This photo looks north on First Avenue from Yesler Way and shows Pioneer Square when it was a vital part of Seattle's commercial life. The buildings seen across the square include, left to right: the Lowman Building, the Lowman and Hanford Building, the Howard Building, and the Pioneer Building. The Hoge Building towers over them on Second Avenue.

Signs in image: Hotel Norman - Entrance 89 Yesler Way - Rooms 25 Cents to 50 Cents. The Hub - Regal [...] Clothes. Dentists. The Right Hotel - Rates 50 Cents to $1.50. Good Eats, Right Prices - Cafeteria and Dairy Lunch - Otto [H. Wolf?] Prop. United Cigar Store Co. Albert Hansen. Lowman & Hanford Co. - Booksellers and Stationers - Printers, Engravers, Binders - Loose Leaf Systems - Cameras and Photographic Supplies - Desks and Filing Cabinets. Howard. New York Dental Parlors. Dr. J.P. Sweeney. Joint [Deeds?] [...] Husband and Wife [...] - Lawyers.
Handwritten on sleeve: Pioneer Square.
Webster & Stevens number: 23094