Nowadays, people think of Seattle as a tech center fueled by Microsoft and Amazon. Yet, this thriving city is one built on manual labor, economic booms and busts and a little bit of luck.

The Founding

Seattle is founded on November 13, 1851 by 12 adults and 12 kids from Illinois. Their leader is Arthur Denny, who brings the group to the place now known as Alki Point. They originally name their town New York-Alki – alki meaning “by-and-by” in Chinook – setting their standards and aspirations high. They soon move east to what is now known as the Pioneer Square Historic District for access to Elliot Bay. David S. “Doc” Maynard renames the city Seattle after Sealth, the chief of the local Duwamish and Suquamish tribes. Partnership with the original Native American inhabitants is short-lived. Once Seattle gets its start, the 1855 Point Elliott Treaty claims much of the land for the U.S. government, which causes a brief period of fighting, called the “Battle of Seattle,” the next year.

Original Industries

Henry Yesler, one of the original founders of Seattle along with Denny and Maynard, is granted a small strip of land between their two properties. He opens the first Seattle business, a highly successful sawmill, in 1853, which jumpstarts industry in the area. Much of the lumber is shipped southward to San Francisco and elsewhere in the Puget Sound. His sawmill also gives rise to the popular term “skid row.” The shipping and coal industries grow alongside the lumber industry in the upcoming decades. In 1861, the Washington Territorial University – the precursor to the University of Washington – is founded.

The Railroad

The transcontinental Northern Pacific Railroad bypasses Seattle as their end stop in favor of Tacoma in 1883, but the Emerald City soon has their day in the sun. A connection to Seattle is added shortly thereafter, ushering in a population boom. Years later, the Great Northern, Union Pacific and Milwaukee Road also connect to Seattle, making it easier for travelers to head westward and for Seattle to establish itself as a center of shipping and trade.

The Fire

In 1889, tragedy strikes the city when a local carpenter’s business catches fire. The blaze quickly spreads throughout the mostly wooden Seattle, completely decimating 33 blocks. Fortunately, no lives are lost. The fire proves to be both a blessing and a curse. Seattleites rebuild a second city on top of the first using brick and metal while keeping surviving businesses operating. Seattle remains a two-tiered city until the arrival of the bubonic plague in 1907, when the lower level is closed and condemned. Tourists can still visit this historic portion of the city on the popular Underground Tour.

The Gold Rush

After a period of economic depression in the early 1890s, Seattle rebounds with the gold rush. While news of gold circulates throughout the Puget Sound for a few years, the headline “GOLD! GOLD! GOLD! GOLD!” doesn’t hit the presses until the SS Portland arrives in 1897 filled to the brim with the precious metal. The country is immediately seized by gold fever, and Americans from all over travel west to Seattle so they can set off on an expedition to the Klondike. The lust for gold is so great that even the Seattle mayor quits to become a prospector. Ultimately, many leave the Klondike empty-handed. Of the estimated 70,000 prospectors who participated, only 300 found any significant amount of gold, and even fewer held onto their riches. Still, the fad helped Seattle grow as local business owners made money transporting prospectors and selling them supplies.

A World Fair

It isn’t until years later in 1962 that Seattle holds the World’s Fair and builds many of the attractions now considered an integral part of Seattle culture and tourism, such as the:

• Space Needle
• Pacific Science Center
• Monorail, and
• Seattle Center

The event reaffirms Seattle’s identity as a center of industry and also marks the point of population stabilization for the next 50 years or so. Here is how the city grew leading up to the World’s Fair:

Honda of Seattle

In 1986, Honda of Seattle became a part of Seattle’s history. We contribute to the community by supporting local causes and helping residents find their perfect vehicles. We also embrace Seattle’s penchant for tech by allowing our customers to shop for cars using our online Express Store. No need to come into the dealership – simply choose your car, method of payment and pickup or delivery time. If you’re a Seattle area resident who’s looking for a new ride, stop by Honda of Seattle or call us at 206-382-8800 to get started today! Sources: https://www.seattle.gov/cityarchives/seattle-facts/brief-history-of-seattle https://www.visitseattle.org/press/press-kit/seattle-history/ http://old.seattletimes.com/news/local/seattle_history/articles/timeline.html https://www.nps.gov/klse/learn/historyculture/index.htm https://www.history.com/topics/us-states/washington/videos/seattles-grungy-underground