See letters, photographs and other ephemera from two of Seattle's early families.
John Steiner Interview, February 12, 1988
John Steiner (1917-2003) was vice president and corporate director of product development at Boeing. Steiner was born in Seattle. He earned his Aeronautical Engineering degree from the University of Washington in 1940 and his masters from MIT in 1941 and began working at Boeing shortly afterwards, Steiner married his wife, Dorothy, in 1942 and the couple had three children together. During his career at 43 year career at Boeing, he helped develop many airplanes including the 707, 727 and 737. After leaving Boeing, Steiner served on the White House Aeronautical Policy Review Committee.
Identifier: spl_ds_jsteiner_01
Date: 1988-02-12
View this itemEnvelope to Mrs. A. [Sarah] Latimer, December 8, 1891
Empty envelope addressed to Sarah Latimer. Sarah was the wife of Alexander Latimer and mother to five daughters: Narcissa Leonora Latimer Denny (1851-1900), Eliza Alice Latimer Fowler (1856-1934), Harriet Ellen Latimer Stephens (1859-1938), Clara Latimer Bickford (1861-1934), and Emma Chesney Latimer Reynolds (1864-1946). The letter was postmarked from Minnesota. The town is difficult to read but is likely Winnebago City where Sarah Latimer was living at the time.
Identifier: spl_lj_010
Date: 1891-12-08
View this itemNarcissa Latimer letter to Alexander and Sarah Latimer, November 17, 1884
Narcissa Leonora (Nora) Latimer Denny was the daughter of Alexander and Sarah Latimer. She had four sisters: Eliza Alice Latimer Fowler (1856-1934), Harriet Ellen Latimer Stephens (1859-1938), Clara Latimer Bickford (1861-1934), and Emma Chesney Latimer Reynolds (1864-1946). Narcissa married Orion Denny on April 1, 1889. The letter is addressed to Alexander and Sarah Latimer and is written from Seattle. It discusses Seattle's climate, her duties as a teacher, women's suffrage, the recent presidential election and Denny family matters including the birth of Roland Denny's third daughter (Edith Denny). Narcissa writes that one of Roland's daughters' was upset that the baby was a girl and notes that ""Cousin Arthur"" (Arthur Denny) consoled the child by telling her that a girl is worth as much as a boy because ""She can vote."" (Washington Territory women were granted the right to vote in 1883 but the right was repealed in August 1888 when a court ruled that the territorial government did not have the authority to enfranchise women voters. Washington became a state in 1889 but women did not regain the vote in Washington until 1910.)
Identifier: spl_lj_004
Date: 1884-11-17
View this itemView 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 itemLetter from Arthur Goodwin to Rafaele Boffa regarding sale of local spinach, February 26, 1927
In his letter, Goodwin notifies Boffa that it has been brought to his attention that Boffa is selling California spinach when local spinach is now readily available for sale at Pike Place Market. He asks Boffa to dispose of the spinach not grown locally and notes 'We shall be compelled to confiscate any spinach that is offered for sale at your stall next Monday.'
Identifier: spl_sh_00069
Date: 1927-02-26
View this itemInvitation from the Seattle Chamber of Commerce to a reception for Baron Shibusawa and the honorary commercial commissioners from Japan at the Washington State Building, September 4, 1909
Printed invitation particularly requesting the presence of ladies to the reception to be held from 8:30 until 10:00.
Identifier: mohai_ayp_2006.3.46.10
Date: 1909-09-04
View this itemEmma Chesney Latimer Reynolds, ca. 1880
Emma Chesney Latimer Reynolds was the daughter of Alexander and Sarah Latimer and sister to Narcissa Latimer. Emma married Charles Reynolds in 1886 in Minnesota.
Identifier: spl_lj_020
Date: 1880?
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 itemUnknown woman in Galesburg, Illinois, ca. 1880
Photograph taken by Thomas Harrison in Galesburg, Illinois.
Identifier: spl_lj_034
Date: 1880?
View this itemUnknown young woman, ca. 1880
Exact date and location of the photograph are unknown.
Identifier: spl_lj_047
Date: 1880?
View this item