Rainier Valley Historical Society

The Rainier Valley Historical Society collects, preserves, exhibits, and interprets the history and heritage of Rainier Valley and its people, and promotes public involvement in and appreciation of its history and culture.

The Historical Society maintains an extensive archival collection of over 1,500 photographs of historic Rainier Valley, as well as newspaper clippings, maps, letters, artifacts, and documents depicting the Valley's development since 1853. The Historical Society is a wonderful resource for educators, historians, students, and anyone interested in the heritage of the Rainier Valley.

The images selected and scanned for this Web site present a visual history of small town life and urbanization of the Valley from 1885 through the present, including the streetcars and other transportation which forged its development and its schools, sports, and local businesses and industries.

Browse images in Rainier Valley Historical Society collection