Over the past weeks we have been posting items from our photograph collection from A to Z for the #MuseumAlphabet Challenge. This fun way to share our collection was inspired by our friends at the Log House Museum and our own artifact collection A to Z. In case you missed it over on our social media pages or just want to see everything again, we have compiled the posts here for you to browse. We hope you enjoy these photographs from our collection.
A is for “Aerial”!
We had so much fun doing the A to Z challenge for our objects collection that we decided to do it again! This time we will be highlighting our photo collection for the #MuseumAlphabet challenge. Today we have three aerial photos of Edmonds. We love aerials like these as they show how the town has changed over time.
Photo 1: Aerial of Edmonds, c. 1936 (EHM 152.9)
Photo 2: Aerial of Edmonds, c. 1953 (EHM 152.11)
Photo 3: Aerial of Edmonds, c. 2004 (EHM 152.26)
B is for “Band”!
The Edmonds City Band first started in 1902 and existed on and off for many years. In May 1922 it was reorganized with 20 musicians and a director, Albert Lenz. The band played at many city events such as the opening of the Princess Theater in 1923. Also, included is a photo of the first E.H.S. band from 1921-1922.
Photo 1: Edmonds City Band, c. 1910 (EHM 221.1)
Photo 2: First E.H.S. Band, 1921-1922 (EHM 103.27)
C is for “Cake”!
Now these photos really take the cake! Here we have people celebrating big moments in life with a little cake. Taking a photo of their cakes means that they really can have their cake and eat it too!
Photo 1: Bessie Reynolds 18th birthday, holding a cake that resembles her 1st birthday cake, c. 1932 (EHM 215.27)
Photo 2: Barbara Ann (Klapper) Brown holding a cake in front of model of Kalakala ferry for the commemorative 20 year birthday of the Kalakala, 1955 (EHM 240.92)
D is for “Downtown”!
From sparse, unpaved streets to a bustling hub of local businesses, Downtown Edmonds has been at the heart of the city since it was founded in 1890. Here we have another set of photos that show how the downtown area has changed over time.
Photo 1: Downtown Edmonds, c. 1910 (EHM 150.4)
Photo 2: Downtown Edmonds, c. 1925 (EHM 150.11)
Photo 3: Downtown Edmonds, 1958 (EHM 150.47)
Photo 4: Downtown Edmonds, 1995 (EHM 150.94)
E is for “Entertainment”!
Whether it was listening to music, watching films, or enjoying plays, there was no shortage of entertainment for early Edmonds residents to choose from.
Photo 1: Evans & Dewey Family Band, c. 1905. The family band entertained audiences in the building that is now the Masonic Lodge on Dayton Street. (EHM 200E-05)
Photo 2: Odd Fellows Hall Theatre, c. 1912-1915. The Odd Fellows Hall showed its first silent film in 1911 until about 1916 when the Union Theater opened on Main Street. (EHM 160.65)
Photo 3: E.H.S. Senior Play, 1922. The Edmonds High School class of 1922 presented their play “She Stoops to Conquer” inside the Edmonds Opera House. (EHM 102.199)
F is for “Factory”!
Edmonds has had its fair share of interesting factories over the years. While it is best know for manufacturing shingles, it was also home to a box factory, a cigar factory, and a leather factory. See the descriptions of the photos below for more information about each one.
Photo 1: Washington Excelsior & Manufacturing Company, c. 1910. This factory, often referred to as the “Box Factory”, manufactured excelsior, which was used as packing material and was made from Cottonwood logs. It also manufactured packing boxes which were made from Hemlock and Fir. (EHM 140.2)
Photo 2: Bach Lumber Company Mill, c. 1920. The building was bought by Universal By-Products in 1920 and began producing leather from shark and whale skins until 1924. (EHM 141.7)
Photo 3: Brown House, 1937. The house was originally built as a cigar factory, which was started in 1888 by Fred L. Brown. (EHM 160.169)
G is for “Gas Stations”!
As cars became more prevalent in Edmonds, so did gas stations. Here we have Caspers’ Corner Texaco which opened in 1926 and Harry’s Shell Service which opened in 1948.
Photo 1: Caspers’ Corner Texaco, c. 1929. Located on the corner of 3rd Ave. and Caspers St., this gas station was owned and operated by Anthony Caspers for 24 years, opening in 1926 and sold in June 1950. (EHM 160.221)
Photo 2: Harry’s Shell Service, 1954. Located on the corner of 5th Ave. and Dayton St., this service station was constructed in August 1947 by Harry Cogswell. It opened in January 1948. (EHM 160.224)
H is for “Hotel”!
The Royal Hotel, originally named the Commercial Hotel, appears to have been built prior to 1893, although the exact date is unknown. It was one of the oldest landmarks in Edmonds before it was lost to multiple fires in 1931 and 1932. It was damaged by a fire in May 1931, then practically destroyed by another in March 1932. Finally, in November 1932 it was completely lost in yet another fire.
Photo 1: Commercial Hotel along 2nd Ave N, before 1893 (EHM 161.12)
Photo 2: Royal Hotel located on the north side of George Street (Main Street) near 2nd Ave, 1905 (EHM 161.1)
Photo 3: Royal Hotel at NE corner of 2nd Ave N & Main Street, n.d. (EHM 161.21)
I is for “Independent Telephone Company”!
The telephone came to Edmonds on July 31, 1900. In January 1908, Edmonds businessmen became impatient with the neglect of the current telephone company and met to form the Edmonds Independent Telephone Company. The first directors meeting was held in March and the company immediately purchased switchboard equipment, installed telephones, and expanded rapidly to bring Edmonds on par with other communities. The offices were located on Main Street between 5th and 6th Aves. The wood building was replaced by a concrete on in 1924. The company was sold in November 1943.
Photo 1: Edmonds Independent Telephone Company, c. 1915 (EHM 160.167)
Photo 2: Edmonds Telephone Office interior on Main Street, November 18, 1912 (EHM 160.29)
Photo 3: New building (left) and old building (right) of the Edmonds Independent Telephone Company, 1924 (EHM 160.187)
J is for “Jetty”!
In 1963 the city purchased the land that is now Brackett’s Landing Park. Around that time, a jetty with a walkway was built so that everyone could get closer to the water and enjoy the views. The jetty was rebuilt in 1989 to what we currently know today.
Photo 1: Aerial of Edmonds Waterfront, September 19, 1966 (EHM 134.6)
Photo 2: Old jetty at Edmonds beach, c. 1970s (EHM 130.14)
Photo 3: View from Sunset Avenue above Edmonds rock jetty, showing a ferry docking, March 15, 1996 (EHM 135.11)
K is for “Kingston”!
Yes, we know it is not Edmonds! But these two towns have been linked since May 16, 1923 when the automobile ferry route was launched for the first time. A holiday was declared in Edmonds to celebrate the opening of the new route. Local people packed their lunches, boarded the City of Edmonds vessel along with the Edmonds Park Band, and rode to Kingston for the inaugural voyage.
Photo 1: Edmonds Park Band aboard City of Edmonds, May 16, 1923 (EHM 221.4)
Photo 2: City of Edmonds unloading vehicles at Kingston dock, 1923 (EHM 3.50)
L is for “Library”!
The Edmonds Carnegie Library was opened on February 17, 1911 but was there a library before this? Yes, there was! The first public library had been provided in 1901 with Francis A. Stejer as the librarian. Every three months, a rotation of books was provided by the Washington State Traveling Library committee. The Edmonds Library Association was formed on August 22, 1907 and in 1909, the Edmonds library became an institution of the city government. Rev. John H. W. Lockwood was named librarian and $5 a month was allocated to purchase books.
Photo 1: Temporary library in Edmonds, c. 1909 (EHM 230.42)
Photo 2: Edmonds Carnegie Library, c. 1910 (EHM 230.30)
M is for “Mills”!
Believe it or not, the Edmonds waterfront used to be made up of almost all sawmills. The first one was built by George Brackett himself in 1889. The last mill standing was the Quality Shingle Mill which closed in 1951.
Photo 1: Early Edmonds waterfront shingle mills, c. 1908-1912 (EHM 141.39)
Photo 2: First sawmill built in Edmonds, 1889 (EHM 141.5)
Photo 3: Quality Shingle Mill; Edmonds’ last shingle mill, March 1953 (EHM 142.21)
N is for “North Edmonds”!
North Edmonds was platted in 1890 by A.C. Allen. He erected the Alameda Hotel and built a small stone pier. The plat contained 50 acres and Mr. Allen offered a residence and business lot to anyone who would establish a mill or factory there.
Photo 1: Aerial of north Edmonds waterfront, n.d. (EHM 180.223)
Photo 2: Alameda Hotel in North Edmonds, c. 1914 (EHM 161.25)
O is for “Olympic Mountains”!
Looking out across the water, the Olympic Mountains are pretty hard to miss! These mountains add to the beauty of the scenery of the Pacific Northwest. In the summer of 1931, the Chamber offered a prize for the most appropriate slogan for Edmonds. The contest was won by C.J. Hildebrand with the slogan “Gateway to the Olympics”. A sign was erected that same year at 168th Street and Highway 99 containing this slogan.
Photo 1: View of the Olympic Mountains, taken from 8th Ave looking down (west) newly cleared Maple Street, n.d. (EHM 150.24)
Photo 2: Edmonds “Gate Way to the Olympics” Sign, May 1939 (EHM 150.208)
P is for “Perrinville”!
Carl and Gertie Perrin settled in the area in 1938. Carl wanted to move from Edmonds to the country. Gertie agreed with the condition that she would build a town in the area to which they moved. They first built a log cabin near the current intersection of 76th Ave. W. and Olympic View Drive. The Perrins then had the land cleared and made level lots from the hillside. Gertie paid 50 cents to have the name Perrinville recorded. They bought wires and poles to bring electricity to the area, paid for the first sewer and water lines, and put in the first telephone. After the log cabin, 5 more buildings were built including a grocery store and gas station.
Photo 1: Perrinville, November 29, 1987 (EHM 304.19)
Photo 2: Proehl’s Perrinville Sav-tyme Store, 1938 (EHM 304.1)
Photo 3: Carl & Gertie Perrin in front of their log cabin, n.d. (EHM 211.2)
Q is for “Quillayute Ferry”!
The Quillayute ferry of all wood construction was built in 1927 by the Sound Ferry System which was absorbed by the Puget Sound Navigation Company a year later. The ferry was assigned to the Edmonds-Kingston-Port Ludlow route on May 14, 1927 and remained there for about 10 years. After leaving the Edmonds to Port Ludlow run, she operated on the Seattle-Suquamish, Seattle-Manchester, Port White-Bremerton, and other routes including a route to Canada. In 2003, the Quillayute was towed to shore and broken up due to its deteriorated condition and fear that it would cause a massive oil spill. What could not be salvaged was burned, ending over 75 years of service.
Photo 1: Quillayute on Port Ludlow route, n.d. (EHM 3.57)
Photo 2: Quillayute docked and loading in Edmonds July 4, 1927 (EHM 3.58)
Photo 3: Captain Grahame Shrader in Quillayute wheelhouse, 1942 (EHM 3.60)
R is for “Railroad Depot”!
The original Edmonds railroad depot opened in November 1910 after much controversy. The railroad came to Edmonds in 1891 and a station was built on the west side of the tracks away from downtown. After a formal investigation by the Washington State Railroad Commission of stations across Snohomish County, the courts ordered the Great Northern Railroad to improve their depots. Originally, the new building was meant to be at James Street but the Chamber of Commerce intervened believing the station should be closer to town. In November 1910 the Great Northern moved into its new depot, bringing to fruition a long campaign by the Chamber of Commerce to locate a station near Main Street. This building remained until 1956, when a new building was built next to it and it was demolished on December 27, 1956.
Photo 1: Edmonds Great Northern Railroad Station, n.d. (EHM 240.16)
Photo 2: Edmonds Railroad Depot demolition, December 27, 1956 (EHM 240.30)
Photo 3: Edmonds Railroad Depot built in 1956, between 1971 and 1999 (EHM 240.77)
S is for “Strawberry”!
Strawberries are the quintessential summer berry and were of great importance to early farmers in the Edmonds area. In 1912, the importance of growing fruits, especially strawberries, led to the creation of the Edmonds- Richmond Beach- Meadowdale Fruit Growers Association. The importance of the strawberry was further highlighted by the Edmonds Strawberry Festival, first put on by the Chamber of Commerce in 1922.
Photo 1: Strawberry pickers in Richmond Beach, n.d. (EHM 307.6)
Photo 2: Oscar & Elizabeth Kline residence & strawberry field at 3rd N, n.d. (EHM 180.36)
Photo 3: Strawberry Festival at Edmonds Park, early 1920s (EHM 220.10)
T is for “Trophy”!
Here we have the 1922 Championship Trophy for the Snohomish County Basketball League. Both the Edmonds High School Boys and Girls teams were champions for that year.
Photo 1: Championship Basketball Trophy, 1922 (EHM 103.57)
Photo 2: E.H.S. Championship Boys Basketball Team, 1922 (EHM 103.23)
Photo 3: E.H.S. Championship Girls Basketball Team, 1922 (EHM 103.53)
U is for “Unknown”!
While we have a lot of sources and materials for research, sometimes even we get stumped! We a have a small batch of photos that are labeled “Unknown”. These photos are a mystery to us in one or several ways: 1) We don’t know who the people are; 2) We don’t know where it was taken; 3) We generally know nothing about the photo. But fear not! This is where you can help us by identifying anything and everything! Please contact us with any ideas or information you have about these photos!
Photo 1: Group of People, men wearing Salvation Army uniforms (EHM 400.1)
Photo 2: People Standing on or near an unfinished building, appears to be the building of a home (EHM 400.3)
Photo 3: Group of People, maybe a lumber mill crew or building crew (EHM 400.17)
Photo 4: Group of Women with Children, appears to be a restaurant or cafe (EHM 400.39)
Photo 5: Group of People, appears to be in a church (EHM 400.46)
V is for “Volunteers”!
Volunteers are at the back bone of many organizations, including ours. We could not do all that we do for the community without all of our dedicated volunteers. So, this post is for you and all others who volunteer for the various organizations throughout the Edmonds and South Snohomish communities! Thank you for all that you do!
Photo 1: Edmonds Museum Volunteers, 2005 (EHM 200MISC-32)
Photo 2: Edmonds Volunteer Fire Department, 1925 (EHM 231.2)
Photo 3: Edmonds Police Crime Watch Volunteers, August 2010 (EHM 231.21)
W is for “World’s Fair Dome”!
The Seattle World’s Fair, Century 21 Exposition, took place from April 21, 1962, to October 21, 1962 in what is now the Seattle Center. The iconic Space Needle was built for the event as well as many other interesting buildings. One of these buildings made its way to Edmonds. The Ford Pavilion, affectionately known here as the World’s Fair Dome, was moved and reconstructed on the Edmonds waterfront next to the Surf and Sand Marina. The building served as the yacht sales office and showroom.
Photo 1: Former Ford Pavilion being reconstructed as Surf & Sand Marina, April 1963 (EHM 134.37)
Photo 2: Surf & Sand Marina, formerly Ford Pavilion Dome at World’s Fair, 1963-1973 (EHM 134.36)
Photo 3: Remains of the World’s Fair Dome seen at Edmonds beach south of the ferry dock, May 29, 1970 (EHM 134.3)
X is for “Exercise”!
X is for “Exercise”! Getting out and getting exercise is important to everyone’s wellbeing! Edmonds residents have no shortage of ways to exercise, even while social distancing. We can go for walks on the beach, hike a trail, run around neighborhoods, and so much more! Let’s get out and get moving Edmonds!
Photo 1: (EHM 103.34 Frances Anderson and friends playing tennis in Edmonds, 1912)
Photo 2: (EHM 103.336 Edmonds Invitational Cross-Country Meet at Edmonds Stadium, September 1969 .)
Y is for “Youth Organizations”!
Youth organizations provide fun and educational activities for the young people of our communities. They are an important part of developing personal and interpersonal skills and can help build self-confidence and self-esteem. Youth organizations in our community have been doing all this and more for many years. We have highlighted just a few groups here.
Photo 1: Edmonds Rainbow Assembly, Edmonds 4th of July Parade winning float, 1936 (EHM 220.107)
Photo 2: 220.263 Girls Scouts Group, c. 1939 (EHM 220.263)
Z is for “Zoo”!
While Edmonds has not had a zoo, many residents would visit the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. They may have also seen and interacted with exotic animals during special event, like the 4th of July Parade. Here we have a few of those captured moments!
Photo 1: (EHM 217.7 Grace (right), Frances (left), and Edward (middle) Fisk in front of the Old Primate House at the Woodland Park Zoo, Summer 1921)
Photo 2: (EHM Man with Llama and young kids petting it, 4th of July Parade, 1977)
Thank you for joining us on our A to Z photograph adventure! We had so much fun sharing our photograph collection with you!
Don’t forget to fill out our COVID-19 History Gather and be a part of history!
Also, if you have items you would like to donate relating to COVID-19, please fill out our Artifact Donation Form here so we can start collecting when it is safe to do so.
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