Pioneer David Denny owned the land south of Lake Union. In 1882, he opened the Western Mill on the lake's southern shore. A small community soon grew up around the lumber mill. In 1899 John S. Brace and Frank Hergert, both previously employed at the Western Mill, purchased it and changed the name to Brace & Hergert. A fire destroyed the mill in 1909 and it was then rebuilt on newly filled land north of Valley Street, as shown in this photograph. The mill continued under the ownership of Brace and Hergert until 1921.

Typed on verso: Western Mil[l] started by D.T. Denny, operating in 1909. S. end Lk. Union.

• Subjects (LCTGM): Mills--Washington (State)--Seattle; Lumber industry--Washington (State)--Seattle; Smokestacks--Washington (State)--Seattle; Lakes & ponds--Washington (State)--Seattle