Preview up to 100 items from this collection below. Seattle’s massive effort to regrade and flatten much of the city’s hilly landscape is documented in this 1905-1908 photo album. Explore our map to see the modern-day photo locations.
View from 2nd Ave. regrade to Washington Hotel, ca. 1906
Although the regrade started in 1903, James Moore, the owner of the Washington Hotel, refused to clear the property until 1906 when regrading of Second and Third Avenues were well underway.
Identifier: spl_dr_032
Date: 1906
View this itemView north to regrade at 7th and Virginia, ca. 1906
Dwellings in the process of being lowered appear to the right.
Identifier: spl_dr_035
Date: 1906
View this itemView from 2nd Ave. of steam shovel and Washington Hotel, ca. 1905
Although the regrade started in 1903, James Moore, the owner of the Washington Hotel, refused to clear the property until 1906 when regrading of Second and Third Avenues were well underway.
Identifier: spl_dr_015
Date: 1905
View this itemEleanor Reed Interview, August 24, 1987
Eleanor Henry Reed (1911-1996) was an active member of Seattle’s charitable community. Reed was on the board of the Children’s Hospital for 20 years and also a member of the Sunset Club and the Junior League. She married William G. Reed in 1935 and the couple had 3 children together. Reed served as president of the Simpson Logging Company from 1943 to 1971. Her father, Paul Henry, was the founder of Henry Gallery at the University of Washington.
Identifier: spl_ds_ereed_01_01
Date: 1987-08-24
View this itemView east from near 1st Ave. and Pine St. to regrade activity, ca. 1906
The Washington Hotel appears at the top of the hill. Although the regrade started in 1903, James Moore, the owner of the Washington Hotel, refused to clear the property until 1906 when regrading of Second and Third Avenues were well underway.
Identifier: spl_dr_027
Date: 1906
View this itemJohn Rupp Interview, March 24, 1988
John Rupp (1913-1996) was a Seattle native and a prominent attorney, active in a variety of organizations. Rupp graduated from the University of Washington Law School in 1937 and joined his father’s firm McMicken Rupp & Schweppe. During World War II, Rupp served in the United States Navy and acted as an aide to the Commander of the North Pacific Fleet. Rupp was president of the Seattle Bar Association from 1956 to 1957 and served on the Washington State Transportation Board from 1957 to 1963. In 1962 Rupp became vice president and counsel for Pacific Northwest Bell. He acted as president of the Washington State Bar Association from 1966 to 1967. In 1989, Pacific Northwest Bell disbanded and Rupp joined the firm of Preston Gates & Ellis. Rupp was also an active member of the Washington State Board of Education, the Seattle Historical Society, the Seattle Yacht Club and the Seattle Municipal League.
Identifier: spl_ds_jrupp_01
Date: 1988-03-24
View this itemLetter from Edward S. Curtis to Harriet Leitch, circa March 1949
Note from Edward Curtis to Harriet Leitch responding to her questions about how long he lived in Seattle and how he began taking pictures of Native Americans. In response to the question "How did you get the confidence of the Indians?" Curtis writes "I said we, not you. In other words, I worked with them not at them."
Identifier: spl_esc_010
Date: 1949-03
View this itemRegrade construction SE of New Washington Hotel, ca. 1906
The backs of the Washington Hotel Annex (later known as Hotel Gowman and Hotel Stewart), the New Washington Hotel and the Moore Theatre are visible in distance near 2nd and Virginia intersection.
Identifier: spl_dr_039
Date: 1906
View this itemView SE from 2nd Ave. and Bell St., ca. 1906
Photograph appears to be taken after the completion of regrade work on 2nd Avenue. The Moore Theatre and the New Washington Hotel are visible on the right side of the photo in the distance.
Identifier: spl_dr_038
Date: 1906
View this itemDenny Regrade, ca. 1906
Water jets and building being deconstructed at unidentified regrade location.
Identifier: spl_dr_009
Date: 1906
View this item