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.
Spectators watching regrade work, ca. 1906
Billboard for Charley's Aunt, a production at the Pantages Theatre can be seen in background. 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_014
Date: 1906
View this itemSnow on Union St. at 3rd Ave., January 30, 1969
Looking east on Union St. from 3rd Ave. The buildings on the left are the Vance Building and the 1411 4th Ave. Building.
Identifier: spl_dor_00025
Date: 1969-01-30
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 itemClaiming Space, Seattle's Lesbian & Gay Historical Geography, 2004
Map depicting significant locations relating to gay and lesbian history in Seattle.
Identifier: spl_maps_2449778
Date: 2004
View this itemMen guiding water jets for regrade work, ca. 1906
Workers guiding hydraulic jets and at unidentified location as spectators look on.
Identifier: spl_dr_025
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 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 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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