Seattle's downtown before the Great Fire, Seattle, 1883

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Image of Seattle's downtown before the Great Fire, Seattle, 1883 — SHS470

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Seattle's downtown before the Great Fire, Seattle, 1883

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n the 1880s, Seattle's business district was near Pioneer Square. Loggers, miners, and others came to this part of the city to find work, supplies, and entertainment. Others came to Seattle to attend the Territorial University, which stood on a hill above the city.

This photo, taken around 1884, shows the intersection of Commercial Street (now First Avenue South) and Main Street looking north towards Mill Street (now Yesler Way). The University of the Territory of Washington is in the center distance.

Signs in image: New England House. Miner's Supplies Kinds. Beer Hall. Puget Sound [D...]. Stoves & Tinware. Clothing. San Francisco Store.

Caption on mount: Peterson & Bro., Photographers, Seattle, Wash'g Ter.

Handwritten on verso: Com'l St looking north from old New England hotel at Main St., 1883.
Typed on verso of duplicate image: First South: Seattle in 1879 [sic]. Site of Chinese Riot in 1886. Commercial & Main Streets. Left - News England Hotel; Right - Squire Opera House & Hotel.

SHS category: Streets

ID Number: SHS470

Date: 1880

Creator(s): Peterson & Bro., Photographer

Credit: MOHAI, SHS470

Subjects: Washington Territory, European American Settlement