Before the opening of Seattle's Pike Place Market in 1907, farmers sold their fruit and vegetables to the customer through brokers or other middlemen. Much of this wholesale produce trade took place in the so-called Commission District, in the area of Railroad and Western Avenues and Columbia and Marion Streets. Once the wholesalers took their commissions, customers paid more and farmers received only a percentage of the price.

In this photo, taken around 1905, grocery wagons fill Marion Street in Seattle's Commission District. Western Avenue crosses in the center, near the utility pole. Railroad cars on Railroad Avenue block the view of the West Seattle Ferry dock. The original glass negative broke at some point, and the lower right corner of the image is missing.

Webster & Stevens number: 3302