Pioneer Square

Pioneer Square is Seattle’s second oldest neighborhood; here the city itself took root. The first white settlers in the area landed in what is now West Seattle, across the water at Alki Point in 1851. After a miserable exposed winter, most of the settlers moved, on the advice of Chief Seattle, a Duwamish tribal leader, and began their new settlement on the more sheltered shores of Elliot Bay, in the area that is now Pioneer Square.

Many of the buildings in Pioneer Square date back to the 1890’s. Very little of Seattle’s earlier architecture survived the fire of 1889. The civic leaders of the day took advantage of the fire to raise the streets in Pioneer Square, solving a long standing drainage problem. To get a glimpse of old Seattle take the Underground Tour. Famous for it’s slightly ribald humor, the tour is a Seattle institution itself, dating back to 1972.

Pioneer Square was also shaped by the Yukon Gold Rush of 1897. Seattle successfully sold itself as the gateway to Alaska, and the best place to outfit a gold mining expedition. The merchants thrived, and so did the city. Pioneer Park, created at the triangle where Yestler Way and James St come together at 1st Avenue gained a stolen Alaskan Totem Pole in 1899, (now replaced by one honestly acquired) and the elaborate iron Pergola framed comfort station in 1909, just in time for Seattle’s first World’s Fair, The Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exhibition. Yestler Way is actually the nation’s original skid row. Named for the way logs were rolled down the hill to the wharf for transport, the expression took on connotations of poverty and vice when hordes of unemployed men camped in the area during the depression.

The area underwent a revival in the late 70’s and early 80’s when historic preservation became a priority in Seattle. Pioneer Square was the city’s first designated historic district and it’s vitality and survival remain a priority today.

Pioneer Square's historic district of Seattle offers a wealth of art galleries, bookstores, antique shops, cool restaurants, and buzzing nightclubs within easy walking (or free bus) distance of most downtown Seattle hotels. 
The cobblestone streets and horse-drawn carriages are a reminder of life a century ago.   

Pioneer Square is Seattle's oldest neighborhood, adjacent to the new, massive sports stadiums for the Seattle Mariners and Seattle Seahawks.  The classic red brick buildings give a warmth to the area not found in most sprawling US suburbias.  The term "skid row" originated in Pioneer Square-- when timber would be slid down Yesler to a steam powered mill on the Seattle waterfront. 

Pioneer Square is the busiest after dark, when dancing, live music, and spicy food shake up the City.  The area's shopping is particularly good for used or classic books and antiques.  You should check out the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park-- a museum telling the story of the gold rush days of the Yukon miners.