Seattle Municipal Archives Digital Collections

Seattle at 150 Chapter 4: Navigating the Great Depression (1930-1941)

During the Great Depression, unemployment relief programs that had been ad hoc during earlier economic depressions became full-fledged efforts to support workers and families, often using funds from state and federal programs like the State Emergency Relief Fund and the Works Progress Administration. Some long-delayed projects were realized, including the Alaskan Way seawall and the Washington Park Arboretum.

INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1: FOUNDATIONS 1869-1896
CHAPTER 2: BOOMTOWN 1897-1910
CHAPTER 3: GROWING UP: 1910-1929
CHAPTER 4: NAVIGATING THE GREAT DEPRESSION: 1930-1941
CHAPTER 5: WARTIME: 1942-1945
CHAPTER 6: BECOMING A GLOBAL CITY: 1946-1962
CHAPTER 7: ACTIVISM AND ENGAGEMENT: 1963-1990
CHAPTER 8: BOOMTOWN REDUX: 1991-2019
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Mayoral recall petition
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[Hooverville on tideflats - foot of S. Atlantic St. near the Skinner and Eddy Shipyards]
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One of the five Lake Washington Bathing Beaches
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Baseball scoring book
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Railroad Avenue; North from University Street
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City Light Sales Room
[The Alice Ross on Diablo Lake]
Official Seal of the City of Seattle
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At a point on the center line of Main St. at the intersection of the west margin of Maynard Ave., looking east, showing slide extending about 9' south of center line
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City of Seattle - Original Incorporation and Annexations : Sanitary Survey WPA Project No. 5638
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Ships in Harbor for Shrine Convention
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[Beach at Colman Park]
Yesler Terrace community building blueprint
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Video icon
Transit ad
Numbers and Distribution of Shacks by Census Tracts / Seattle, Washington
6th Avenue South Garbage Fill [and shacks in shantytown] [Garbage Dump]
First South Bridge, Slum House Boats