Archives West Finding Aid
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Olympia Earthquake photograph collection, April 1949
Overview of the Collection
- Title
- Olympia Earthquake photograph collection
- Dates
- April 1949 (inclusive)19491949
- Quantity
- 5 photographic prints (1 folder) ; sizes vary
- Collection Number
- PH0869
- Summary
- Photographs of damage to buildings in Olympia from the 1949 earthquake
- Repository
-
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Entire collection can be viewed on the Libraries’ Digital Collections website. Permission of Visual Materials Curator required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.
- Languages
- English
Historical BackgroundReturn to Top
On April 13, 1949 at 11:55 a.m., a 7.1 magnitude earthquake occurred in Western Washington, centered between Olympia and Tacoma. The effects were felt over a 230,000 square mile area, affecting all of Washington state, northwest Oregon and parts of southwest British Columbia, Idaho and even northwest Montana. The most damage occurred from Seattle to Chehalis. At Olympia, nearly all large buildings were damaged, water and gas mains were broken, and a large portion of a sandy spit jutting into Puget Sound disappeared.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Photographs of damage to buildings in Olympia, Washington in the aftermath of an earthquake.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Alternative Forms Available
View the digital version of the collection
Restrictions on Use
Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
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| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| item | ||
| 1 | Damaged building canopy in downtown Olympia | April 1949 |
| 2 | Damage to cornice of same building as in 1 | April 1949 |
| 3 | Downtown street view showing fallen canopy and rubble in street | April 1949 |
| 4 | Damage to old State Capitol building | April 1949 |
| 5 |
State building being repaired after the earthquake
Written on verso: One of State Bldgs. under repair afterward.
|
April 1949 |
| 6 | Damage to old State Capitol Building | April 1949 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Form or Genre Terms
- Photographs
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
