English:

Seattle's first skyscraper gleams in the sunlight. The 42-story building's steel framework is clad in Washington granite on the first and second floors and white terra cotta on the remaining floors. This finish has proven quite resistant to city grime and received its only professional cleaning in 1976. The Seattle rain helps keep it clean.

Caption on image (obscured): Asahel Curtis. Caption on border: Asahel Curtis, Commercial Photographer, 625 Colman Block, Seattle. Handwritten on mount: LC Smith Bldg from Prefontaine Place, built 1912 [sic]. Caption by MOHAI staff.

• Subjects (LCTGM): Skyscrapers--Washington (State)--Seattle; Office buildings--Washington (State)--Seattle; Business districts--Washington (State)--Seattle; Smith Tower (Seattle, Wash.)

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Note: This image is likely from 1916 or later because the City-County Building (King County Courthouse) appears complete. That building was visibly under construction throughout 1915.