Native American group on beach, circa 1885 (MOHAI 16176)

By the late 19th century, most Seattle-area Native Americans had been moved to reservations and were not allowed to live in the city. Sometime before 1895, visiting Native American people started camping on Ballast Island, at the foot of Washington Street. After 1895, waterfront development forced the encampment away from here.
In this photo, taken during the 1880s, Native Americans camp at the beach in Seattle. This camp was probably located north of downtown Seattle, near the western end of Bell Street.
Handwritten on mount: An [sic] beach at Bell Town. Clam Diggers
Subjects (LCTGM): Indigenous peoples--Washington (State)--Seattle; Tents--Washington (State)--Seattle; Waterfronts--Washington (State)--Seattle