Clarence and Otto Langstaff Photographs

Clarence and Otto Langstaff Photographs, circa 1900-1920

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Langstaff, Clarence, 1880-1941; ; Langstaff, Otto, 1883-1969
Title: Clarence and Otto Langstaff Photographs
Dates: circa 1900-1920 (inclusive)
18951925
Quantity: 37 negatives (glass and film)
37 modern prints, 1 vintage print
Collection Number: 1993.8 (accession)
Summary: Photographs of early 20th century Seattle scenes, including Seattle parks and recreation, landmark buildings, construction projects including Ballard locks, logging, railroads, streetcars, Pioneer Square celebrations, downtown parades, maritime activities and ships
Repository: Museum of History & Industry, Sophie Frye Bass Library

P.O. Box 80816
Seattle, WA
98108
Telephone: 2063241126 x102
library@mohai.org
Access Restrictions: The collection is open to the public by appointment.
Languages: English.

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

The brothers Clarence and Otto Langstaff, of Seattle, were prolific amateur photographers. Clarence Langstaff (1880-1941) worked as a carpenter and also spent time on Mt. Rainier as a guide. He resided at 4419 32nd Avenue North in Magnolia. Otto Langstaff (1883-1969) worked for fifty years at W.P. Fuller Company as a glazier, and was a member of United Glass Union #188. He served in the Washington National Guard in 1901. He and his wife Bessie had three sons, Russell, Lee and Eugene. They resided at 3205 W. Elmore Street.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection consists of photographs taken by Clarence and Otto Langstaff. Since both were avid amateur photographs who did not often sign their negatives, it is mostly unknown to which brother each image is attributable. The collection depicts a variety of subjects and activities, including Seattle parks and recreation, landmark buildings, construction projects, logging, railroads, streetcars, Pioneer Square celebrations, downtown parades, maritime activities, and ships. The collection includes an exterior view of the Langstaff family home at 3205 W. Elmore Street, and group photographs of the Glaziers Local Union.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

View selections from the collection in digital format here or by clicking on the camera icons in the inventory below.

Restrictions on Use

The Museum of History & Industry is the owner of the materials in the Sophie Frye Bass Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from MOHAI before any reproduction use. The museum does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.

Preferred Citation

Clarence and Otto Langstaff Photographs, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Location of Collection

2a.1.7 (photographic prints)

Location of Collection

4b.6.dr1 (glass negatives)

Location of Collection

32.2 (film negatives)

Acquisition Information

The modern copy photographs in the collection were made from the original glass and film negatives on short-term loan to MOHAI from Russell Langstaff in 1993. In 2015, those original negatives were received in donation from the Russell O. Langstaff estate as part of MOHAI accession 2015.97. The negatives, which had been numbered with 1993.8 item numbers at the time of the loan, were added to this collection in 2016.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Description	Dates
1993.8.1: Standard Furniture Building exterior decorated for Seattle Day, Second and Pine Streets	1909
1993.8.2: Miniature railway ride, Madison Park	circa 1909
1993.8.3: Great Northern Railway Bridge and Government Locks	circa 1915
1993.8.4: Leschi Park, view of Johnston's Launch	circa 1900
1993.8.5: Miniature railway ride, Saschia Park	circa 1900
1993.8.6: Denny Blaine Lake Park train depot	1904 September 1
1993.8.7: Rural streetcar line near Lawton	circa 1908
1993.8.8: Langstaff home with people on front porch, 3205 West Elmore, Seattle	circa 1908
1993.8.9: Radmore Place looking east near Mt. Baker Tunnel	circa 1900
1993.8.10: Hot air balloon over Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition grounds	1909
1993.8.11: Portage Bay and University of Washington	1909
1993.8.12: Military parade formation near the Bon Marche, Second Avenue, Seattle	circa 1910
1993.8.13: Railroad Avenue and Puget Sound Machinery Depot	circa 1910
1993.8.14: Alaska Building, Second Avenue and Cherry Street	1904
1993.8.15: Tent in the woods with young men in front of campfire Sign nailed on tree: "Camp Revasyenom" (Moneysaver)	circa 1900
1993.8.16: Seattle waterfront with tugboat Richard Holyoke and steamer Indiana	circa 1900
1993.8.17: View of Elliott Bay with ships	circa 1900
1993.8.18: US Minnesota at Smith Cove Pier 88	circa1910
1993.8.19: Members of Glaziers Local Union Number 188 in uniform with banner in front of Standard Furniture Co, building	circa 1900
1993.8.20: Amalgamated Glass Workers Local Union 63, group of uniformed men with banner	circa 1900
1993.8.21: Amalgamated Glass Workers Local Union 63, group of uniformed men with banner	circa 1900
1993.8.22: Glaziers Local Union No. 188, group of uniformed men posing with banner	circa 1900
1993.8.23: Fleet Week ships on the water Clarence Langstaff (photographer)	1908
1993.8.24: Fleet Week warships on the water Clarence Langstaff (photographer)	1908
1993.8.25: USS Louisiana, Fleet Week Clarence Langstaff (photographer)	1908
1993.8.26: Ships moored at Pier 90-91	circa 1910
1993.8.27: Fallen tree across road in Woodland Park	circa 1910
1993.8.28: Eight children posing on top of large fallen tree in Woodland Park	circa 1910
1993.8.29: Woodland Park trail with three people	circa 1910
1993.8.30: Bridge over railroad tracks in Woodland Park	1904 September 1
1993.8.31: Logging camp with buildings and steam donkey	circa 1910
1993.8.32: Pioneer Square street scene celebration	circa 1910
1993.8.33: Ballard Locks under construction	1914
1993.8.34: Ballard Locks under construction	1914
1993.8.35: Ballard Locks under construction	1914
1993.8.36: Ballard Locks under construction	1914
1993.8.37: Great Northern Railway Bridge construction	1912
1993.8.38: John Benjamin Russell in his general store, Seaview Avenue, Ballard Grandfather of Russell O. Langstaff	circa 1920

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Buildings--Washington (State)--Seattle
Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (Seattle, Wash.)
Labor unions--Washington (State)--Seattle
Leschi Park (Seattle, Wash.)
Ships-Washington (State)--Seattle
Woodland Park (Seattle, Wash.)

Geographical Names

Seattle (Wash.)

Form or Genre Terms

Photographic prints

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