Frank A. Jacobs Photographs, 1900-1941
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Photographer
- Jacobs, Frank A., 1881-1979
- Title
- Frank A. Jacobs Photographs
- Dates
- 1900-1941 (inclusive)19001941
- Quantity
- 110 photographic prints (3 folders and 1 box) ; sizes vary
- Collection Number
- PH0137
- Summary
- Photographs of Seattle scenes, Seattle groups, grave of a Chinese worker, climbers, mountaineers, and scenery in Mount Rainier National Park, and horseback guiding services, snow maintenance, and work of Robert Hamilton while working for the Rainier National Park Company
- Repository
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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
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Entire collection can be viewed on the Libraries’ Digital Collections website. Permission of Visual Materials Curator is required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- Funding for encoding this finding aid was partially provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Biographical Note
Photojournalist Frank Abner Jacobs (1881-1979) was born in Kansas on December 31, 1881, and settled in Seattle, Washington in 1907. He spent the 1920s as the official photographer for the Rainier National Park Company. Jacobs was a pioneer in the field of photojournalism, and covered events big and small throughout the Pacific Northwest, but specialized in transportation disasters such as ship and train wrecks. Jacobs had been interested in photography since he was a boy and opened his own photography studio at 4th Avenue and Union Street, Seattle, circa 1908. Although he spent most of his career with the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, starting in 1909, he also had stints with other publications, ran his own photography studio (Jacobs Photo Shop), served as an early motion picture cameraman, starting circa 1911, for the Pathe News, and had the opportunity to photograph eight Presidents. He became the first photographer to take aerial photographs of Seattle in 1913.
Content Description
Photographs of various Seattle scenes and groups; the grave of a Chinese worker; climbers, mountaineers, and scenery in Mount Rainier National Park; and horseback guiding services, snow maintenance, and work of Robert Hamilton while working for the Rainier National Park Company.
Other Descriptive Information
The dates in this collection were taken from the photographer's numbering system in which the first two numbers are the year that the photograph was taken.
Content on this site is drawn from a historical source which includes materials that may contain offensive language reflecting racist, sexist, ethnically derogatory or other offensive biases. The images and text in this site are presented as specific, original artifacts recording the attitudes, perspectives and beliefs of a different era. They remain included as part of an honest presentation of that history and of the primary source material. The University of Washington does not endorse the views expressed in this collection which may contain text offensive to some researchers. We are working to confront bias and racism at the individual, institutional and systemic levels. Learn more about diversity and inclusion efforts at the UW.
Use of the Collection
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 Information
Acquisition Information
Donor: Mountaineering images, Gift of Fred Watson; one photograph donated by Brainard, 1991. Rainier National Park 18 photographs donated by Angela Greenberg, 2021. The Robert Hamilton and Frank Jacobs Rainier National Park Company photo album was purchased from Zephyr Books, January 2023.
Processing Note
Processed by Rebekah Dalby, 2002, Kaylynn Guerra, 2019, and Abbey Maynard, 2019.
Detailed Description of the Collection
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Seattle, Washington
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Description: View from 2nd Ave at Pike St. of people, cars, and street car tracks outside the Peoples Savings Bank and Bigelow Buildings
Printed on verso: "Pike, looking east from 2nd Ave."
Dates: between 1920 and 1940Container: Folder 1, Item 1 -
Dates: between 1920 and 1940Container: Folder 1, Item 2
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Description: View looking southeast and down across the roofs of 3rd Ave. and Union St. (Jacobs 715)
Written on verso: "Post Intelligencer block SW corner Union/4th, White Bldg./U.S. Post Office."
Dates: 1917?Container: Folder 1, Item 3 -
Dates: 1920?Container: Folder 1, Item 4
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Description: Postcard of the Theodora Home, 6559-35th N.E.
Written on image: "Owned and operated by The Volunteers of America."
Dates: between 1914 and 1930?Container: Folder 1, Item 5 -
Description: Capitol Auto Laundry and Service Station, 1816 Broadway, Seattle, Washington
Written on verso: "Auto Laundry & service station Stucco up to date Bldg built 1929. Hot water heated. A view of auto and service station store brick Veneer other [ill.]."
Dates: 1929?Container: Folder 1, Item 6 -
Dates: 1906Container: Box:oversize OS1, Item 7
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Description: Interior of John L. Bird Company Office Supplies store, Seattle, WADates: 1916?Container: Box:oversize OS1, Item 8
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Dates: between 1900 and 1930Container: Folder 1, Item 9
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Description: Steamship S.S. Oregon docked with crowd belowDates: 1916?Container: Folder 1, Item 10
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Potlatch Parade, Seattle, WA
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Dates: 1912Container: Folder 1, Item 11
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Description: Float drawn by people dressed as frogs (Jacobs 63)Dates: 1912Container: Folder 1, Item 12
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Dates: 1912Container: Folder 1, Item 13
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People and Groups
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Description: George F. Cotterill holding a newspaper and standing in front buildings, Seattle, WA
George F. Cotterill was a civil servant and elected official in Seattle and the state of Washington for more than 40 years.
Dates: between 1900 and 1930Container: Folder OS1, Item 14 -
Description: Chinese grave in Horse Heaven Hills, Washington
Name on grave marker is in Chinese characters and translates to Yajiu Feng.
Written on verso: "only the grave of a Chinese section hand. He was working on the tracks in Horse Heaven Hills and was bitten by a rattlesnake. His companions were too superstitious to carry his body on the train with them so the burried [sic] him in the sand among the sage brush and put up the board with the chinese inscription to mark the grave. notice the words "Dead Man" on the board. Looks rather lonely even for a dead chink doesn't it?"
Dates: between 1900 and 1925?Container: Folder 1, Item 15 -
Description: Group portrait of the Daughters of the Pioneers of Washington dressed in pioneer costumes, Seattle, WA
Written on verso: "A Day in the Sixties -- February 1937. This annual affair for members and guests in Seattle Chapter No. 1 of the Daughters of the Pioneers of Washington. Margaret Ashworth Maxson (Mrs. Louis H.) was President of the Chapter. In the center, front Mrs. Edmond Bowden was turned sideways to show the sunbonnet which her mother made and wore. Mrs. Bowden (Angie Burt Bowden) wrote: Early Schools of Washington Territory. Note--The photo widened the right-hand third of the group. "
Dates: 1937Container: Folder 1, Item 16 -
Description: Group of young ballet dancers on stage, probably Seattle, WADates: November 1926Container: Folder 1, Item 16a
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Description: Two young ballet dancers on stage, probably Seattle, WADates: November 1926Container: Folder 1, Item 16b
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Description: Large group outside brick buildingDates: between 1900 and 1930Container: Box:oversize XC1, Item 17
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Mountaineering
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Description: Group of climbers with alpenstocks, Mount Rainier National Park, WA (Jacobs 20379)Dates: 1920Container: Folder 1, Item 17a
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Description: Men and women climbing a glacier, Mount Rainier National Park, WA (Jacobs 201006, 201009, and 201012)Dates: 1920Container: Folder 1, Item 18-20
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Description: Group of climbers sitting with alpenstocks on mountainside, Mount Rainier National Park, WA (Jacobs 201007)Dates: 1920Container: Folder 1, Item 21
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Dates: 1920Container: Folder 1, Item 22
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Description: Group of climbers with alpenstocks near the Paradise Inn, Mount Rainier National Park, WA (Jacobs 201011)Dates: 1920Container: Folder 1, Item 23
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Description: Group portrait of men and women with hiking poles in Paradise Valley, WA (Jacobs 21736)
Written on verso: "University party with Dean Landis as guide."
Dates: Aug. 6, 1921Container: Folder 1, Item 24
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Rainier National Park Company Official Photographer
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Description: Mt. Rainier (Jacobs 19304)Dates: 1919Container: Folder 1, Item 25
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Description: Paradise Valley and Inn (Jacobs 19305)Dates: 1919Container: Folder 1, Item 26
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Description: Top of Mt. Rainier (Jacobs 19307 Jacobs 19311)Dates: 1919Container: Folder 1, Item 27-28
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Description: Interior of Paradise Inn (Jacobs 19312)Dates: 1919Container: Folder 1, Item 29
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Description: Narada Falls (Jacobs 19313)Dates: 1919Container: Folder 1, Item 30
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Description: Paradise Valley and Inn (Jacobs 19318)Dates: 1919Container: Folder 1, Item 31
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Description: Mt. Rainier through trees (Jacobs 19319)Dates: 1919Container: Folder 1, Item 32
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Description: Pinnacle Peak and camp buildings (Jacobs 19320)Dates: 1919Container: Folder 1, Item 33
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Description: Paradise Inn (Jacobs 19321)Dates: 1919Container: Folder 1, Item 34
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Description: Road to Paradise Valley (Jacobs 19322)Dates: 1919Container: Folder 1, Item 35
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Description: The gate to Mt. Rainier National Park (Jacobs 19323)Dates: 1919Container: Folder 1, Item 36
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Description: Wild Aster flowers (Jacobs 19324)Dates: 1919Container: Folder 1, Item 37
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Description: Cars in front of Paradise Inn (Jacobs 19325)Dates: 1919Container: Folder 1, Item 38
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Description: Paradise Inn (Jacobs 19326)Dates: 1919Container: Folder 1, Item 39
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Description: Mt. Rainier and trees (Jacobs 19327)Dates: 1919Container: Folder 1, Item 40
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Description: Top of Mt. Rainier (Jacobs 19328)Dates: 1919Container: Folder 1, Item 41
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Description: Sluskin FallsDates: 1919Container: Folder 1, Item 42
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Robert Hamilton and Frank Jacobs Rainier National Park Company photo album, approximately 1920-1941
66 photographs; removed from albumRobert Hamilton was a guide for the Rainier National Park Company while Frank Jacobs was a photographer, documenting guiding services, maintenance, and other work from the 1920s to the Great Depression. The Rainier National Park expanded during the 1920s and during this time it was the first park in the nation to allow automobile touring sites. Park company guides also prepared auto stages, added picnic areas, and conducted popular horseback tours with cowboy guide.
Other Descriptive Information
Purchased from Zephyr Books, January 2023
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Description: Group preparing to climb Mount Rainier from Longmire SpringsDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/1, Item 43
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Description: Woman outside (Jacobs 21193)Dates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/1, Item 44
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Description: Toddler outside on a tricycle with three goatsDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/1, Item 45
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Description: Travelers on an Automobile tour of Mount Rainier National ParkDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/1, Item 46
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Description: Man outdoors at a table in the Mount Rainier National ParkDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/1, Item 47
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Description: Group hiking on Mount RainierDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/1, Item 48
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Description: Travelers outside an Automobile tour of Mount Rainier National ParkDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/1, Item 49
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Description: Woman and child outdoors on Mount RainierWritten on verso: "Robert Hamilton"Dates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/1, Item 50
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Description: Woman and child outside of automobile in the snowDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/1, Item 51
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Description: Woman standing in a lakeDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/1, Item 52
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Description: Man in the snow on Mount RainierDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/1, Item 53
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Description: Group outside of automobile in the snowDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/1, Item 54
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Description: Group on horses preparing to ride Mount Rainier from Longmire Springs (Jacobs 200880)Dates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/1, Item 55
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Description: Group on horses preparing to ride Mount Rainier from Longmire Springs (Jacobs 20657)Dates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/1, Item 56
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Description: Group on horses preparing to ride Mount Rainier from Longmire Springs (Jacobs 19798)Stamped on verso: "Photo by Frank A. Jacobs, official photographer Rainier National Park Co. Longmire Springs, Wash."Dates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/1, Item 57
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Description: Group on horses preparing to ride Mount Rainier from Longmire Springs (Jacobs 201125)Dates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/1, Item 58
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Description: Group on horses preparing to ride Mount Rainier from Longmire Springs (Jacobs 19713)Stamped on verso: "Photo by Frank A. Jacobs, official photographer Rainier National Park Co. Longmire Springs, Wash."Dates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/1, Item 59
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Description: Group on horses preparing to ride Mount Rainier from Longmire Springs (Jacobs 21583)Dates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/1, Item 60
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Description: Group on horses preparing to ride Mount Rainier from Longmire Springs (Jacobs 20664)Stamped on verso: "Photo by Frank A. Jacobs, official photographer Rainier National Park Co. Longmire Springs, Wash."Dates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/1, Item 61
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Description: Group on horses preparing to ride Mount Rainier from Longmire Springs (Jacobs 211302)Dates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/1, Item 62
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Description: Two men with steam shovelDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/2, Item 63
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Description: Koshring steam shovel clearing roads in Mount Rainier National ParkDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/2, Item 64
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Description: Koshring steam shovel clearing roads in Mount Rainier National ParkDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/2, Item 65
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Description: Paradise Lune National Park Service Steam Shovel clearing snowDates: 1932Container: Box/Folder 2/2, Item 66
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Description: Steam Shovel clearing snowDates: 1932Container: Box/Folder 2/2, Item 67
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Description: Miscellaneous construction equipmentDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/2, Item 68
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Description: 6 Men with trucksDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/2, Item 69
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Description: Cabin outdoors in the snowWritten on verso: "Paradise May 1926)Dates: May 1926Container: Box/Folder 2/2, Item 70
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Description: Firewatch TowerDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/2, Item 71
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Description: Miscellaneous city streetDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/2, Item 72
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Description: California State CapitolWritten on verso: "California State Capitol February 1941"Dates: February 1941Container: Box/Folder 2/2, Item 73
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Description: Horses outside a cabinDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/2, Item 74
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Description: Horses outside a cabinDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/2, Item 75
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Description: The Original Cat or Dog Rest Room certified Clean Comfort StationsDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/2, Item 76
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Description: Cabin in the snowDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/2, Item 77
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Description: Cabin surrounded by fallen treesDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/2, Item 78
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Description: Wood structure on pathDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/2, Item 79
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Description: Man amongst fallen treesDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/2, Item 80
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Description: Black bearWritten on verso: "Robert Hamilton"Dates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/2, Item 81
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Description: Landscape view of mountainDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/2, Item 82
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Description: Comet Falls WaterfallWritten on verso: "Comet Falls"Dates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/2, Item 83
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Description: Landscape View of MountainWritten on verso: "Summerland"Dates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/2, Item 84
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Description: Group of horses from afarDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/2, Item 85
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Description: Landscape View of MountainDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/2, Item 86
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Description: Landscape View of MountainDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/2, Item 87
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Description: Landscape View of MountainDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/2, Item 88
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Description: Landscape View of MountainWritten on verso: "Indian Henry"Dates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/2, Item 89
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Description: Lake in a forestDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/3, Item 90
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Description: Horses by a lakeWritten on verso: "Mistick [sic] Lake"Dates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/3, Item 91
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Description: Landscape View of MountainDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/3, Item 92
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Description: Bear in a cageDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/3, Item 93
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Description: Landscape View of MountainDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/3, Item 94
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Description: Landscape View of snow-covered MountainDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/3, Item 95
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Description: Deer in the Park at Ashland OregonWritten on verso: "Deer in the park at Ashland, Oregon 1941"Dates: 1941Container: Box/Folder 2/3, Item 96
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Description: CowsDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/3, Item 97
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Description: CowsDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/3, Item 98
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Description: CowsDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/3, Item 99
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Description: Landscape View of MountainDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/3, Item 100
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Description: Landscape view of Mount ShastaWritten on verso: "Mount Shasta near Shasta California"Dates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/3, Item 101
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Description: CowsDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/3, Item 102
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Description: CowsDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/3, Item 103
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Description: CowsDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/3, Item 104
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Description: CowsDates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/3, Item 105
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Description: Forest in the snowWritten on Verso: "General Sherman tree"Dates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/3, Item 106
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Description: Forest in the snowWritten on Verso: "General Sherman tree Sequoia National Park"Dates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/3, Item 107
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Description: Man on dogsled in the snowWritten on verso: "at paradise 1926"Dates: 1926Container: Box/Folder 2/3, Item 108
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Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Mountaineering--Washington (State)--Mount Rainier National Park--Photographs
- Mountaineers--Washington (State)--Mount Rainier National Park--Photographs
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
Geographical Names
- Mount Rainier National Park (Wash.)--Photographs
