Before its print demise in 2009, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer was one of the state’s oldest, most-read and influential newspapers. Fans of the legendary newspaper, as well as history buffs and genealogists, will be excited to know that the P-I is among the latest titles the Library of Congress is loading to Chronicling America.

Originally established as the Seattle Gazette in 1863, the P-I  is perhaps Seattle’s oldest continually operating business. Early issues of the Daily Intelligencer (1876-1881) and the Seattle Daily Post-Intelligencer (1881-1888) comprise the digital collection from June 1876 through December 1900. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer gives eye-witness accounts of Washingtonians during the Yukon Gold Rush, proclamation of statehood (note the image above), Spanish American war, World War I and so much more news and events across the great Pacific Northwest. An essay of significant events and influence on local and state communities summarizes the importance of publications included in the program.

The Washington State Library is nearing completion of the National Digital Newspaper Program, digitizing more than 300,000 pages of historic newspapers for the third and final grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and Library of Congress.  More than 30 states and territories are participating in the project, contributing over 8 million pages of newspaper content since 2005. Historic state newspapers can be searched by keyword, date and title to view on the Chronicling America website.  These newspapers, all in the public domain (pre-1923), are free for public use. Teaching resources are also available here. Educators, historians, genealogists, students and other members of the public will want to click on “NDNP Extras” for their primary research, history presentations, and educational projects.