Historical Gallery

Explore Toledo across time. Use the shortcuts below to jump to a period.

Late 1800s Early 1900s Present Day

Late 1800s

Founding-era photos and artifacts from the 1800s.

Steamboat Toledo docked, circa 1890
Steamboat Toledo (circa 1890) β€” Docked with crew and workers visible. Credit: GTHH Archive
Steamboat Toledo with passengers, late 1800s
Steamboat Toledo (Late 1800s) β€” Carrying passengers along the Cowlitz River. Credit: GTHH Archive

Early-to-Mid 1900s

Images from the 1900s era β€” industry, daily life, and the steamboat years.

Horse and rider in the Cowlitz River at Toledo, 1912
Cowlitz River at Toledo (1912) β€” View of the river with the bridge in the background. Credit: GTHH Archive
Advertisement for St. Helens Incubator Company, Toledo, Washington, 1903
St. Helens Incubator Company (1903) β€” Local manufacturing advertisement. Credit: GTHH Archive
2nd Street in Toledo looking south, 1908
Second Street, Toledo (1908) β€” Looking south toward the river. Credit: GTHH Archive
Downtown Toledo, date unknown
Downtown Toledo β€” View of downtown with storefronts and cars parked along the street. Credit: GTHH Archive

Present Day

Contemporary views of Toledo landmarks, community events, and riverfront scenes.

Current streetscape in downtown Toledo
Old Town core (2025) β€” Current streetscape looking north from Cowlitz St. Credit: GTHH
Cowlitz Riverfront trail and bank
Cowlitz riverfront β€” Summer view along the bank. Credit: GTHH
Volunteers at a community event in Toledo
Community event β€” Volunteers at an outdoor gathering. Credit: GTHH

We’ve created a tribute to the Steamboat Toledo β€” the city’s namesake and a proud part of our river history.

Steamboat Toledo: Full History & Poem β†’