Washington Mutual, Inc.’s predecessor was established after the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. The Washington National Building Loan and Investment Association filed articles of incorporation on September 25, 1889 with the intention of helping Seattle residents rebuild after the fire. In 1908 the name was changed to Washington Savings and Loan Association. In 1917 it converted into a mutual savings bank and changed its name to Washington Mutual Savings Bank. In 1941 the bank merged with Coolidge Mutual Savings Bank and opened its first branch office. Five branches were opened in the Seattle area between 1955 and 1961.
The collection consists of 78 photographs of Washington Mutual founders, original minutes book, first official papers, early offices, main office building, opening of branches, 50th anniversary celebration, and 75th anniversary celebration. The collection also includes photographs of the Great Seattle Fire, and miscellaneous photographs.
Arranged into eight series: Founders and Documents, Early Offices, Main Office Building, Opening of Branches, 50th Anniversary, 75th Anniversary, The Great Seattle Fire, and Miscellaneous.
View selections from the collection in digital format by clicking on the camera icons in the detailed listing below.
The collection is open to the public by appointment.
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.
Washington Mutual Photograph Collection, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle.
Donor: Charlotte Smith Advertising in 1979.
Duplicate photographs were removed from the collection.
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.
Most notes (appearing in quotation marks) are transcribed from captions written by Charlotte Smith Advertising which accompanied each photograph, except where indicated.
"Robert Moran, the founder of Washington Mutual, mayor of Seattle, and a prominent shipbuilder. He was 32 years old, mayor of Seattle, and already a shipbuilder when he helped found Washington Mutual. This photograph from the Moran family library shows him at the time of the bank’s founding."
"Herman Chapin, the founder, a city builder, and second president of Washington National Building Loan and Investment Association from March 18, 1897 to April 6, 1915. Photograph by Alfred Witter, from bank’s files."
"Hill Case, the founder and general manager (1890-1893) and secretary (1889-1893) of the Washington National Building and Loan Investment Association. This, the only known likeness of Mr. Case, was discovered in “Seattle Illustrated” a promotion magazine published by the Seattle Chamber of Commerce in 1890."
"James Hamilton Lewis, one of Washington Mutual’s founders, and general counsel for the Association from September 21, 1889 to August 1890. Mr. Lewis was a partner in the law firm of Gilman and Lewis, member of territorial legislature and later a famous senator from Illinois. Photocopy made from picture in University of Washington Law Library Files."
"James Hamilton Lewis, Washington Mutual founder and first legal counsel. Photograph from files of the
"Photograph from
"Page 2 and 3 of Original Minutes Book. Records signatures of founders; report notarizing article of Incorporation, by a notary Public of King County; and election of offices of the Association."
Caption from verso.
"Original Minutes Book records first loan customers on pages 14 and 15. First home loan was made to Peter Nord of Ballard on February 6, 1890 (a loan of $700). It was repaid in 72 monthly payments. It was the first monthly installment loan on the Pacific Coast and perhaps in the nation."
"Judge L. C. Gilman, trustee (1922-1942) and attorney. Writer of the original Articles of Incorporation. Photograph from the bank’s files."
"Certificate of Authority, dated September 12, 1917 from the State of Washington authorizing Washington Mutual to operate as a mutual savings bank."
"William A. Peters, trustee from 1892-1929, and for many years legal counsel for Washington Mutual. Photograph from the bank’s files, photographer unknown."
"Site of Washington Mutual’s Founding, September 21, 1889. Photographer unknown, possibly Ashel [sic] Curtis."
"Korn Building, Washington Mutual’s Second home. The office was moved there in 1890 from the Kilgen Building. Photograph taken at corner of Yesler and Occidental Avenue with Korn Building on Southwest corner. Photograph taken by Webster and Stevens, from the bank’s files. Note Alaska Steamship Company at the end of street. At right center is Mutual Life Building with State Bank of Seattle in corner. In right foreground is Occidental Hotel."
"Korn Building, Washington Mutual’s second home. Photograph by Sidney Halvorson, Washington Mutual auditor. Korn Building was at the corner of Yesler and Occidental Avenue."
"Gottstein Building, 111 Columbia Street, Washington Mutual’s third home. Offices in this building (later known as the Seattle Hotel Building) were occupied from 1890 or 1891 to 1893. Photograph is from “Seattle Illustrated”, published by Seattle Chamber of Commerce, dated 1890."
"Columbia Street, about 1895, near what is now Post Street. Washington Mutual’s third office, at 111 Columbia, was located in the round cornered building center right. At corner of First and Columbia building was known as Gottstein Block and later as Seattle Hotel Building. MacDougall and Southwick Company, a fashionable Seattle store, was on the corner of Second Avenue and Columbia. On left front is Coleman [sic] Block, next the Kenny Block (Hyman Parson and Company of San Francisco), next the Haller Building. On right, in the distance, is the Hinkley Building. Original photograph by Webster and Stevens."
"115 Cherry Street, often referred to as Washington Mutual’s first permanent home. Washington Mutual’s office was on ground floor in the Bailey Building on Southwest corner of second and Cherry from about 1893 to 1907. The Bailey Building now (1969) known as Broderick Building, home of Henry Broderick, pioneer realtors. Photograph by Webster and Stevens."
"On left, Butler Hotel. On right, Bailey Building, Washington Mutual’s home from 1893-1907. 115 Cherry Street. View on Second Ave looking north."
Caption from verso
"First known photograph of Washington Mutual office. Interior of 115 Cherry Street office, as it looked about 1900. Shown are: Ella Hall; C.E. Vilas, general manager, 1892-1908, and trustee 1892-1928; Dave Baxter; Martha Hall and Francis E. Finley, appraiser and trustee form 1898 to 1935. Original photograph from bank files, photographer unknown."
"Bailey Building, Second and Cherry, site of Washington Mutual’s fourth home at 115 Cherry, just beyond Western Union office. Photograph shows uncompleted L. C. Smith Building rising behind Lowman building right foreground. Photograph taken about 1910 by Webster and Stevens."
"115 Cherry Street, known as Washington Mutual’s first permanent home from 1903-1907. Door and window not much changed from time bank occupied space there, although Cherry Street re-grading had put entrance below street level. Photograph by Sidney Halvorson, Washington Mutual auditor."
"Washington Savings and Loan Association office at 104 Cherry Street. Serving customers at the counter near the door is William Thaanum, vice president and treasurer; G. A. Bruce is seated at the rear of the office and F.B. Finley, appraiser, is seated at his desk. At right are Edna Mattson, Minerva Mallick, and Arthur P. Redman, who served the bank as appraiser for more than forty years. Photograph from the bank’s files, photographer unknown. "
"Washington Mutual Savings Bank occupied this location from 1908 to 1911. This photograph was taken in 1941, but judging from a 1911 picture of the interior of 104 Cherry Street, the doorway and windows were substantially the same in 1941 as when the bank was there. Washington Mutual’s office was in the space later used by Wong Lee Hand Laundry. Photograph by Sidney C. Halvorson "
"Washington Savings and Loan Association office at 810 Second Avenue as it looked in 1914, three years before it became Washington Mutual Savings Bank. These quarters, on the ground floor of the Seattle National Bank building, were occupied for ten years (1911 to 1921) Note that the assets were $3,200,000. Herman Chapin, the bank’s second president still headed the institution."
"1101 Second Avenue, about 1938, before the top three floors were removed and building completely remodeled inside and out. Photograph by Sidney Halvorson auditor of the bank."
"The Walker Building, 1101 Second Avenue, was purchased by Washington Mutual Savings Bank in 1921 and remodeled for bank use. The bank’s new office was located in the heart of the smart shopping district. Cheasty’s Haberdashery, leading men’s store of the day, moved from street level to the second floor when Washington Mutual occupied the building and the exclusive Carman dress shop for ladies occupied the third floor. Frederick and Nelson was across Spring Street to the south. Original photograph by Webster and Stevens from bank files."
"1101 Second Avenue, after the bank moved in 1921. Washington Mutual remodeled the building before occupying it. Note that extension to First Avenue had not as yet been built. Original photograph from bank files."
"Opening Day, June 20, 1921, 1101 Second Avenue. Original photograph taken from rear of bank (alley side) from bank files, photographer unknown."
"Winter Day at Washington Mutual, about 1923. Original photographs in bank files, probably by Ashel [sic] Curtis. Bank had not yet been extended across alley."
"Washington Mutual’s main office building during 1939 remodeling. Top three floors of the original Walker Building were removed, and entire building, interior and exterior, extensively remodeled. Photograph taken at time of bank’s 50th anniversary celebration, September 1939. Original photograph from bank files by Alfred Witter."
"Washington Mutual Savings Bank’s main office building, as it looked for almost 30 years. The building, designed by famed architect John Graham, had little resemblance to the original Walker building after Graham’s remodeling in 1939. The banking floor (a full block deep) bridged the alley to First Avenue. Executive offices and loan department were at the rear of the main building floor; general books, accounting and data processing in floors below the banking floor in the First Avenue section. School savings was in the basement and Personnel on the second floor of the Second Avenue section. The First Avenue section was demolished and rebuilt in 1967-68; the Second Avenue section in 1968-69. Photograph by Dudley, Hardin, and Yang."
"Main Office lobby, shortly after World War II, and before final remodeling of lobby. Notice that old style lights were still in use. New accounts department left front, savings window left center; special services and contract department on right. Photograph from bank files."
"Ground breaking for the White Center Branch’s new building, the “Round Bank”. Left to right: Dietrich Schmitz, chairman of the board, J. Russel Rennie, manager of the White Center Branch, and officials from contracting firm. The building opened September 1967. Photograph by Dudley, Hardin, and Yang."
Duplicate of 1979.6747.2
"50th Anniversary photograph. Judge L.C. Gilman, trustee and attorney; Dietrich Schmitz, president; Claude A. Philbrick, trustee 1935-1947; and W.V. Tanner, attorney and trustee 1930-1953. Ashel [sic] Curtis photograph in bank’s 50th anniversary scrapbook."
"50th Anniversary celebration photograph, September 21, 1939, shows Washington Mutual founder Robert Moran (fourth from left) with president Dietrich Schmitz (second from left) and past president and chairman Raymond R. Frazier (right). Also shown are (left) Judge L.C. Gilman, writer of the bank’s original Articles of Incorporation, and long time trustee; Mrs. Gilman and Mrs. Stuart C. Frazier, daughter-in-law of Mr. Frazier. Original photograph by Ashel [sic] Curtis in bank’s 50th anniversary scrapbook."
"50th Anniversary photograph shows three Washington Mutual Savings Bank presidents. Dietrich Schmitz (third from left) president December 1933-January 1, 1958, chairman January 1, 1958- January 1, 1968; Stuart C. Frazier (second from right) president January 1, 1958- July 19, 1960; and Raymond R. Frazier, president April 6, 1915- December 26, 1933, chairman December 1933- September 30, 1941. Others, left to right, are: Mrs. Stuart Frazier, Mrs. P. Benson, and Mr. P. Benson. Ashel [sic] Curtis photograph in Bank’s 50th anniversary scrapbook."
"Stuart C. Frazier, fifth president of Washington Mutual Savings Bank. He was president from January1, 1958 until his death, July 18, 1960, Photography by Grady Studio (now Grady and Jentoft, 1969)."
"Raymond R. Frazier was the third president of Washington Building and Loan Association and of Washington Mutual Savings Bank after the Association became a mutual savings bank on September 17, 1917. Mr. Frazier was president from April 6, 1915 to December 26, 1933 and chairman December 1933- September 30, 1941. Original photograph from bank files."
"Willis S. Darrow, vice-president and trustee. Mr. Darrow served the Bank for more than 51 years, longer than any other person. He came to the bank in 1903. This 1914 photograph by James Bushell is from the bank’s files."
"F.B. Finley, trustee and appraiser July 1898 to August 1935. Photograph taken in 1914 by Jacobs."
"Dietrich Schmitz, president of Washington Mutual Savings Bank, receives Seattle’s “Man of the Year Award” 1955. Making presentation is William M. Allen, president of The Boeing Co. Schmitz is only banker ever to be so honored. Photograph by Dudley, Hardin and Yang."
"Trustee C.L. Egtvedt and Keith G. Fisken looking at 1921 photographs of Washington Mutual on display in the lobby of Main Office September 21, 1964, for 75th anniversary celebration. Customer, Col. Howard Darlington in the foreground, Mr. Egtvedt in right foreground and Mr. Fisken behind Mr. Egtvedt. Photograph by Dudley, Hardin, and Yang taken September 21, 1964."
"Winifred Cook looks at photographs of early day Seattle and documents relating to the Bank’s founding during 75th anniversary display of historic photograph. Display on right shows founders Moran and Miller and original documents of the Bank. Photograph by Dudley, Hardin, and Yang."
"Seattle Advertising Club Luncheon honoring Washington Mutual’s 75th Anniversary. Left to right: Dietrich Schmitz (chairman of Washington Mutual Savings Bank), Russell Young (Advertising director, Seattle Times, Daniel J. Conley (senior V.P., Washington Mutual Savings Bank)."
Caption from verso.
"Seattle Ad Club Luncheon honoring Washington Mutual’s 75th Anniversary, June 1964. Left to right: Daniel Conley (senior V.P.), Anthony J. Eyring (president), and Fisher (trustee)."
"Aurora Village Branch Celebrates 75th Anniversary. Manager Richard R. Lines and Kenneth Nesset, assistant manager, serve birthday cake to two of the bank’s 75-year old customers, Mrs. Marion Murray and Mrs. Perry Gardnier. Customers 75 years old were honored guests at all the bank’s offices September 21, 1964. Photograph by Lynwood Enterprise."
"Seafair Princess serves 75th anniversary birthday cake at University Branch’s celebration. On the left: John E. MacPherson, assistant manager, and Mrs. Nettie Voy (a 75-year old customer of Washington Mutual). On right: Barbara Foy, University District Seafair Princess, serving birthday cake to Wilford V. Wilson, vice-president and manager of University Branch. Photograph by Jack Johnson for University Herald."
"Cutting the cake for University Branch’s 75th anniversary celebration. John E. MacPherson, assistant manager, Nettie Voy (a 75-year old customer of Washington Mutual), and Wilford V. Wilson, vice-president and manager, watched as Barbara Foy, University District Seafair Princess cut the 75th Birthday cake at University Branch, September 21, 1964. Photograph by Jack Johnson for University Herald."
"Shortly after the Seattle fire. The Bodega, meaning temporary structure or tent, housed the Palace restaurant and Murphy’s Cut Rate Ticket Office. Tents occupied by burned-out Seattle businesses can be seen in center of picture. The dark brick building on left was Boston Block, Second and Columbia, the only office building not burned in the fire. Original photograph by John P. Soule."
"Second and James thirty days after the great Seattle fire. A tent city housed business concerns and homes. The Kilgen Building was erected on this site by September 21; Washington Mutual was founded there. Original John P. Soule photograph was loaned by E.A. Potter for copying."
"Start of Seattle fire, June 6, 1889, showing location of Washington Mutual’s main office at Second and Spring. Photograph from files of Seattle Historical Society."
"Boy Scouts visit to Washington Mutual Savings Bank. Raymond R. Frazier, president, was active for many years in the Boy Scout leadership program in Seattle. Photograph by Webster and Stevens from bank files."
"1945 Victory Bond Meeting. Dietrich Schmitz, Washington Savings Bank president, and King County War Bond chairman, with General Johnathan Wainwright, Thomas F. Gleed (Washington Mutual Savings Bank trustee), chairman of the Victory Bond Drive, and Reno Oldin, Washington State War Bond chairman. The meeting took place shortly after Wainwright’s release from Corregidor. Photograph from the bank’s files."
"Speakers at Washington Mutual Savings Bank War Bond rally, 1945, were Wilford V. Wilson; Dietrich Schmitz, King County War Bond Chairman and Washington Mutual president; John N. Ryder, manager of the bank’s war bond department; Walter J. Ward, vice-president; and H.W. Barrager, War Bond team leader. Photograph and print by Sidney C. Halvorsen."
"Interior of the bank with interest payment crowds about January 2, 1948. Original photograph from bank files, photographer unknown."
"Interest being mailed to customers. Original photo from bank files, photographer unknown."