Theodore E. Peiser photographs, approximately 1874-1905

Overview of the Collection

Photographer
Peiser, Theodore E.
Title
Theodore E. Peiser photographs
Dates
approximately 1874-1905 (inclusive)
Quantity
236 photographic prints (2 boxes plus 1 oversize folder) ; various sizes
Collection Number
PH0282
Summary
Photographs of Seattle between the 1800s-1900s, heavily featuring Seattle street scenes, important monuments and buildings, events in Seattle, portraits of various people, faculty, students, and buildings of the Territorial University of Washington and University of Washington, and Fort Lawton during the China Relief Expedition. The collection also includes photographs of the Olympic Peninsula, featuring Port Gamble and Port Ludlow, as well as the Snoqualmie region, featuring hop fields and Snoqualmie Falls
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

Permission of Visual Materials Curator is required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.

Request at UW

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Theodore E. Peiser, known as one of the first professional photographers in the Seattle area, was born in California in 1853 and moved to Washington in 1883, becoming an active photographer from 1883 to circa 1907 when he became too ill to continue working. One of the first photographers to capture early scenes of Seattle streets and early communities, his original photography studio on 2nd Avenue was destroyed in the Great Seattle Fire of June, 1889, along with the vast majority of his photographs and negatives. He subsequently moved his photography studio to a number of different locations in the city: 1516 1/2 Front Street (1894), 2010 Western Avenue (1901), 2406 1/2 6th Avenue (1905), and 415 Eitel Building (1906). On March 10, 1907, The Seattle Daily Times included a column detailing Peiser's deteriorating health - suffering from bronhitis and asthma, he moved back to California per doctor's orders to move to a different climate. He died in California on February 11, 1922.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The bulk of the collection contains photographs of Seattle between the 1800s-1900s, heavily featuring Seattle street scenes, important monuments and buildings, events in Seattle, portraits of various people, faculty, students, and buildings of the Territorial University of Washington and University of Washington, and Fort Lawton during the China Relief Expedition. The collection also includes photographs of the Olympic Peninsula, featuring Port Gamble and Port Ludlow, as well as the Snoqualmie region, featuring hop fields and Snoqualmie Falls.

The largest series contains photos of Fort Lawton, Seattle, during the China Relief Expedition which was an international coalition composed of eight countries (known as the Eight-Nation Alliance) in an effort to rescue United States citizens and European nationals from the later years of the Chinese Boxer Rebellion. The expedition lasted from 1898 to 1901 and the United States contributed troops in 1900-1901. "The Hiker" monument in Woodland Park, Seattle, is dedicated to soldiers who fought in various wars, including the China Relief Expedition. For more on Fort Lawton, see Magnolia Historical Society (http://www.magnoliahistoricalsociety.org/blog/2012/06/snapshot-in-time-summing-up-fort-lawton/).

The University of Washington was formerly known as the Territorial University of Washington and was located where the Olympic Hotel currently stands on University Street, Seattle. The university was moved to the new campus and became the University of Washington in the 1890s. For more information on each campus, see UW Special Collections history of the the university (http://www.lib.washington.edu/specialcollections/collections/exhibits/site/early).

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

View 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 InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Donor: Ames Collection (items 16a, 17-18, 20-22, 24, 26b, 43a, 55, 101-104, 114, 116, 210, 211, 215, 217)

Donor: C. Bagley Estate (items 1-6, 9a-10b, 11-15, 28, 213-214, 216)

Donor: C.T. Conover Collection (items 51, 54, 57, 60, 90a, 112)

Donor: Eastern Washington State Historical Society, 1986 (items 23, 26a)

Donor: Edmond S. Meany (items 32, 34, 36a, 37a, 38a, 40-41, 42b, 62-67, 68-74, 76-78, 81, 119-127)

Donor: Leary Collection (items 39, 128)

Donor: Lee Collection (item 50)

Donor: Marshall P. McDonald, July 27, 1959 (items 108a-108b, 109-111)

Donor: Mrs. Edwin Dow, 1945 (item 97)

Purchase from R.G. Mattilor (item 87)

Donor: S.L. Crawford Collection (items 59, 118a-118b, 207b, 209)

Donor: T.W. Prosch Collection (item 144)

Donor: WSU Library, April, 1978 (item 132)

Processing Note

Processed by Michelle A. Shannon, June 2018

Separated Materials

Peiser photo 10045 was transferred to PH Coll. 1022 Mrs. Elmer Lenfest Photograph Collection.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Olympic PeninsulaReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Port Ludlow
Box/Folder item
1/1 1 October, 1889
1/1 2 October, 1889
1/1 3 October 14, 1889
1/1 4 October, 1889
1/1 5 October, 1889
1/2 6 1889
box:oversize
KVXC1 7 October, 1889?
KVXC1 8 October, 1889
Box/Folder
1/2 9a
Entryway of Admiralty Hall, Port Ludlow
Written on verso: Staircase in Main Hall of Admiralty Hall Port Ludlow. Mary E. Dulton.
October, 1889?
1/2 9b
Entryway of Admiralty Hall, Port Ludlow
Written on verso: Mrs. Ira Pierce.
October, 1889
1/2 10a
Dining hall of Admiralty Hall, Port Ludlow
Written on verso: Dining Room, Admiralty Hall. Mary E. Dulton.
October, 1889?
1/2 10b
Dining hall of Admiralty Hall, Port Ludlow
Written on verso: Admiralty Hall Dining (Room) Port Ludlow Oct. 1889 Mrs. Ira Pierce.
October, 1889
1/3 11
Parlor room of Admiralty Hall, Port Ludlow
Written on verso: Parlor Admiralty Hall. Mary E. Dulton.
1889?
1/3 12 1889?
1/3 13
Harbor and residences, Port Ludlow (Peiser 2)
Written on verso: To be admired Mrs. C. Walker Port Ludlow Washington.
October, 1889
1/3 14 1889?
1/3 15 October, 1889
Port Gamble
Box/Folder item
1/4 16a - 16b September, 1889
1/4 17 1889?
1/4 18 1889?
1/4 19 October, 1889
1/5 20 1889?
1/5 21
William Walker house, Port Gamble
William Walker and family with Chinese cook standing outside house.
1889?
1/5 22-23 1889?
1/5 24 September, 1889
1/6 25 1890?
1/6 26a - 26b September, 1889
1/6 27 1890?
Box/Folder item
1/6 28 between 1880 and 1890?
1/7 29 between 1880 and 1890?
1/7 30-31
Union City and Hood Canal
Item 30 is Peiser 2; Item 31 is Peiser 3.
between 1880 and 1890?
Container(s) Description Dates
University of Washington
Territorial University of Washington
Box/Folder item
1/7 32 1883
1/7 33 1883
1/7 34 1883?
1/8 35 1883
1/8 36a - 36b 1883
1/8 37a - 37b 1883
1/8 38a - 38b
Students in a zoology class at Territorial University of Washington standing outside (Peiser 189)
Identified individuals left to right: John Hayden, Charles V. Piper, J.E. Chilberg, E.S. Meany, Colinta Cabansky, Elisha P. Alvord, Agnes Green, Nate McNat, John B. Dewey, Hessie E. Cox, Mat H. Gormley, Iva Jones, Professor O.B. Johnson.
1883
1/9 39 1883
1/9 40
Student in Livy class at Territorial University of Washington standing outside
Written on photo: Livy class (all but Hol) 1883 Miss Hansee
1883
1/9 41
Members of the Legislation Committee visiting Territorial University of Washington
President Powell and names of remaining individuals illegibily written on photo.
1883
1/9 42a - 42b
Faculty members at Territorial University of Washington standing on the steps of a building (Peiser 184)
Names of individuals from left to right: J.M. Ripley (charge of Boarding Hall), Professor Swimm, Miss Mattie L. Hansee, President Powell, Dr. Johnson, Professor Bradley, Professor O. "Bug" Johnson or Professor O.B. Johnson.
1883
1/9 43a - 43b 1883?
1/10 44
Native Americans standing around a barbeque
Written on photo: Indians barbeque on University grounds, railroad jubilee, September, 1883.
September 8, 1883
University of Washington
Box/Folder item
1/10 45 May 1, 1901
1/10 46
Players of the University of Washington football team sitting in uniform on the steps of a building
Names of individuals from left to right: 2nd row (2) Alfred Strause, (3) Fred McElmon, (6) Duncan Reese, (7) Edgar J,. Wright. 3rd row (3) last name Hill, (5) Robert [Norton?], (6) Howard Cosgrove. Front row (4) Kenneth [McPherson?].
November 27, 1900
1/10 47
University of Washington football team playing a game against Agricultural College for state championship
Written on photo: University of Washington vs Agricultural College for state championship Thursday Nov. 29th 1900.
Thursday, November 29, 1900
1/10 48
University of Washington football team playing a game against Agricultural College for state championship
Written on photo: University of Washington vs. Agricultural College Nov. 29th 1900. A scrimmage.
November 29, 1900
1/10 49
University of Washington football team playing a game against Agricultural College for state championship
Written on photo: University of Washington vs. Agricultural College Nov. 29th 1900. U of W touchdown.
November 29, 1900
Box/Folder item
1/11 50 1883
1/11 51
Theo E. Peiser's Art Studio on 2nd Ave and Marion Street, Seattle (Peiser 86)
Written on photo: The Pioneer of Second Avenue.Peiser's photography studio. Photo includes tent that may have been used as a mobile dark room.
1884
1/11 52 January 10, 1880
1/11 53
Number not used
1/11 54
Number not used
1/12 55 1884?
1/12 56 1884-1885
1/12 57
The first street car of the Seattle Street Railway Company, Seattle (Peiser 6)
Written on verso: S.L. Crawford standing in front of street car
between 1880 and 1890?
1/12 58
Crowd gathered outside Hotel Savoy and Kennedy Drug Store on 1st Ave & Cherry Street, Seattle (Peiser 345)
Written on photo: Unveiling Block House Fort Tablet. Address by Hon., C.H. Hanford.A man appears to be speaking to the crowd.
November 13, 1905
1/12 59 1900
1/13 60 July 4, 1888
1/13 61 April 30, 1905
1/13 62-63
Marker of Seattle monument remembering the Indian War of 1855
Item 62 is Peiser 344; Item 63 is Peiser 343.
between 1880 and 1905?
1/13 64 between 1880 and 1905?
1/13 65 between 1880 and 1905?
1/13 66 between 1880 and 1905?
1/13 67 between 1880 and 1905?
1/14 68 November 13, 1905
1/14 69-70
Crowd gathered for unveiling of monument at Alki Point, the landing place of the first settlers
Written on photos: Monument of Alki Point, Senator Sam. H. Piles' address.Item 69 is Peiser 350; Item 70 is Peiser 349.
November 13, 1905
1/14 71
Crowd gathered for unveiling of monument at Alki Point, the landing place of the first settlers (Peiser 348)
Written on photo: Monument at Alki Point. Sen., Sam. H. Piles' address.
November 13, 1905
1/14 72 November 13, 1905?
1/14 73 November 13, 1905?
1/14 74
Crowd gathered for unveiling of monument at Alki Point, the landing place of the first settlers (Peiser 347)
Written on photo: Monument at Alki Point. Prof., E.S. Meany's address.
November 13, 1905
1/14 75-76 November 13, 1905?
1/14 77 November 13, 1905?
1/14 78-79
First settlers of Alki Point standing around monument dedicated to them (Peiser 353)
Written on photo: Survivors of First Landed Settlers.Names of individuals from left to right: Lenora Denny, Carson D. Boren, Mary A. Denny, Rolland H. Denny, Mary Low Sinclair.
November 13, 1905
1/14 80
First settlers of Alki Point standing around monument dedicated to them (Peiser 355)
Written on photo: Monument from the west.Names of individuals from left to right: Mary A. Denny, Rolland H. Denny, Lenora Denny.
November 13, 1905
1/14 81 November 13, 1905
1/14 82 November 13, 1905
1/15 83
Yesler-Leary building, Seattle (Peiser 8)
Yesler-Leary building was designed by architects William E. Boone and George C. Meeker.
between 1880 and 1890?
1/15 84 between 1880 and 1890?
1/15 85 between 1880 and 1890?
1/15 86 between 1880 and 1890?
1/15 87 1884
1/16 88 between 1880 and 1890?
1/16 89 between 1880 and 1890?
1/16 90a - 90b
Original Yesler Home on the corner of Front Street & James Street with Mr. Henry L. Yesler & wife standing outside, Seattle (Peiser 242 & Peiser 243)
Front Street has since been renamed 1st Ave.Written on photo: The Old Yesler Home [?] Front and Jefferson Sts.
July 4, 1883
1/16 91 July 4, 1883
2/1 92
McGilvra house (Peiser 252)
Written verso: The McGilvra homestead on the west shore Lake Washington
August 2, 1900
2/1 93 September 13, 1900
2/1 94 August 2, 1900
2/1 95 1900?
2/1 96 August 2, 1900
2/1 97 July 4, 1905
2/1 98
Construction site Fremont area, Seattle
Written on photo: The beginning of Fremont, King Co Wn Ty, in May, 1888.This is a copy of an original photograph by D.R. Judkins.
May, 1888
2/1 99 1874?
2/1 100 between 1880 and 1900?
2/2 101 1887?
2/2 102 1884?
2/2 103-104
View of houses and south Lake Union, Seattle
Photo incorrectly identified as Utsalady.
1885?
2/2 105 between 1880 and 1890?
2/2 106 between 1880 and 1890?
2/3 107 between 1880 and 1900?
2/3 108a - 108b
Green Lake from Woodland Park (Peiser 621)
Written on photo: Warner & Randolph [artist name is written over in pen].Written on verso: Green Lake from Woodland Park showing corner of Wells yard on right to about Home [?] on left. (1) Corner of Wells yard (2) Gravel pit (3) Dr. Killowrne's home.
December 1, 1891
2/3 109-110
Western Mill, South Lake Union
Item 109 is Peiser 69. Item 110 is Peiser 68.
between 1885-1888?
2/3 111
Sawmill and W.D. Wood house, Green Lake, Seattle (Peiser 67)
Written on photo: Saw mill on site of Green Lake Field House.Written on verso: Green Lake Station.
1890
2/3 112
Seattle from Denny Hill (Peiser 44)
Written on photo: Seattle from site of Hotel Washington 1882.
1882
2/3 113
Photo of a drawing of the Seattle waterfront (Peiser 87)
Written on verso: Seattle in the seventies.
between 1880 and 1890?
2/4 114 1884?
2/4 115 1883
2/4 116 1884?
2/4 117 1870?
2/4 118a - 118b 1893
Container(s) Description Dates
Portraits
Box/Folder item
2/5 119 between 1880 and 1889?
2/5 120 between 1880 and 1889?
2/5 121
Portrait of Anna Christopher
Written on verso: Compliments of Anna L. Christopher.
between 1880 and 1889?
2/5 122 between 1880 and 1889?
2/5 123 between 1880 and 1889?
2/6 124 between 1880 and 1889?
2/6 125 between 1880 and 1889?
2/6 126 between 1880 and 1889?
2/6 127 between 1880 and 1889?
2/6 128 April 26, 1886
2/7 129 between 1880 and 1889?
2/7 130 between 1880 and 1889?
2/7 131 between 1880 and 1900?
2/7 132 between 1880 and 1889?
2/8 133-134 between 1880 and 1889?
Box/Folder item
2/8 135
Men and children on top of a large tree stump (Peiser 6)
Written on photo: Puget Sound Cedar Stump.
between 1880 and 1889?
2/8 136
The Randolphs on the front porch of a house
Written on back of photo: "Rosedale," June 16, 1888. Captain and Mrs. S.P. Randolph, Edith Randolph.
June 16, 1888
2/8 137 between 1890 and 1900?
2/8 138
Men sitting around a long banquet table with American flags hanging above them
Written on verso: Josiah Collins [illegible] know these.
June 6, 1905
2/9 139 November 13, 1905
2/9 140 November 13, 1905
2/9 141
Group of soldiers standing together outside
Written on verso: C.D. N.G.W. [Company D, National Guard of Washington]. Muster out Friday July 19th 1886. After six days service under martial laws, during Chinese riots at Seattle, Washington Territory.
1886
2/9 142
Group of men from the Seattle Base Ball Club
From left to right, baseball position played and last name: first baseman Bagley, center field Booth, short stop Stevens, left field Thornell, right field Kenney, center Burwell, second baseman Jacobs, third baseman Burnell, pitcher Dickey.Written on verso: Will L. Lindsley 222 West Lee Street Letter Carrier No. 5 Seattle.
1886
2/9 143 June 22, 1906
2/9 144 June 21, 1905

Fort Lawton, Seattle, during China Relief ExpeditionReturn to Top

The China Relief Expedition was an international coalition composed of eight countries (known as the Eight-Nation Alliance) in an effort to rescue United States citizens and European nationals from the later years of the Chinese Boxer Rebellion. The expedition lasted from 1898 to 1901 and the United States contributed troops in 1900-1901. "The Hiker" monument in Woodland Park, Seattle, is dedicated to "the memory of the soldiers, sailors, and marines who gave their lives in defense of our flag in the war with Spain, the Philippine Insurrection, and the China Relief Expedition," referring to the use of Fort Lawton for the China Relief Expedition.

Container(s) Description Dates
Military ships
Box/Folder item
2/10 145-146 July 28, 1900
2/10 147 August 5, 1900
2/10 148-149 August 7, 1900
2/10 150 1900?
2/10 151 1900?
2/10 152 1900?
2/10 153 July 23, 1900
2/10 154 July 22, 1900
2/10 155-156
U.S.A.T. Lawton docked
Item 155 is Peiser 2; Item 156 is Peiser 3.
1900?
2/11 157 1900?
2/11 158-159 July 22, 1900
2/11 160 August 5, 1900
2/11 161 August 7, 1900
2/11 162 August 18, 1900
2/11 163 August 20, 1900
Fort Lawton, North Seattle
Box/Folder item
2/12 164-165
Men sitting horseback, probably Fort Lawton, North Seattle
Item 164 is Peiser 43; Item 165 is dated August 14, 1900.
1900?
2/12 166 August 14, 1900
2/12 167 August 14, 1900
2/12 168-169
Corral Master A.H. Moses sitting horseback, Fort Lawton, North Seattle
Item 168 is Peiser 40; Item 169 is Peiser 39.
August 14, 1900
2/12 170 1900?
2/12 171-172
Man sitting horseback, probably Fort Lawton, North Seattle
Item 171 is Peiser 45; Item 172 is Peiser 41.
1900?
2/12 173 August 14, 1900
2/13 174 1900?
2/13 175
2/13 176
2/13 177 August 14, 1900
2/13 178 August 5, 1900
2/13 179
2/13 180 August 10, 1900
2/13 181 August 10, 1900
2/13 182 August 14, 1900
2/13 183 August 14, 1900
2/14 184 August 14, 1900
2/14 185
African American soldiers in uniform, Fort Lawton, North Seattle (Peiser 23)
Written on photo: Detachment Troop Company 9th Cavalry U.S.A. China Expedition.
August 10, 1900
2/14 186 August 10, 1900
2/14 187
Mules eating, Fort Lawton, North Seattle (Peiser 35)
Written on photo: Picket line of unbroken mules.
August 14, 1900
2/14 188-195
Horse corral, Fort Lawton, North Seattle
Item 188 is Peiser 31; Item 189 is Peiser 30; Item 190 is Peiser 28; Item 195 is Peiser 29.Written on verso of item 176: 5a contrary subject U.S. Gov Corral in Seattle. All of B Train: [?], [?], [?], [?], Clifford.
August 14, 1900
2/15 196-197
Southward view of Fort Lawton, North Seattle
Item 196 is Peiser 17; Item 197 is Peiser 18.
August 10, 1900
2/15 198a - 198b
Men and horses, Fort Lawton, North Seattle (Peiser 7)
Written on photo: "Stables" D Troop 1st Cav. U.S.A.
August 5, 1900
2/15 199-201 August 5, 1900?
2/15 202 September 4, 1905

LandscapesReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
2/16 203 between 1880 and 1889?
2/16 204
Hop field, Snoqualmie
Written on verso: 300 acres.
between 1880 and 1889?
2/16 205
Hop field near Mt. Si with workers standing next to fields
Written on verso: Mt. "Uncle Si" near hop fields.
between 1880 and 1889?
2/16 206 between 1880 and 1889?
2/17 207 - 208 between 1880 and 1889?
2/17 209-210 between 1880 and 1889?
2/17 211-212 1890
Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
2/18 213 between 1880 and 1889?
2/18 214 between 1880 and 1889?
2/18 215 between 1880 and 1889?
2/18 216 September, 1889
2/19 217 between 1880 and 1889?
2/19 218
Ship departing from a harbor
Written on verso: Robert Dollar off for Cape Nome nearly dark when taken.
1900?
2/19 219 April 16, 1900
2/19 220 April 16, 1900
2/19 221 April 16, 1900
2/19 222 1882
2/19 223 between 1880 and 1900?

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Riots--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)

Personal Names

  • Denny, Arthur Armstrong, 1822-1899--Homes and haunts--Photographs
  • Dollar, Robert, 1844-1932--Photographs
  • Yesler, Henry L. (Henry Leiter), 1810-1892--Homes and haunts--Photographs

Corporate Names

  • Territorial University (Wash.)--Photographs
  • University of Washington--Photographs

Geographical Names

  • China--History--Boxer Rebellion, 1899-1901
  • Port Gamble (Wash.)--Photographs
  • Port Ludlow (Wash.)--Photographs
  • Seattle (Wash.)--Photographs--19th century
  • Washington Territory--Photographs--19th century

Other Creators

  • Corporate Names
    • Washington Territory. National Guard--Photographs (photographer)