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Research Guides

Researching Seattle: Maps & Images

Sources for research into Seattle and the surrounding area

Historic Postcards of Seattle

Postcard: Automobile and fallen tree across road, Woodland Park

Fishermen's fleet at Salmon Bay, n.d.

Luna Park roller coaster, West Seattle, n.d.

Postcard: Bird's-eye view of Harbor Island and the East Waterway, Seattle, ca. 1915

Students canoeing near Canoe House, University of Washington, ca. 1908

Postcard: Elliott Bay from Queen Anne Hill, ca. 1911

Bicycling around Green Lake, n.d.

Postcard: Skyline of Seattle, including the Smith Tower and waterfront, ca. 1928

Postcard: Denny Hall exterior showing southeast side, University of Washington

Aerial view of campus, University of Washington, between 1947 and 1979

Pioneer Place, 1st Ave., James St., and Yesler Way, n.d.

Football team, University of Washington, ca. 1915

Aerial view of the Court of Honor looking toward Mount Rainier, Alaska-Yukon-Pacific-Exposition, Seattle, Washington, 1909

Alki Point Lighthouse, n.d.

Anderson Hall, University of Washington, between 1925 and 1927

Columns with bi-plane overhead, University of Washington, after 1921

Regrade construction showing sluicing activity, ca. 1906

Frye Hotel, L.C. Smith Building and the Arctic Club.

Rainier Vista showing Mount Rainier and Suzzallo Library, University of Washington, between 1930 and 1944

Stream in Ravenna Park, 1912

University of Washington crew, 1908

Images

UW Digital Collections
Major collection of historic photographs & other materials related to PNW history.
Seattle Municipal Archives Photograph Database
Large collection of photographs from Seattle dating back to the 19th century.
MOHAI Photograph Archive
Access MOHAI’s large repository of historic Seattle images.
American Memory
Search the Library of Congress’ photograph collection for images, newspaper clippings, and maps.
King County Snapshots
More than 12,000 images of people and places from King County.
Seattle Schools Archives Photostream
More than 400 photos of Seattle schools dating back to the 1890s

Maps

Early Washington Maps
WSU Library’s collection of maps from early Washington settlements.

FIMo: Fire Insurance Maps Online
Fire Insurance Maps, Real Estate Atlases, Plat Books, and other historical maps showing building structures, building construction details, property ownership, property uses, and other useful information

Geographic Indexing Atlas
Seattle neighborhood map from the Seattle City Clerk’s office.
Historical Maps
A collection of historical maps from the Washington Secretary of State.
King County iMap
A customizable interactive map display of King County, with information on real estate, political boundaries, and more.
Library of Congress Map Collection
LOC’s archive of maps from throughout the United States.
Seattle City GIS
Department of Planning and Development’s interactive Seattle map.
Seattle Maps and Atlases
Seattle Public Library collection includes 1905 Baist's Real Estate Atlas of Seattle, 1889 King County Atlas & more
Seattle Municipal Archives Map Index
More than 1500 digitized maps of the Seattle area.
Segregated Seattle
Segregation maps, racial covenants & more; part of the Seattle Civil Rights & Labor History Project