A City at Work: Images from the Seattle Municipal Archives Photo Collection

Electrification: Introduction

From its beginning, Seattle City Light dedicated itself to increasing demand for electricity. City Light offered customers the latest selection of electrical appliances, for either sale or lease, from their network of stores. The utility also promoted the use of electricity through advertising and educational campaigns, and employed hundreds to maintain its networks and provide service to retail customers. Seattle City Light continues to educate its customers, now emphasizing conservation and the wise use of electricity.

Masonry Dam [Three men and small engine on track, sign: "The Municipal Light and Power Plant of Seattle, America's Best Lighted City, 40 miles"], 1914. [Item No: 155]

The Photograph Collection includes more than 3,600 photos viewable in the Photograph Collection Index that feature Seattle City Light employee, retail, or advertising activities. The Archives possesses thousands more City Light negatives, slides, and prints, most taken after 1950, that can be searched and viewed by visiting the Seattle Municipal Archives.

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