The brothers Arthur Armstrong Denny and David Thomas Denny were members of the Denny Party, which landed at Alki Point, near the future site of Seattle, on November 13, 1851. Arthur and David Denny were notable for their role in the building and development of various properties in the city, including the Denny Hotel, which was advertised as "The Scenic Hotel of the West" but was torn down by 1907 as part of the Seattle regrade.
Mary Ann Boren Denny, A.A. Denny's wife, and her sister Louisa Boren also landed at Alki Point in 1851, along with their father Carson Boren. Later, Louisa Boren married David Denny.
Rolland Denny (Arthur Denny's son) at six weeks old was the youngest member of the Alki landing party. In later years he became active in civic affairs and was one of the founding members of the Seattle Historical Society, predecessor to the Museum of History and Industry.
David Denny's daughter Emily Inez became an accomplished artist and writer. Her book "Blazing The Way or True Stories, Songs, and Sketches of Puget Sound and Other Pioneers" was illustrated by her paintings and serves as a valuable reference and first hand account of life in early Seattle.
Photographs of the members of the Arthur Armstrong Denny and David Thomas Denny Families. The collection also includes photographs of buildings belonging to David Thomas Denny and a photograph of the piano at the Denny School.
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.
Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.
Processed by Jennifer Hawkin, 2010; and Sarah Ganderup, 2012.
Transferred from Portraits File, 2010.
Written on verso: Enlarged daguerreotype of Mr. Arthur A. Denny presented by Mr. John Denison May 7, 1943.
Engraving from photograph. Signed Very Respectfully A. A. Denny. Possibly from photograph located in Prosch Seattle Views, volume one, page two.
Halftone copy of item 4 manipulated for printing.
This home, built 1865 and razed in 1907, was located on the corner of First Avenue and Union Street, where the Seattle Art Museum now stands. This is the homestead commemorated in the plaque ceremony with Rolland Denny, Arthur's son, in images 14 - 20.
Item 6b is an enlarged copy print of 6a.
Copy print.
Background of photograph around subject's head masked out with paint.
This is the home of John Denny (Arthur Denny's father). John Denny's daughter Loretta is standing on the veranda.
The Federal Building is now located on this site.
Copy print.
This building served as headquarters for David Denny in his work as overseer to improvements of the Snoqualmie Pass road, particularly construction of new bridges and roadways.
Written on verso: April 9th, 1889 For my dear friend Annie Hall E. Inez Denny. This photo given to "Pioneer Women of the State of Washington" by Mrs. Ivy Hall Kirsch. 17 Sept 56.
Copy print.
Written on verso: Oct 17th - From Aunt Em.
Written on verso:17 Sept. 56.
Denny school was built in 1884, and demolished in 1928. Written on verso: Piano placed in the Denny School in memory of D.T. Denny's daughter Anna L. Denny. 17 Sept. 56.