<p>The New England House, a hotel, stood on Commercial Street in the heart of downtown Seattle. During the early 1880s, most of its residents were single men who worked in the downtown area. When U.S. President Benjamin Harrison arrived at nearby Yesler's Wharf by steamship in May 1891, the hotel was hung with evergreen swags and cloth bunting.
In this photo, crowds wait for President Harrison on Commercial Street, at the New England House. Commercial Street is now called First Avenue South.</p>
<p>Original copy negative.
Original photograph: May 6, 1891. Copied after 1902 by Webster &amp; Stevens</p>
<ul><li>Subjects (LCTGM): Crowds; Hotels; New England House (Seattle, Wash." Presidents; Visits of state</li>
<li>People: Harrison, Benjamin, 1833-1901--Public appearances</li></ul><hr><p>There is no way this could be from 1891, as these are all pre-fire buildings. No president visited Seattle between Rutherford B. Hayes' visit in 1880 and Benjamin Harrison in 1891 and most of the large brick buildings in this photo were built after 1881, the new Yesler Block in the distance was completed in 1888.
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Adam Lyon if MOHAI says in correspondence 2022-06-28, "Since the photo was taken after the Yesler block was built but before the great fire, our best guess is that the photo was taken on the 4th of July 1888 but we can't confirm that."
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Unknown author<span style="display: none;">Unknown author</span></div>
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