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Jackson Street Regrade photograph collection, 1908-1909

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Lewis and Wiley, Inc
Title
Jackson Street Regrade photograph collection
Dates
1908-1909 (inclusive)
Quantity
13 photographic prints ( 2 folders)
Collection Number
PH1319
Summary
Photographs of the Jackson Street Regrade, Seattle, Washington
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

The entire collection can be viewed on the Libraries' Digital Collections website. Permission of curator required to view original photographs. Contact Special Collections for more information.

Request at UW

Languages
English
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Historical Background

Between 1907 and 1909 the topography of Seattle changed with the regrade of Jackson Street. The Jackson Street Regrade took out 85 feet from the hill. The material removed from the site was put in the tide flats below Beacon Hill. The Jackson Street Regrade was named for the main street through the area and its northern border. About fifty-six city blocks were reshaped by the regrade work which turned it into an easy upward slope from Elliott Bay to the Central District. Cannons were used to sluice the earth and dirt was collected and redistributed to reshape fifty-six city blocks. Property owners were required to either raise their buildings so dirt could be packed underneath or construct basements. The Lewis & Wiley Company was the primary contractor for the regrade work.

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Content Description

The collection includes photographs of construction work on the Jackson Street regrade. All of the photographs are probably by Asahel Curtis. (One of the photographs is identified as being made by Asahel Curtis.)

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Use of the Collection

Alternative Forms Available

View selections from 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.

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Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

Donor: Dan Kerlee, March 2015.

Processing Note

Processed by Vicky Villalobos, 2015, processing completed, 2015.

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Detailed Description of the Collection