George N. Moore photographs, circa 1865-1897
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Photographer
- Moore, George N
- Title
- George N. Moore photographs
- Dates
- circa 1865-1897 (inclusive)18651897
- Quantity
- 1 box, (37 photographic prints; sizes vary)
- Collection Number
- PH0281
- Summary
- Portraiture and views of Pacific Northwest scenes mainly circa 1870-1885
- 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
-
Access to the original photographs is restricted for preservation reasons. Contact Special Collections for more information. Most of the collection is digitized and available to view through the UW Libraries digital collections.
- Languages
- Collection materials are in English.
Biographical Note
The Washington Territorial Census, taken in February 1885, has an entry for a photographer named George N. Moore, born in Massachusetts circa 1844. The Pacific Wave, former title of the University of Washington student newspaperThe Daily, contains an advertisement for George N. Moore's studio in Seattle "established 1870." This and other records show that Moore worked as a photographer in Seattle from 1870 to 1897. Seattle business directories show that Moore's studio from 1876-1878 was on Commercial Street. After 1878, until 1884, Moore's studio address is not listed. From 1884-1889, Moore's studio occupied 708 1/2 Front Street, in Sullivan's Block. In 1891, his business address was 17 Shorey Block, until the next year, when directories list his studio at 76 Hinckley Block from 1891-1894. Moore's last known business address in Seattle was at 48 Boston Block from 1895-1897. Moore's advertisements in Seattle publications often use descriptions such as "oldest and best photographer," and he advertises himself as a portrait artist (with crayons and water colors) and as a specialist in creating carte de visite, cabinet, and Victoria card photographs. The portraits taken by Moore indicate a level of prestige for his studio in early Seattle, as he photographed many of the city's most well-known and respected citizens in the pioneer days, including Seattle Post-Intelligencer publisher Charles Prosch, Judge Thomas Burke, and Father Prefontaine.
Content Description
Photographs of Pacific Northwest scenes from the 1870s to 1890s, particularly in Seattle, and studio portraits of noteworthy Seattle individuals and others.
Use of the Collection
Alternative Forms Available
View selections from the collection in digital format.
Restrictions on Use
Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.
Administrative Information
Processing Note
Processed by Elizabeth Russell; completed in 2012.
Related Materials
The Prosch Seattle Views Photograph Albums, PH0027, contains photographs of early Seattle by Moore.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Moore Portrait Gallery
- Description: Moore Photograph Gallery parlor
It is unclear whether this is a Moore photograph parlor in Seattle or in Oakland, as photographer's stamp on verso reads: George Moore's Photograph Parlors. Oakland, Cal. 1161 Broadway 'bet. 13 & 14th.
Dates: undatedContainer: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 1, Item 1
Studio Portraiture
- Description: Judge Thomas Burke
Thomas Burke (1849-1925), a lawyer, came to Seattle in 1875. He was a notable figure in early Seattle, serving as a probate judge from 1876-1880 and as Chief Justice of the Washington Territorial Supreme Court from 1888-1889. Burke steered many Seattle improvement projects to completion and advocated for the welfare of the poor and for Chinese immigrants. The Burke Museum and the Burke-Gilman Trail were named in Thomas Burke's honor.
Dates: circa 1885Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 1, Item 2 - Description: Father William Duncan
Father William Duncan (1832-1918), a lay missionary of the Church of England, was sent by the Church Missionary Society to Fort Simpson, British Columbia to convert the Tsimshian tribe. Conflicts arose between Father Duncan and his superiors in the Church Missionary Society, leading to his desire to separate from church authority. In 1887, he received permission from U.S. President Grover Cleveland to set up a new community for his Tsimshian converts at New Metlakatla on Annette Island, Alaska. Duncan remains a controversial figure in the history of the Tsimshian people.
Dates: circa 1891-1894Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 1, Item 3 - Description: J.M. FiskDates: 1884-1889Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 1, Item 32
- Description: Judge Roger Sherman Greene
Roger Sherman Greene (1840-1930) was Associate Justice on the Washington Territorial Supreme Court from 1870 to 1879. In 1880, Greene was appointed as Chief Justice and served on the Court in that position until March 1887. He unsuccessfully tried for a seat in Congress in 1888 and for the Washington State governorship in 1892, both times running as the Prohibition Party candidate.
Dates: circa 1895-1897Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 1, Item 4 - Description: Richard Asbury JonesDates: circa 1884-1889Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 1, Item 5
- Description: Father Francis Xavier Prefontaine
Father Prefontaine (1838-1909), a French Canadian Catholic priest, arrived in Seattle in 1867. Prefontaine founded Seattle's first Catholic church, Our Lady of Good Help, on the corner of 3rd Avenue and Washington Street, which was dedicated in 1870.
Dates: circa 1875-1884Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 2, Item 6 - Description: Charles Prosch
Charles Prosch was a printer and newspaper publisher who arrived in the Pacific Northwest in 1855.
Dates: circa 1891-1894Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 2, Item 7 - Description: James Scott
Written on verso: James Scott, of Coupeville, attended the the university in 1872. Found dead in bed.
Photograph probably collected by Edmond Meany.
Dates: undatedContainer: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 2, Item 8 - Description: Marie Tristi
Inscription in French on verso from Marie Tristi to Caroline Burke (wife of Thomas Burke), dated October 1895.
Dates: circa 1891-1895Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 2, Item 9 - Description: S.C. Woodruff, costumed for theatrical roleDates: undatedContainer: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 2, Item 10
- Description: Ernest Elwood Wyman
Probably a photograph of Ernest Elwood Wyman, born in 1858 in Skowhegan, Maine. Wyman moved to King County, Washington Territory, and married his first wife, Lulu Nevada Hall, in 1888. Working as a salmon canner, Wyman primarily lived in Washington and Alaska. Wyman died of typhoid in 1919 after joining the crew of the French Auxiliary Schooner Capitaine de Beauchamp. He is buried in Bella Vista Cemetery in Peru.
Dates: 1884-1895Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 2, Item 33 - Description: Studio portrait of small dogDates: circa 1884-1889Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 2, Item 11
- Description: Young womanDates: 1885Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 2, Item 12
Pacific Northwest Views
Seattle
- Description: Moore copy of E.M. Sammis 1870 photograph of Commercial Street, now First Avenue, looking north
Written on photograph: Copyright 1881 G. N. Moore.
Handwritten on mount: Commercial St. looking north. 1870.
Dates: 1881Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 3, Item 13a - Description: Copy print of E.M. Sammis 1870 photograph of Commercial Street
It is unclear whether this copy print was made from a Moore copy of the Sammis photograph.
Dates: undatedContainer: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 3, Item 13b - Description: North side of Mill St. (now Yesler Way), west of First Ave.
This image is also in PH Coll 27, Prosch Seattle Views Photograph Albums, vol. 2, p. 15. Image is marked with arrow and numbering.
Dates: 1871Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 3, Item 14 - Description: Group of men in front of saloon on Yesler's Wharf, next to totem pole
Handwritten on mount: On Yesler's Wharf - 1872.
Verso is not stamped as are the other Moore stereoview cards.
Dates: 1872Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 3, Item 15 - Dates: 1873Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 3, Item 16
- Description: Driving first pile for Seattle and Walla Walla Railroad
Stamped on verso: Puget Sound Photographic Gallery, G. Moore, Artist.
The Seattle and Walla Walla Railroad route started at Steele's Landing on the Duwamish River and extended to Newcastle. As its name suggests, the railroad was intended to transport farm products from Walla Walla to Seattle; however, the railroad company did not succeed in completing the line. The railroad was in fact used to carry coal from Newcastle to Seattle. In 1881, the railroad was purchased by Henry Villard and renamed the Columbia and Puget Sound Railroad.
Dates: May 4, 1874Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 3, Item 17 - Description: Judge John J. McGilvra residence, "Laurel Shade," in Madison Park
Stamped on verso: Puget Sound Photographic Gallery, G. Moore, Artist.
"Peiser" is also stamped on verso.
Judge McGilvra was Seattle's first land developer. During the 1860s, he bought 420 acres of land in what came to be known as the Madison Park neighborhood. McGilvra's house was the only house there until 1880, when he sold land for construction of cottages.
Dates: 1874Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 3, Item 18 - Description: View of Front Street from Spring Street
Stamped on verso: Puget Sound Photographic Gallery, G. Moore, Artist.
This photograph was later copied by Theodore Peiser.
Dates: 1874Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 4, Item 19a - Description: View of Front Street from Spring Street
Copy print of stereograph in item 19a, containing the complete image from the right side and the partial image from the left side.
Dates: undatedContainer: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 4, Item 19b - Description: View of Seattle from the water
Stamped on verso: Puget Sound Photographic Gallery, G. Moore, Artist.
Dates: circa 1874Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 4, Item 20 - Description: Looking north along Commercial Street, now First Avenue
Stamped on verso: Puget Sound Photographic Gallery, G. Moore, Artist.
Photograph later copied by Theodore Peiser.
Dates: circa 1874Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 4, Item 21 - Description: Looking up Commercial Street from New England Hotel
Stamped on verso: Puget Sound Photographic Gallery, G. Moore, Artist.
Photograph later copied by Theodore Peiser.
Dates: circa 1874Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 4, Item 22a - Description: Looking up Commercial Street from New England Hotel
Right hand image from item 22a stereograph. Copy print of Asahel Curtis 28830 (the Curtis photo was made from the Moore stereograph).
Dates: circa 1874Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 4, Item 22b - Description: Seattle Post-Intelligencer building on Front Street
Stamped on verso: Puget Sound Photographic Gallery, G. Moore, Artist.
Dates: circa 1875Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 4, Item 23 - Description: First AvenueDates: circa 1875Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 5, Item 24
- Description: Washington Territorial University
Stamped on verso: Moore, "The" Photographer, Sullivan's Block, Front St., Seattle.
Note on verso: U. of Wash. when Dr. A.J. Anderson was Pres.
Dates: circa 1880Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 5, Item 25a - Description: Washington Territorial University
Stamped on verso: Moore, "The" Photographer, Sullivan's Block, Front St., Seattle.
Same view as item 25a, but slightly enlarged. Print is partially torn across center.
Dates: circa 1880Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 5, Item 25b - Dates: circa 1881Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 5, Item 26
- Description: Illustration of engraving of the Post Building
Engraving possibly made from Moore photograph. Engraver's identity unknown. Appears to be page torn out of a book.
Dates: circa 1881Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 5, Item 27 - Description: Seattle with Mount Rainier in the background
Handwritten on mount: Mt. Rainier 90 miles distant. Height 14,444 ft. Snow covered year round.
Stamped on verso: Moore, the Leading Photographer. Sullivan's Block, Front Street, Seattle, W.T.
Dates: circa 1884-1889Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 6, Item 28 - Description: Front St. looking north from James Street
Handwritten on mount: Front St., Seattle, W.T. May 1887.
Stamped on verso: Moore, the Leading Photographer. Sullivan's Block, Front Street, Seattle, W.T.
Dates: May 1887Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 6, Item 29
- Description: Wooden house surrounded by cleared land
Stamped on verso: Puget Sound Photographic Gallery, G. Moore, Artist.
Dates: circa 1870sContainer: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 7, Item 30 - Description: The Gorge, Victoria, B.C.Dates: circa 1891-1894Container: Box PH0281 Box 1, Folder 7, Item 31
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
Geographical Names
- Northwest, Pacific --Photographs
- Seattle (Wash.) --Photographs
Form or Genre Terms
- Cabinet photographs
- Carte de visite photographs
- Photographic prints
Other Creators
Personal Names
- Moore, George N (photographer)
