File:First Avenue, Seattle, circa 1915 (5545331248).jpg

English: Unlabeled and undated, this photo was taken from the Lowman Building on First and Cherry, Seattle, Washington in 1915. We're looking north.

The clock on the right gives us an early bound. That clock belonged to Burnett Bros Jewelers, who opened here in 1906. We saw this clock a few years earlier recently (note the horses). We're looking at post-1906.

In that other photo, you can see the clock of L. W. Suter on the left. It's missing here. Suter was here from 1905 to 1912. So, it's after 1906, and also after 1912.

We could have arrived at that date another way - The Right Hotel opened up in 1912 in the Sullivan Block.

A comparison of signs on the buildings shows a complete match with this 1915 photo at the UW archives. Strangely, when I zoom waaay in on that photo, I can see the shop of a jeweler next to the Postal Telegraph store front on the corner. Strange, because there is no jeweler in the city directory at this address after Suter.

What's also confusing is that Burnett Brothers moved in 1912. Their new location had a new clock... so did they leave this behind? Or was it removed at the same time, and our photo really is 1912?

From about 1905 to 1915 there was a dramatic change in business signage on buildings. I'm hoping to track down the change in sign laws to help date this photo.

NOTE: From a set of public domain images collected by Rob Ketcherside. He applied a CC license on Flickr because Flickr does not offer a PD option. Description is mainly his.