Seattle Historic Postcard Collection
Preview up to 100 items from this collection below. Highlights of early 20th century Seattle, as depicted through our historic postcards. Cards include images of buildings, attractions and events from the 1900s to the 1960s along with messages between friends and family.
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Olympic Hotel, ca. 1930
The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, originally the Olympic Hotel, was built in 1924. The hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
Identifier: spl_pc_00809
Date: 1930?
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First Hill, ca. 1910
First Hill neighborhood depicting St. James Cathedral at the top of the hill. The photo used as the basis for the card was likely was taken from the top of King Street Station.
Identifier: spl_pc_00302
Date: 1910?
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Illustrated Pike Place Market shopping bag
Illustrated, white paper shopping bag with illustrations in black depicting Pike Place Market scenes.
Identifier: spl_ps_025
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Pacific Builder and Engineer, v. 4, no. 42, Oct. 20, 1906
Identifier: spl_pbe_3022043_1906_04_42
Date: 1906-10-20
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Scottish Rite Cathedral at Broadway and Harvard Ave., ca. 1911
Street view of the Scottish Rite Cathedral which was once located at the corner of Broadway and Harvard. Building construction cost $65,000 and was completed in 1911 under the supervision of architect Frank Allen. The building served as a meeting place for freemasons in the Seattle area. The Scottish Rite group moved to a new building in the 1960's at 1155 Broadway East but that building has since also been demolished.
Identifier: spl_pc_00315
Date: 1911?
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Westward Motel & Gift Shop, ca. 1965
Street view of the Westward Motel and Gift Shop located on Aurora Avenue in Shoreline. Owned and operated by Bill and Mildred Rother.
Identifier: spl_pc_00813
Date: 1965?
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Collins Field House, ca. 1910
Transcribed from postcard: "Four of Seattle's playgrounds have been provided with these Field Houses containing Libraries, Club Rooms, Assembly Halls, and Gymnasiums." The Collins Field House, located at the east end of Collins park on between 14th and 16th Avenues S., was one of three recreation centers built by the city in the early 1900's. It followed the center at Hiawatha Park and the Ballard Field House. The Collins Field House was torn down in 1975.
Identifier: spl_pc_00702
Date: 1910?
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Frederick & Nelson, ca. 1965
Transcribed from postcard: "Frederick & Nelson, Fifth at Pine, Seattle. Ten floors of modern beauty! Popular rendezvous for Seattleites and visitors to the city. Eighth floor Tea Room overlooks downtown area. Two smart suburban stores: Bellevue and Aurora Village."
Identifier: spl_pc_00223
Date: 1965?
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Marine Digest, v.2, no.10, Nov. 3, 1923
Cover photo caption: The Forest Friend, photo by George Hamilton
Identifier: spl_md_840284_1923_02_10
Date: 1923-11-03
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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_00308
Date: 1910?
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