Romans Photographic Company Photographs, 1900-1912
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Photographer
- Romans, William P
- Title
- Romans Photographic Company Photographs
- Dates
- 1900-1912 (inclusive)19001912
- Quantity
- 0.37 cubic feet, (1 box containing 40 photographic prints)
- Collection Number
- PH0592
- Summary
- Photographs by a Seattle photography studio documenting buildings, ships, and people at the beginning of the 20th century
- 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
-
No restrictions on access.
- Languages
- Collection materials are in English.
- Sponsor
- Funding for encoding this finding aid was partially provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Historical Note
William P. Romans (1870-1954) was the proprietor and manager of Romans Photographic Company, a commercial photography studio based in Seattle, Washington at the turn of the 20th century. The studio was located at 52 Union Block from 1900 until 1905, when it was relocated to 625-627 Colman Building. Asahel Curtis (1874-1941), brother of Edward Curtis, worked for Romans Photographic Co. from 1907-1911, eventually becoming president and manager of the franchise. The copyright for many photographs from this period is credited to both Curtis and Romans, though the photographs in this collection are mainly attributed to Romans and the studio itself. In 1920, Romans Photographic Company became the Asahel Curtis Photo Co., and the studio operated under this name until Curtis's death in 1941.
Content Description
The photographs in this collection were taken by Romans Photographic Company. Subjects include UW Campus Days from 1904 and 1905; ships and dockside conveyor belts, including the S.S. Athenian and the battleship Nebraska; early Seattle views of downtown and what is now the University District, circa 1902, 1907; the Perry Hotel and Hotel Washington; and construction of the Alaska building at the southwest corner of 2nd Avenue and Cherry Street in 1903 and 1904, Seattle's first steel-framed skyscraper.
Use of the Collection
Alternative Forms Available
Portions of this collection are available as part of the Library's digital collection. View the digital version of the collection.
Restrictions on Use
Status of creator's copyrights is unknown; restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Users are responsible for researching copyright status before use.
Administrative Information
Arrangement
Arranged in 5 series:
- Series 1, Seattle Street Views
- Series 2, Alaska Building Construction
- Series 3, Hotels
- Series 4, Ships and Dockyards
- Series 5, University of Washington Campus Day
Custodial History
Photographs of the Alaska building were transferred from the Seattle photographs file, 2004. Photographs of the Perry Hotel were transferred from D-ICDB12546, 2026. Photographs of Seattle street views, ships, and UW Campus Day were transferred from the Early Photographers Collection (PH0334), 2026.
Acquisition Information
Photographs of the Alaska building construction were a gift of Robert Dunn, 1989.
Processing Note
Processed by Jill M. Dalager, 2004; 27 photographs added by Grace Landers, 2026.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Seattle Street Views
- Description: Street view of people, horse drawn carts, and trolleys in front of the Alaska Building construction site on 2nd Avenue North of Cherry St., Seattle, Washington
Written on verso: 2nd Ave. north from Cherry, ca. 1902
Dates: 1903Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 1 - Description: Street view of trolley at intersection of 2nd Avenue looking North from Yesler Way, Seattle, WashingtonDates: 1903Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 1
- Description: Street view of people, horse carriages, and trolley on 1st Ave. north from University St., Seattle, Washington
The Arcade Building, built from 1901-1903, is visible on the left. The building occupied all of the 2nd Avenue westside street frontage between Union Street and Seneca Street and was a major downtown Seattle office and retail space in the first half of the 20th century.
Dates: 1903Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 1 - Dates: 1903Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 1
- Dates: 1903Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 1
- Description: 1st Avenue from Seneca Street, Seattle, WashingtonDates: 1902-1903Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 1
- Description: Horses lined up with their drivers on Columbus Ave E. (now University Way) and 42nd, Seattle, Washington
Written on verso: Wm Stanley + Co. car load of horses from Oregon 1906
From accompanying material: City of Brooklyn 1907 [in Seattle, Washington] My father John Luther Stanley on Snowball, white horse on right. Main Street - Columbus Ave and E 42 (next one west, Brooklyn Av). City of Brooklyn now University District. Columbus Av changed to University Way.
Dates: 1906-1907Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 1
Alaska Building Construction
Other Descriptive Information
After the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, Seattle's tallest building and first steel-framed skyscraper was constructed. The Alaska Building, built from 1903 to 1904 at the southeast corner of 2nd Avenue and Cherry Street, rose fourteen stories high. Eames & Young, a St. Louis architectural firm, with assistance from Seattle architects Saunders & Lawton, designed the building. The Alaska Building remained the tallest building in Seattle until the eighteen-story Hoge Building (located at 705 2nd Avenue) was completed in 1911.
- Dates: May 23, 1904Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 2
- Dates: June 7, 1904Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 2
- Dates: June 14, 1904Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 2
- Description: Construction workers laying boards on first floorDates: June 21, 1904Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 2
- Dates: June 28, 1904Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 2
- Description: Steel beam frame construction up to sixth floorDates: July 19, 1904Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 2
- Description: Steel beam frame construction up to eighth floorDates: July 26, 1904Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 2
- Description: Steel beam frame construction up to eleventh floorDates: Aug. 2, 1904Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 3
- Description: Decorative brick and concrete facade on first floorDates: Aug. 9, 1904Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 3
- Dates: Aug. 15, 1904Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 3
- Description: Steel beam construction up to fifteenth floor, decorative brick and concrete work up to second floorDates: Aug. 17, 1904Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 3
- Description: Steel beam construction up to fifteenth floor, decorative brick and concrete work up to sixth floorDates: Aug. 29, 1904Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 3
- Description: Exterior brick walls with wooden scaffoldingDates: Sept. 5, 1904Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 3
Hotels
- Description: Hotel Washington decorated with lights at night for Theodore Roosevelt's visit to Seattle
Caption on image: The Washington as illuminated during the stay of the president at this magnificent hostelry.
Dates: 1903Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 4 - Description: Front entrance of the Perry Hotel, Seattle, WashingtonDates: 1907-1912Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 4
- Description: Street view of the Perry Hotel, Seattle, WashingtonDates: 1907-1912Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 4
- Description: Guest lounge with greenery at the Perry Hotel with a young boy in the background, Seattle, WashingtonDates: 1907-1912Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 4
- Description: Guest lounge at the Perry Hotel, Seattle, WashingtonDates: 1907-1912Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 4
- Description: Room lined with desks at the Perry Hotel, Seattle, WashingtonDates: 1907-1912Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 4
- Description: Interior lounge at the Perry Hotel, Seattle, WashingtonDates: 1907-1912Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 4
Ships and Dockyards
- Description: Transport ship Athenian, probably near Seattle, Washington
Caption on photograph: Transport Athenean [sic] leaving for Nome & St. Micheal [sic], June 5, 1900. No. 266 by Romans, Seattle, WA.
Written on verso: Construction crew en route to build Fort Davis, Alaska (Nome)
The Athenian was built in 1881 by Aitkin & Mansel in Glasgow. From 1897 until 1904 the Athenian ran Pacific Coast service for the Canadian Pacific Company during the Klondike Gold Rush. Fort Davis was a U.S. Army post established in Nome, Alaska in 1900. Previously, the fort in St. Michael, build in 1897, was the main military post in the area.
Dates: 1900Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 5 - Description: Passengers on the Athenian, probably near Seattle, Washington
Caption on image: No. 264 by Romans. Employees Q.M. Dept. U.S.A. for Nome & St. Michael onboard S.S. Athenean [sic], June 5, 1900, Seattle, WA.
Dates: 1900Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 5 - Description: U.S. Battleship Nebraska off Vashon Island, Washington
Collection includes three iterations of this photograph.
Copy 1: Caption on mount: U.S. Battleship Nebraska on official trial, July 16, 1906, making 19.518 knots. Built by Moran Bros. Company, Seattle, Wash.
On verso: A letter from Robert Moran to Asahel Curtis inquiring about sending a copy to the Seattle Times for its photogravere section, dated October 31, 1935.
Copy 2: Circular photograph, 2.75 inches in diameter. Caption on photograph: Trial Trip U.S.S. Nebraska. Made in Seattle
Copy 3: Photograph on a black mounting board. Caption on photograph: No. 7390A Copyright 1906 by W.P. Romans
Copy negative exists: Curtis 7390A.
Dates: 1906Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 5 - Description: U.S. Battleship Nebraska off Vashon Island, Washington
Scrapes and damage with surface loss along the left side of the photograph and mount. The damage does not impact the center of the photograph or obscure the ship.
Dates: 1906Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 5 - Description: Dock with conveyor belts by W.L. McCabe, Seattle, WashingtonDates: 1900-1910Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 5
University of Washington Campus Day
Other Descriptive Information
Campus Day was an annual event at the University of Washington from 1904 to 1934. Students and faculty worked together to clear land and improve the campus, with a break for a communal meal.
- Description: People with shovels and axes on steps of Denny Hall for Campus Day, University of WashingtonDates: 1904-1905Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 6
- Description: People with shovels and axes on steps of Denny Hall for Campus Day, University of Washington
Campus Days were held annually on the University of Washington campus from 1904 until 1934. The year 1904 is handwritten on the verso of this photograph, though one of the students is wearing a hat which reads "05." The photograph was probably taken at the 1904 or 1905 Campus Day.
Dates: 1904-1905Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 6 - Description: University of Washington students at lunch outside Denny Hall, Campus Day, University of Washington, Seattle
Probably taken during the 1904 or 1905 Campus Days. Written on verso: 1904
Dates: 1904-1905Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 6 - Description: University of Washington students clearing plants during Campus Day, University of Washington, Seattle
Probably taken during the 1904 or 1905 Campus Days. Written on verso: 1904?
Dates: 1904-1905Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 6 - Description: University of Washington students clearing plants during Campus Day with Denny Hall in the background, University of Washington, Seattle
Probably taken during the 1904 or 1905 Campus Days. Written on verso: 1904
Dates: 1904-1905Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 6 - Description: Women seated on the steps of Clark Hall for Campus Day, University of Washington, SeattleDates: 1904-1905Container: Box PH0592 Box 1, Folder 6
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Historic buildings--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
Geographical Names
- Seattle
