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.
Pietro Belluschi Interview, November 24, 1986
Pietro Belluschi (1889-1994) was an architect based for many years out of Portland, Oregon. Belluschi was born in Ancona, Italy and came to the United States in 1923 as an exchange student at Cornell University. Belluschi was known for his modern approach to architecture and the design of buildings such as the Equitable Building in Portland and the Pan Am Building in New York City. Over the course of his career, Belluschi designed over 1,000 buildings. He also served as the dean of the MIT School of Architecture and Planning from 1951 until 1965. The American Institute of Architects awarded him their Gold Medal in 1972.
Identifier: spl_ds_pbelluschi_02
Date: 1986-11-24
View this itemView from 3rd Ave. and Virginia St. of New Washington Hotel and regrade construction, ca. 1906
The back of the New Washington Hotel appears on the left and the back of the Moore Theatre appears on the right.
Identifier: spl_dr_028
Date: 1906
View this itemView east from 2nd Ave. and Pine St. to regrade work, 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. The building that appears on the far right is a series of row houses located at 2nd Ave. and Stewart. The same building can be seen in spl_dr_027.
Identifier: spl_dr_036
Date: 1906
View this itemView south from 3rd Ave. and Battery St., ca. 1906
The Moore Theatre, located on 2nd Avenue and Virginia St., and the New Washington Hotel are visible in the distance.
Identifier: spl_dr_016
Date: 1906
View this itemView north on 2nd Ave. from Pike St., ca. 1906
The building that appears on the far right is a series of row houses located at 2nd Ave. and Stewart. The same building can be seen in spl_dr_027.
Identifier: spl_dr_023
Date: 1906
View this itemTrain transporting regrade dirt on Westlake Ave., ca. 1906
Train on raised railroad on Westlake Ave. near Stewart St. It is likely the the train pictured is the Mount Moses, Denny Hill, Central and Westlake Valley Airline. The towers of St. James Cathedral can be seen in the distance on the left.
Identifier: spl_dr_031
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_021
Date: 1906
View this itemView of regrade north from Madison St. and 3rd Ave., ca. 1906
Piper and Taft Sporting Goods appears on the left. In the distances is wreckage of what may be the old Washington Hotel. 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_018
Date: 1906
View this itemRegrade railway and steam shovel, ca. 1906
Possible location is near the site of the Washington Hotel. Although the regrade started in 1903, James Moore, the owner of the hotel, refused to clear the property until 1906 when regrading of Second and Third Avenues were well underway.
Identifier: spl_dr_012
Date: 1906
View this itemView of regrade north from Madison St., ca. 1906
View north to regrade steam shovel at work on Spring St. between 2nd and 3rd Avenues. Piper and Taft Sporting Goods and Hotel George appear in the background.
Identifier: spl_dr_024
Date: 1906
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