A section of the Olympic Block building at the corner of First Avenue and Yesler Streets in Pioneer Square collapsed in a cloud of dust and rubble on the night of March 22, 1972. The building was being renovated at the time. Two people who were inside escaped unharmed, but a nearby car was destroyed and another damaged. Owners of a wax museum planned for the ground floor originally hoped to continue their work. For two years numerous attempts were made to save the building, part of which dated back to 1874. The Olympic Block was finally demolished in 1974.

In this image, pedestrians walk across Pioneer Square near the Olympic Block building, which is continuing to collapse. The Pioneer Square Pergola and totem pole can also be seen.

Caption information source: The Seattle Times: March 23, 1972, p. 4; March 26, 1972, p. 115; and April 1, 1974, p. 5.