Seattle Historic Postcard Collection | The Seattle Public Library
  • Smith Tower, ca. 1914

    Smith Tower, ca. 1914

    Nowell, Frank H., 1864-1950

    Transcribed from postcard: "The New L.C. Smith building, Seattle. 42 stories high, now being erected at the Corner of Second Avenue and Yesler Way. Second Ave and the 42 Story L.C. Smith Bldg. Seattle. U.S.A. Eight elevators-two serving the tower. Six hundred Offices. Six stores. Telegraph office on first Floor. Barber Shop, Restaurant, Buffet in Basement, Thirty-fifth Floor furnished in Washington Fir used as an observatory. Exterior, Washington Granite for first two floors; above white glazed terra cotta. Cost: $1,500,000."

    Identifier: spl_pc_00202

    Date: 1914?

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  • Hotel Butler, ca. 1905

    Hotel Butler, ca. 1905

    The original Butler Block building was a three story wooden structure that was constructed around 1875. This building burned in the fire of 1889 but was quickly replaced with a more substantial stone structure. The Butler Hotel or Hotel Butler began operation in the building in 1903, attracting many visitors and gaining a reputation during Prohibition for ignoring the laws against alcohol. The Great Depression forced the hotel to close its doors in 1933 and now all that remains are the lower two floors of the building which were converted into a parking garage.

    Identifier: spl_pc_00815

    Date: 1905?

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  • Summit Ave. and Marion St., ca. 1910

    Summit Ave. and Marion St., ca. 1910

    View of residence at Summit Avenue and Marion Street on First Hill.

    Identifier: spl_pc_00601

    Date: 1910?

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  • Olympic Hotel, ca. 1925

    Olympic Hotel, ca. 1925

    The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, originally the Olympic Hotel, was built in 1924 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

    Identifier: spl_pc_00814

    Date: 1925?

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  • St. James Cathedral, ca. 1910

    St. James Cathedral, ca. 1910

    Bishop Edward O'Dea purchased the land for St. James Cathedral's First Hill site in 1903 after successfully petitioning the Pope to relocate the episcopal see from Vancouver, Washington to Seattle. The cornerstone for the building was laid in 1905 with more than 5,000 people in attendance and the cathedral officially opened on December 15, 1907.

    Identifier: spl_pc_00312

    Date: 1910?

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  • Alaska Building, ca. 1905

    Alaska Building, ca. 1905

    The Alaska Building, constructed between 1903 and 1904, was the first building in Seattle to be built with a steel frame. At 14 stories high, it was the tallest building in Seattle until the construction of the Hoge Building in 1911.

    Identifier: spl_pc_00226

    Date: 1905?

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  • Come by Sail, Rail, or Hit the Trail! The Golden Potlatch, June 14, 1911

    Come by Sail, Rail, or Hit the Trail! The Golden Potlatch, June 14, 1911

    Postcard advertising the Golden Potlatch Festival, featuring three images on front showing the Seattle waterfront, a forest road and King Street Station. Transcribed from postcard: "A Hot Time in a Cool Place - Come! Seattle's Great Carnival Week of July 17th, 1911 Welcome!" Printed on back of postcard: "51. July 17, 1897, the steamer Portland arrived in Seattle bringing $500,000 in gold dust, the first proof of the rich strikes in the North. Within twenty-four hours the greatest gold rush of modern time was under way."

    Identifier: spl_pc_36038

    Date: 1911-06-14

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  • U.S. Court House, Custom House and Post Office, Seattle, Washington.

    U.S. Court House, Custom House and Post Office, Seattle, Washington.

    Construction on Seattle's Third Avenue post office (also known as the U.S. Court House, Custom House and Post Office) was began in 1903 and ended in 1908. The building was located at the intersection of Union Street and Third Avenue, which was being regraded at the time. The Third Avenue regrade left a gap of four feet down to the new sidewalk which resulted in a new set of stairs being added to the building's exterior. The building was demolished in 1958.

    Identifier: spl_pc_00411

    Date: 1908?

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  • Jakk Corsaw, Highway Department Dave, and woman on bench, Pike Place Market courtyard, May 1967

    Jakk Corsaw, Highway Department Dave, and woman on bench, Pike Place Market courtyard, May 1967

    Large, Jack

    Corsaw on courtyard bench with Highway Department Dave and wife, girlfriend

    Identifier:

    Date: 1967-05

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  • Capitol Hill, from Queen Anne Hill, January 6, 1907

    Capitol Hill, from Queen Anne Hill, January 6, 1907

    Aerial view of Capitol Hill taken from Queen Anne.

    Identifier: spl_pc_00605

    Date: 1907-01-06

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