Seattle from Beacon Hill, circa 1909 (MOHAI 13124)

Much of Seattle was built on land reclaimed from Elliott Bay and the mouth of the Duwamish River. This four-part panoramic image faces northwest from Beacon Hill and shows the area south of downtown before the Jackson Street regrade (1907-1909) cut through the hill for better access to the Rainier Valley.
The King County Courthouse, with its tall cupola, can be seen in the center right distance on First Hill, where Harborview Medical Center is located today. To the left, railroad tracks run along the waterfront of Elliott Bay. In the distant left, train and streetcar trestles stretch over the tide flats to West Seattle. These tidelands will all be filled in with dirt from the regrade. South School, the large brick building in the right foreground, was located at 12th Avenue South and Weller Street. Holy Names Academy, with its steeple, can be seen above and to the left of the gabled house in the foreground. Both buildings will be demolished to make way for the regrade.
Handwritten on images: C.& R. 667, C.& R. 668, C.& R. 669, C.& R. 670.
Subjects (LCTGM): Bays (Bodies of water)--Washington (State); Business districts--Washington (State)--Seattle; Harbors--Washington (State)--Seattle
People: Curtis, Asahel, 1874-1941