WAUMooreGeorgePHColl281.xml Guide to the George N. Moore Photographs circa 1870-1894 Moore (George N.) Photographs Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries ©2009 (Last modified: 4/14/2026)
Allen Library BOX 352900 Seattle, Washington 98195-2900 Business Number: 206-543-1929 speccoll@uw.edu http://www.lib.washington.edu/specialcollections/
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-06-17. Finding aid written in English. Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard). April 2026 Grace Landers added 2 photographs to the Studio Portraiture series. Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries George N. Moore photographs Moore, George N PH0281 1 box 37 photographic prints; sizes vary circa 1865-1897 Portraiture and views of Pacific Northwest scenes mainly circa 1870-1885 Collection materials are in English.

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.

Photographs of Pacific Northwest scenes from the 1870s to 1890s, particularly in Seattle, and studio portraits of noteworthy Seattle individuals and others.

View selections from the collection in digital format.

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.

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Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.

Processed by Elizabeth Russell; completed in 2012.

The Prosch Seattle Views Photograph Albums, PH0027, contains photographs of early Seattle by Moore.

 Moore, George N Seattle (Wash.) --Photographs Northwest, Pacific --Photographs Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington) Photographic prints Cabinet photographs Carte de visite photographs Moore Portrait Gallery Moore Photograph Gallery parlor undated PH0281 Box 1 1 1

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.

 Studio Portraiture Judge Thomas Burke circa 1885 PH0281 Box 1 1 2

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.

 Father William Duncan circa 1891-1894 PH0281 Box 1 1 3

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.

 J.M. Fisk 1884-1889 PH0281 Box 1 1 32 Judge Roger Sherman Greene circa 1895-1897 PH0281 Box 1 1 4

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.

 Richard Asbury Jones circa 1884-1889 PH0281 Box 1 1 5 Father Francis Xavier Prefontaine circa 1875-1884 PH0281 Box 1 2 6

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.

 Charles Prosch circa 1891-1894 PH0281 Box 1 2 7

Charles Prosch was a printer and newspaper publisher who arrived in the Pacific Northwest in 1855.

 James Scott undated PH0281 Box 1 2 8

Written on verso: James Scott, of Coupeville, attended the the university in 1872. Found dead in bed.

Photograph probably collected by Edmond Meany.

 Marie Tristi circa 1891-1895 PH0281 Box 1 2 9

Inscription in French on verso from Marie Tristi to Caroline Burke (wife of Thomas Burke), dated October 1895.

 S.C. Woodruff, costumed for theatrical role undated PH0281 Box 1 2 10 Ernest Elwood Wyman 1884-1895 PH0281 Box 1 2 33

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.

 Studio portrait of small dog circa 1884-1889 PH0281 Box 1 2 11 Young woman 1885 PH0281 Box 1 2 12 Pacific Northwest Views Seattle Moore copy of E.M. Sammis 1870 photograph of Commercial Street, now First Avenue, looking north 1881 PH0281 Box 1 3 13a

Written on photograph: Copyright 1881 G. N. Moore.

Handwritten on mount: Commercial St. looking north. 1870.

 Copy print of E.M. Sammis 1870 photograph of Commercial Street undated PH0281 Box 1 3 13b

It is unclear whether this copy print was made from a Moore copy of the Sammis photograph.

 North side of Mill St. (now Yesler Way), west of First Ave. 1871 PH0281 Box 1 3 14

This image is also in PH Coll 27, Prosch Seattle Views Photograph Albums, vol. 2, p. 15. Image is marked with arrow and numbering.

 Group of men in front of saloon on Yesler's Wharf, next to totem pole 1872 PH0281 Box 1 3 15

Handwritten on mount: On Yesler's Wharf - 1872.

Verso is not stamped as are the other Moore stereoview cards.

 Trinity Church 1873 PH0281 Box 1 3 16

Half of stereograph card; card torn in half.

 Driving first pile for Seattle and Walla Walla Railroad May 4, 1874 PH0281 Box 1 3 17

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.

 Judge John J. McGilvra residence, "Laurel Shade," in Madison Park 1874 PH0281 Box 1 3 18

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.

 View of Front Street from Spring Street 1874 PH0281 Box 1 4 19a

Stamped on verso: Puget Sound Photographic Gallery, G. Moore, Artist.

This photograph was later copied by Theodore Peiser.

 View of Front Street from Spring Street undated PH0281 Box 1 4 19b

Copy print of stereograph in item 19a, containing the complete image from the right side and the partial image from the left side.

 View of Seattle from the water circa 1874 PH0281 Box 1 4 20

Stamped on verso: Puget Sound Photographic Gallery, G. Moore, Artist.

 Looking north along Commercial Street, now First Avenue circa 1874 PH0281 Box 1 4 21

Stamped on verso: Puget Sound Photographic Gallery, G. Moore, Artist.

Photograph later copied by Theodore Peiser.

 Looking up Commercial Street from New England Hotel circa 1874 PH0281 Box 1 4 22a

Stamped on verso: Puget Sound Photographic Gallery, G. Moore, Artist.

Photograph later copied by Theodore Peiser.

 Looking up Commercial Street from New England Hotel circa 1874 PH0281 Box 1 4 22b

Right hand image from item 22a stereograph. Copy print of Asahel Curtis 28830 (the Curtis photo was made from the Moore stereograph).

 Seattle Post-Intelligencer building on Front Street circa 1875 PH0281 Box 1 4 23

Stamped on verso: Puget Sound Photographic Gallery, G. Moore, Artist.

 First Avenue circa 1875 PH0281 Box 1 5 24 Washington Territorial University circa 1880 PH0281 Box 1 5 25a

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.

 Washington Territorial University circa 1880 PH0281 Box 1 5 25b

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.

 Post Building housing Seattle Post-Intelligencer office circa 1881 PH0281 Box 1 5 26 Illustration of engraving of the Post Building circa 1881 PH0281 Box 1 5 27

Engraving possibly made from Moore photograph. Engraver's identity unknown. Appears to be page torn out of a book.

 Seattle with Mount Rainier in the background circa 1884-1889 PH0281 Box 1 6 28

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.

 Front St. looking north from James Street May 1887 PH0281 Box 1 6 29

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.

 Wooden house surrounded by cleared land circa 1870s PH0281 Box 1 7 30

Stamped on verso: Puget Sound Photographic Gallery, G. Moore, Artist.

 The Gorge, Victoria, B.C. circa 1891-1894 PH0281 Box 1 7 31