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Seattle Municipal Archives Finding Aids

Seattle (Wash.)

 Subject
Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings

Found in 53 Collections and/or Records:

16th Avenue Southwest Bridge Records

 Series
Identifier: 2614-03
Scope and Contents note

Correspondence and specifications on the 16th Avenue Southwest Bridge. Arranged alphabetically by type.

Dates: 1969-1977

Engineering Department Annual Reports

 Series
Identifier: 2600-01
Scope and Contents note

Annual report of department activities including statistical reports on construction projects and financial recapitulations.

Dates: 1900-1976

Central Business District Transportation Study

 Series
Identifier: 2609-03
Scope and Contents note

Reports, surveys and studies concerning traffic and transportation in downtown Seattle. Subjects include district traffic circulation, reversible roadway, freeways, and the comprehensive traffic plan for the Central Business District.

Dates: 1961-1967

Condemnation Files

 Series
Identifier: 4403-04
Scope and Contents note Court documents, correspondence, condemnation maps, title reports, deeds, property appraisals, and photographs relating to the condemnation of property for use in constructing and improving streets, boulevards, regrading projects, sewers, water supply systems, electric generation and transmission facilities, garbage disposal sites, parks, playfields, and municipal buildings. Also includes files for condemnations of City property and easements by the State of Washington, King County and other...
Dates: 1897-1982; 1901-1981

Law Department Correspondence (Series II)

 Series
Identifier: 4401-02
Scope and Contents note

Correspondence to and from the City Attorney. Includes requests from City agencies for legal opinions and advice.



Dates: 1939-1977

Cost Estimation Brain Book

 Series — Volume 1
Identifier: 2615-04
Abstract

Binder of construction cost information, presumably used for estimating project budgets.

Dates: circa 1940

Court Engineering Records

 Series
Identifier: 2608-05
Scope and Contents note Records related to condemnations for regrades, street widening, sewers, and street extensions; damage suits; appeals from assessment rolls; land surveys in the Cedar River Watershed and the area around Newcastle for a water reservoir; and court work related to bridges, city facilities, and arterial highways. Records include annual reports, maps, drawings, reports, and correspondence. Documentation of legal proceedings and legislative history is also included in some cases. Also included are...
Dates: 1890-1982

Engineering Department Annual Reports

 Series
Identifier: 1802-G2
Scope and Contents note Engineering Department annual reports date from 1899 to 1995. The 1909 report of Refuse Destructor No. 1 is also included in this series. This report includes information on composition of refuse, number of tons of refuse burned, temperature, and other statistics. The reports contain detailed information on paving, sewers, bridges, construction, arterial design, and many other types of work. For example, reports in the 1930s contain information on works Progress Administration projects and...
Dates: 1893-1995

Lake City Sewer District Financial Records

 Series
Identifier: 2630-02
Scope and Contents note

Financial records of the Lake City Sewer District (LCSD), consisting of State audits, general ledgers and ledgers on construction (involving roads, sewers, and sewage treatment plants), customer accounts, LCSD funds, and sewer utility-pump station cost distribution for Seattle and Lake City.

Dates: 1949-1975

First Avenue South Bascule Bridge Records

 Series
Identifier: 2614-01
Scope and Contents note

Reports, correspondence, and surveys concerning construction and maintenance of the First Avenue South Bridge. Subjects include approaches, surface work, lighting and testing. Material arranged alphabetically by subject.



Dates: 1944-1958

Franchise Correspondence

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 2623-01
Scope and Contents note

Correspondence and reports of the City Engineer or Franchise Inspector relating to the extension and operation of franchises in Seattle.

Dates: 1900-1903

Index to Engineering Department Negatives

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 2613-13
Scope and Contents note

Index to Engineering Department negatives. Includes a card index organized alphabetically by subject and proper name covering primarily the mid-1950s to 1996. Two volumes of Kroll Maps serve as a geographical index covering 1914 to 1968 (with large gaps). Negative numbers are entered on the maps at the site the photographs were taken.

Dates: 1914-1996

Inspection and Permit Ledger

 Series — Volume 1
Identifier: 2618-05
Abstract

Ledger itemizing inspector reports and permits issued by year in Seattle.

Dates: 1915-1939

Lake Washington Floating Bridge Construction Album

 Series
Identifier: 2613-11
Abstract

114 prints showing the progression of construction at the west end of the Lake Washington Floating Bridge.

Dates: 1939-1940

Lake Youngs Construction Projects Records

 Series
Identifier: 2614-10
Scope and Contents note

Correspondence, specifications, estimates, and drawings relating to the construction of the aqueduct, pipelines, chlorinating plant, and dam at Lake Youngs.



Dates: 1916-1946

Local Improvement District Letterpress Books

 Series
Identifier: 2608-01
Scope and Contents note

Correspondence, bid sheets, reports on majority petitions, notices to commence work, and completion notices relating to local improvements. Arranged chronologically.



Dates: 1900-1931

Local Improvement District Records

 Series
Identifier: 2615-03
Scope and Contents note Correspondence, petitions, specifications, bids, estimates of work completed, bond rate tables, drawings, and photographs of improvement projects funded through local property owner assessments. Projects include street and sidewalk paving, sanitary and storm sewers, water mains, and other improvements that benefit property within a specific district. Arranged numerically by LID number. Folder titles link to associated legislation. The number of the Resolution, Clerk/Comptroller, Council Bill...
Dates: 1894-1985

Engineering Department Maps and Drawings

 Series
Identifier: 2613-01
Scope and Contents note Maps, plans, and profiles. Map subjects include topography, plats, annexations, precincts and wards, and various types of districts. Plans include architectural drawings for municipally owned buildings and structures such as bridges, viaducts and pipelines, and site plans for construction and improvement projects. Profiles are generally of water and sewer pipelines and street grades. Select objects are viewable in ...
Dates: 1888-1976

Mayor's Reorganization Project Records

 Series
Identifier: 5005-01
Scope and Contents note

Correspondence, memoranda, reports, issues papers, newspaper clippings, and presentation materials relating to Mayor Royer's departmental reorganization proposals in 1978-1979. Target areas included the Executive Department, transportation planning, utilities, land use, energy, internal or general services, and housing. Arranged into 14 sub-series by issue area and record type.

Dates: 1972-1980

Engineering Department Miscellaneous Improvements Records

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 2615-02
Scope and Contents note

Correspondence, memoranda, cost estimates, specifications, agreements and contracts, and maps for non-local improvement district public works projects. Folder titles link to associated legislation. The number of the Resolution, Clerk/Comptroller, Council Bill or Ordinance number can be entered as a search term, if known.

Dates: 1896-1980

Engineering Department Miscellaneous Publications

 Series
Identifier: 2600-06
Scope and Contents note

Brochures and newsletters from Seattle Engineering Department.

Dates: 1960-2000; 1962-1996

Monthly Climatological Data

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 2606-02
Scope and Contents note

Compilation of temperature and precipitation data for cities and towns in the State of Washington. Includes averages, highs and lows, daily records, and other pertinent weather information. Also includes average temperature and precipitation maps. Reports were produced by the United States Weather Bureau.

Dates: 1914-1976

Engineering Department Negatives

 Series — Volume 680
Identifier: 2613-07
Abstract

Photographic negatives documenting public works, city employees, and elected officials.

Dates: 1910-1994

Pavement Crack Investigations

 Series
Identifier: 2618-04
Abstract

Two volumes documenting cracks in pavements on Seattle city streets.

Dates: 1925-1930

Private Contracts Project Records

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 2615-01
Scope and Contents note

Drawings, correspondence, copies of legislation, certificates of completion, estimates, and agreements relating to private agencies granted contracts to develop areas at their own expense. Arranged by street or plat description. Folder titles link to associated legislation. The number of the Resolution, Clerk/Comptroller, Council Bill or Ordinance number can be entered as a search term, if known.



Dates: 1918-1972

North Beach Sewer District Resolutions

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 2631-03
Scope and Contents note

Official decisions, opinions, policies, and directives by the North Beach Sewer District Board of Commissioners. The resolutions expressed the Board's decisions related to fiscal, administrative, and legal matters relating to the operation of the Sewer District.

Dates: 1944-1951

Rock Quarries Bids and Correspondence

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 2616-02
Scope and Contents note

Bids to supply rock crushers and screens to the City.

Dates: 1920

Neighborhood Street Fund Records

 Series
Identifier: 5751-06
Abstract

Records concerning street improvement projects in Seattle neighborhoods

Dates: 1994-2011

Condemnation Records

 Series — Box 0
Identifier: 2608-02
Scope and Contents note

Project plans, property descriptions, condemnation ordinances, judgements and awards of compensation documenting the condemnation of private property by the City for public works projects. Includes drawings of improvements and some files include photographs. Arranged by condemnation ordinance. Folders link to associated legislation. The number of the Resolution, Clerk/Comptroller, Council Bill or Ordinance number can be entered as a search term, if known.

Dates: 1888-1978

Damage Case Records

 Series
Identifier: 2608-03
Abstract

Legal case files, primarily concerning litigation over public and private property damages.

Dates: 1891-2003; 1914-1987

Engineering Department Digest (Newsletter)

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 2600-07
Scope and Contents note

Engineering Department employee newsletter containing personnel updates, notices of award winners, well wishes for ill coworkers, personal news such as weddings and new babies, and announcements of social activities like the department's fishing derby and bowling league. The newsletter was published weekly until the mid-1970s, when it went to biweekly. By the 1990s it was a monthly publication. The collection has a gap between 1976 and 1994.

Dates: 1955-1996

Engineering Department Director's Records

 Series
Identifier: 2600-05
Scope and Contents note

Correspondence, memoranda, reports, budget materials, and notes related to administration of the Seattle Engineering Department. The records document SED projects and activities and its relationship with other City agencies. These records cover the period after SED stopped use of a central filing system.

Dates: 1984-1994

Property Ownership Lists and Abstracts

 Series
Identifier: 2608-06
Abstract

Lists of property owners and descriptions of tracts of land in Seattle.

Dates: 1891-1904

R.H. Thomson Freeway Records

 Series
Identifier: 2614-04
Abstract

Engineering and property records concerning a proposed freeway in Seattle.

Dates: 1958-1977

Engineering Department Safety Photographs

 Series
Identifier: 2613-26
Abstract

Photographs of Engineering Department Safety Award-winning departments and individuals, 1947-1987. Also included are photographs of Engineering Department vehicles and equipment, construction projects, and vehicle damage due to accidents.

Dates: 1947-1987

Engineering Department Strategic Action Plan Task Force Records

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 2600-08
Abstract

Records of a planning task force.

Dates: 1995-1996

Street Trees and Landscaping Records

 Series
Identifier: 2620-01
Abstract

Primarily records of the Seattle City Arborist.

Dates: 1957-2001; 1966-1996

Street Vacation Records

 Series — Box 0
Identifier: 2608-04
Scope and Contents note Correspondence, petitions, reports, and maps related to the vacating of streets and alleys for various purposes. The files include cross references to the Clerk File, the official filing of the vacation. These records are arranged alphabetically and numerically by street, avenue, and alley. Included with the microfiche are log cards for each vacation. The cards include descriptions of the vacated streets, related Clerk Files, vacation ordinance numbers, and dates. Folder titles link to...
Dates: 1925-1990

Third Avenue Repaving Photograph Album

 Series — Box 0
Identifier: 2613-21
Abstract

Photographs of the repavement of Third Avenue, 1928 and 1929.

Dates: 1928-1929

Engineering Department Unrecorded Subject Files

 Series — Box 0
Identifier: 2602-02
Abstract

Records from the Seattle Engineering Department's central filing system.

Dates: 1890-1994

Engineering Department Vehicles and Equipment Photograph Albums

 Series
Identifier: 2613-20
Abstract

Three albums of photographs depicting vehicles and equipment used by the Seattle Engineering Department.

Dates: 1920-1952

Weather Data

 Series
Identifier: 2606-05
Abstract

Rainfall and other weather data for Seattle.

Dates: 1892-1983

Local Climatological Monthly Summary

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 2606-03
Abstract

Seattle weather data.

Dates: 1951-1983

Monthly Meteorological Summaries

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 2606-01
Abstract

Seattle weather data.

Dates: 1908-1951

Solid Waste Ammonia Project Records

 Series
Identifier: 2624-01
Scope and Contents note

Correspondence, working papers, reports, environmental impact statements, studies, testimony, conference presentations, and recommendations relating to research on converting solid waste to methanol or ammonia. Included is material concerning siting of a conversion plant. Correspondence includes input from government agencies and officials, community organizations, and the scientific community.

Dates: 1973-1977

Street Grade Notebook

 Series — Volume 1
Identifier: 2618-06
Abstract

Notebook recording grades of streets in Seattle, organized from most level to steepest.

Dates: circa 1925

Tolt River Dam Construction Records

 Series
Identifier: 2614-05
Scope and Contents note

Correspondence, memoranda, engineering notes, reports, logs, photographs, blueprints, maps, and accounting notes relating to the construction of the Tolt River Dam. Construction correspondence is arranged chronologically and includes a rudimentary index.

Dates: 1956-1970

Tolt River Water Supply Studies

 Series
Identifier: 2627-06
Scope and Contents note

Reports and studies concerning Seattle's water supply, especially relating to the Tolt River Watershed. Includes geologic reports, foundation condition, design studies, and a history of the Tolt River. Also included is correspondence related to various studies.



Dates: 1936-1966

Traffic Engineering Annual Reports

 Series
Identifier: 2609-04
Scope and Contents note

Annual reports from Traffic Engineering, arranged chronologically.

Dates: 1920-1969; 1920-1948

Traffic Engineering Subject Files

 Series
Identifier: 2609-01
Abstract

Material relating to traffic control and transportation planning in Seattle.

Dates: 1926-2000

Traffic Tally and Timely Tips (Newsletter)

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 2609-06
Scope and Contents note

Newsletter produced by the Traffic Engineering Division reporting accident statistics as well as related news items. Later issues are yearly and titled "Traffic Accident Summary."

Dates: 1955-1996

Engineering Department Videotapes

 Series
Identifier: 2613-10
Scope and Contents note

Videotapes of Engineering Department projects and events, and training films. Includes tape transfers made of historical film footage taken from as early as the 1910s.

Dates: 1986-1995

West Seattle Freeway Records

 Series
Identifier: 2614-02
Scope and Contents note

Correspondence and reports on the West Seattle Freeway. Material covers condemnations, landscaping, construction and roadway maintenance. Arranged alphabetically by type.

Dates: 1971-1976