Research the archive
Narrow 25,724 newspaper stories by words, years, place, newspaper and subject. See when and where they ran, then download what you find.
Put a phrase in quotes ("rent strike") or leave a word out with a minus (strike -baseball). Old scans misspell names, so when little is found, near-spellings are offered.
Refine
Show the numbers
| Year | Stories |
|---|---|
| 1854 | 11 |
| 1858 | 4 |
| 1859 | 6 |
| 1860 | 5 |
| 1861 | 27 |
| 1862 | 19 |
| 1863 | 9 |
| 1864 | 2 |
| 1865 | 3 |
| 1871 | 3 |
| 1872 | 43 |
| 1876 | 159 |
| 1877 | 146 |
| 1878 | 97 |
| 1879 | 12 |
| 1880 | 29 |
| 1882 | 19 |
| 1883 | 94 |
| 1884 | 95 |
| 1885 | 159 |
| 1886 | 74 |
| 1887 | 81 |
| 1888 | 81 |
| 1889 | 217 |
| 1890 | 36 |
| 1891 | 159 |
| 1892 | 373 |
| 1893 | 337 |
| 1894 | 349 |
| 1895 | 307 |
| 1897 | 3 |
| 1898 | 20 |
| 1899 | 83 |
| 1900 | 11 |
| 1902 | 9 |
| 1903 | 164 |
| 1904 | 152 |
| 1905 | 18 |
| 1907 | 5 |
| 1908 | 42 |
| 1909 | 187 |
| 1910 | 38 |
| 1911 | 35 |
| 1912 | 16 |
| 1914 | 28 |
| 1915 | 44 |
| 1916 | 81 |
| 1917 | 37 |
| 1918 | 5 |
| 1923 | 11 |
| 1924 | 22 |
| 1925 | 14 |
| 1928 | 3 |
| 1929 | 2 |
3,986 stories matching public
- Prosecutor Bans Minors From Public Dances
Public dances face strict age enforcement under state law, citing moral concerns.
- The Battle for Moltke Street
A legal dispute over a public right-of-way reveals early tensions between private property development and public access to Lake Union.
- The Ethics of Prohibition and the 'Beastly' Public
An editorial critique of a prohibitionist’s sermon that labels the common public as cowardly and corrupt.
- The Fight for Tacoma’s Public Market
A citizen letter protests the impending removal of market booths, accusing city officials of prioritizing developer interests over public access.
- City Engineer Fired Amidst Political Pressure
A storm of public indignation follows the board of public works' decision to remove the city engineer at the behest of shadowy political 'wreckers.'
- The Public Caught in the Meat Strike's Crossfire
As packinghouse workers and beef trusts battle for profit and wages, the Tacoma Times laments the rising cost of living for everyday families.
- Seattle’s Cultural Desert: A Plea for a Theater
An 1877 editorial laments that while Seattle citizens invest heavily in private homes, the city remains 'negligent and tardy' in providing a decent venue for public performance.
- The Scandal of the Masquerade
A local Catholic publication condemns the 'burlesque' of religious habits at public costume parties, threatening to publicly name and shame attendees.
- The Pulpit vs. The Parochial School
A Seattle minister takes the stage to denounce Catholic education and demand the defense of the secular public school system.
- The Battle Over Public Health
A heated public dispute erupts between the Seattle Board of Health and the City Council’s Auditing Committee over the costs of a recent smallpox outbreak.
- Public Backlash Grows Against Utility Monopoly
Tacoma residents are rallying against a proposed power franchise that would grant the Tacoma Railway & Power Company control over city resources.
- The Newspaper Feud of 1877
A Snohomish editor accuses a local county official of petty corruption and personal vendettas, exposing the raw tensions of early frontier governance.
- A Home for Books Above the Liquor Store
After years of neglect, the Seattle Public Library relocates to a more central, if modest, home on Front Street—sparking a debate over the city's duty to provide spaces for 'public culture' over saloons.
- The Streetcar Strike Was Only the Beginning
After forcing the Stone-Webster corporation to yield, Everett’s organized labor sets its sights on public control of utilities.
- The Hypocrisy of the Anti-Chinese Movement
An editorial rebuke to Seattle businessmen who exploited anti-Chinese fervor for public clout while quietly retaining their labor, amid rising local tensions.
- The Myth of the Innocent Third Party
A scathing editorial from the Labor Journal challenges the public's indifference to the suffering of steel and textile workers.
- The Mayor vs. The Board
Mayor J.T. Ronald rejects a city ordinance, clashing with the Board of Public Works over who controls the schedule of the city's executive branch.
- The Price of Printing: A 19th Century Fight Against 'Cheap John' Contracting
An editorial from the 1873 Seattle Dispatch excoriates the municipal habit of awarding city printing contracts to the lowest bidder, arguing it degrades the press and serves only the interests of 'ward demagogues.'
- The Case Against the Contractor
A labor editorial argues that public works projects should be managed by the city directly, not by private contractors who cut corners and inflate costs.
- Seattle's Public Library Gets New Quarters
After operating out of the Occidental block, the city’s growing collection finds a new home in the Collins building.
- Councilman Defends His Record Amidst Public Outcry
James Stewart strikes back at political rivals, refuting corruption accusations and defending his push for transparent city salaries in the face of local scandal.
- The Socialist Block and the City Council Tax Fight
Everett’s labor paper evaluates the performance of socialist councilmen during a critical corporate tax debate.
- The Mayor’s War on the 'Ring': A Candidate’s Plea for Clean Government in 1879 Seattle
Bernard Cossen runs for mayor not for power, but to stop wealthy landowners from hoarding public funds and blocking civic progress.
- The Crumbling Tenement on Second and Main
A concerned citizen demands the city inspect a dangerous building teeming with residents and home to a rowdy saloon.
- The Carcass Complaint
A public health warning issued regarding the improper disposal of dead animals in public roads.