.e. Tsutakawa]. John Morse, architect. Photo by John Morse."
Identifier: spl_shp_35086
Date: 1966?
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