The Rainier Heat & Power Co. was founded in 1912 by William M. Chappell (1867-1921). Chappell first earned his fortune in the Midwest timber and real estate industries, coming west to join gold prospectors in the Klondike. He was successful, and came to Seattle in 1900 to invest in real estate. The Rainier Heat & Power Co. maintained a heating plant and developed buildings on Jackson Street in Seattle's International District. In later years, the company functioned as a management trust selling parcels of land in the International District. Rainier Heat & Power Co. is listed in city directories from 1912 through 1981.
17 photographs of streets in Seattle's International District, showing business and storefronts. The area depicted is approximately bounded by South Jackson Street to the north, South Weller Street to the south, and 5th Avenue South and Maynard Avenue to the west and east respectively. Some buildings depicted, such as the Bush Hotel and the Rainier Heat & Power Co. building, are known to have been owned by Rainier Heat & Power Co. It is likely that at least some of the other properties depicted were also owned by Rainier Heat & Power Co.
The photographs document the vitality of the International District in the wake of regrading along Jackson Street, finished in 1909, and the construction of railroad passenger terminals and marshalling yards in the rebuilt area. A number of small and large hotels are documented in the photographs, as is the proliferation of Asian-American owned businesses in the thriving neighborhood.
The album measured 8.5 x 11 inches, with leather covers, the front embossed with "Rainier Heat & Power Co., Seattle" in gold. The covers were removed due to deterioration.
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The Museum of History & Industry is the owner of the materials in the Sophie Frye Bass Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from MOHAI before any reproduction use. The museum does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.
Rainier Heat & Power Co. International District photograph album , Museum of History & Industry, Seattle
Gift of Rob Roblee, 1990.
Due to deterioration of the album pages, the album was unbound and the pages foldered in their original order.
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.
Designed by John L. McCauley, the Bush Hotel was built in 1915 by the Rainier Heat & Power Co. and
served railroad passengers arriving and departing from the nearby King Street Station.
Other businesses in photo: Jackson Furniture Co. in ground level of Bush Hotel
Businesses in photo: Alaska Grill, Oriental Optical Co., Chop Suey Noodles
Designed by John L. McCauley, and built around 1918.
Business in photo: Thumler & Kovar real estate and insurance.
Businesses in photo: Jackson Fuel & Transfer Co., Jackson Auto Rent Co., Peking Low, Dr. H. Sugata, physician and surgeon, Aiko Photo Studio, Welcome Hotel. Bush Hotel adjacent to the left.
Building shown is identical in design to 1990.21.4 but appears to be across 6th Avenue South.
Businesses in photo: Jackson Soft Drinks, Jackson Sanitary Barber Shop, Dr. H. Kato, physician and surgeon, Dr. S. Higashida, dentist, Sanyo Company, Gosho Drug Co., Jackson Dye Works, Good Cafe.
Businesses in photo: Bison Cafe, U.I. Hotel, King Coffee House, Russell House, Mulkiteo Hotel, Paris Hotel
Businesses in photo: Paris Hotel, Hinode Laundry and Baths
Businesses in photo: Sang Lung Co. Merchandise, National Pool Hall, Ohio Hotel
Same corner pictured in 1990.21.6 but closer view.
Businesses in photo: U.I. Hotel, King Coffee House, Bison Cafe.
Businesses in photo: Diamond Hotel, N.P. Restaurant, St. Paul Hotel, Dreamland Cabaret, Monte Carlo Pool Room, Fiore d'Italia Cafe.
Bush Hotel sign visible behind top of building. Businesses in photo: Salvation Army, New Golden Shoe Repair, Welcome Hotel, Peking Low.
Businesses in photo: Sunrise Coffee House, Harding Pool Room.
Businesses in photo: Queen Hotel, Sun Express
Two men stand in front of the building and a sports car is parked nearby.
Hotel Alps in the distance
Chains, a roll of cable, tubing and other equipment are visible on the ground in number 15.