Much of Seattle was built on land reclaimed from Elliott Bay and the mouth of the Duwamish River. Muddy tide flats once extended all the way to the foot of Beacon Hill. Roads and railroad tracks were built over the flats on wooden trestles. Regrades in the early 20th century flattened Seattle’s hills and also provided more material for reclaimed land.

This image was taken on the north end of Beacon Hill around 1882. The land in the foreground is now part of the Chinatown International District. The center of the image shows the waterfront and the area that would become Pioneer Square. Denny Hill, now Belltown, can be seen on the right. Magnolia is visible in the right background.