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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Pacific Builder and Engineer, v. 4, no. 21, May. 26, 1906
Page 3 article discusses architect Augustus Warren Gould's visit to San Francisco to see the ruins of the fire.
Identifier: spl_pbe_3022043_1906_04_21
Date: 1906-05-26
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Smith Tower, Court House and City Hall, ca. 1950
Transcribed from postcard: "Smith Tower, Court House and City Hall, Seattle, Washington, in down-town Seattle. From the observation platform in Smith Tower, a 42-story building, one may enjoy an excellent view of the city and surrounding country."
Identifier: spl_pc_00210
Date: 1950?
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St. James Cathedral, ca. 1909
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_00306
Date: 1909?
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Tracing paper layout for Friends of the Market letterhead
Draft of the Friends of the Market letterhead created by Victor Steinbrueck. Letterhead lists officers and board of trustees members.
Identifier: spl_ps_028
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King Street Station interior, ca. 1906
During the early 1900's, there was increasing interest in connecting railroads with Seattle. The high demand and competition between railways resulted in two railway stations being built directly next to each other at 4th Avenue and Jackson Street. King Street Station (the interior of which is depicted in this postcard) was constructed in 1906 and can be distinguished by its tower. Union Station, originally known as the Oregon and Washington Station, was constructed in 1911. Confusingly, both stations were sometimes referred to as "union stations" or "union depots" due to the fact that multiple railroad lines were shared within the same terminal. For a good example of the differences between Union Station and King Street Station see spl_pc_01011 where Union Station appears in the foreground and King Street Station appears in the background.
Identifier: spl_pc_01015
Date: 1906
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Exterior to African Exhibit Pavilion
Africa Pavilion of the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). "The nations of Africa, the majority of which have achieved independence since the end of World War II, are introduced and explained in the African Nations Pavilion on the International Mall. The exhibit shows how experts expect the African continent to develop in the next four decades. It explains the differences between the African peoples and the size and shape of the many new nations on the world’s second largest continent. Included in the displays, which were arranged in cooperation with several universities and associations, are African artifacts and handicrafts." (Official Guide Book, Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Acme Publications. p. 84.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00019
Date: 1962-04-18
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Plymouth Congregational Church, March 21, 1932
Transcribed from postcard: "Plymouth Congregational Church was founded in 1870 and moved to its third location, depicted here at 6th Avenue and University Street, after construction was completed in 1912." The building was demolished in 1966.
Identifier: spl_pc_00325
Date: 1932-03-21
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Pacific Builder and Engineer, v. 4, no. 38, Sep. 22, 1906
Page 3 article discusses the opening of the Savoy Hotel at 2nd Ave. and University St.
Identifier: spl_pbe_3022043_1906_04_38
Date: 1906-09-22
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Hotel Lincoln's rooftop garden, ca. 1910
Hotel Lincoln was constructed in 1900 at the intersection of 4th Avenue and Madison Street. The hotel was destroyed by fire in 1920.
Identifier: spl_pc_00803
Date: 1910?
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