Seattle Underground

A walk through the historic city center, under the streets of Seattle

Category Incredible Ruins, Subterranean Sites

Shops, bars, and hotels from Seattle's earliest years lay abandoned below the city streets in the Pioneer Park neighborhood.

In 1889, a fire raged through the fledgling city, razing much of the wood buildings in the business district. The blaze was widely attributed to a careless worker heating glue over a gas fire, catching the furnishings and floor on fire in a cabinetry shop. Founded on riches from the logging industry, most of the original city was built of wood and little survived the flames that destroyed 25 blocks.

In the wake of the fire new building ordinances required building from stone and brick, and in the process of rebuilding the decision was made to raise the city streets out of the swampy grounds. Retaining walls were added along side of the streets, and filled to make new roads. Shops and businesses that had already rebuilt found the first and sometimes second stories of their buildings facing a concrete wall, the new street several feet above. Eventually, new sidewalks were added at street height, and the underground largely forgotten.

In the 1950's Seattle local Bill Speidel began a campaign to save the neglected Pioneer Square area, largely on the strength of the story of the underground city. He began giving guided tours in 1965.

Visitors can join a guided walking tour beneath Seattle’s sidewalks and streets. Exploring the subterranean passages that once were the main roadways and first-floor storefronts of old downtown Seattle. The guides relay stories of the city's colorful and sordid past. The tours walk through three blocks of the underground, including an old saloon, shopfronts, and a hotel.

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  • Hours Times vary. Details: http://www.undergroundtour.com/about/index.html
  • Website Bill Speidel
  • Address 608 1st Avenue, Seattle, Washington, 98104, United States
  • Cost Adults (18-59): $15 Seniors (60+ years): $12 Students (13-17 yrs or w/valid college ID): $12 Children ( ages 7-12): $7 Kids under 6 may find the 90 minute tour challenging.
Sources
Map/Directions

Go to Google Maps

608 First Ave, in Seattle’s Pioneer Square, between Cherry Street and Yesler Way. From the south: From I-5, take the Dearborn/James St. exit (164A). Take the James St. exit. Turn left onto James St. Turn slight right onto Yesler Way. Turn right onto 1st Ave. From the north: From I-5, take exit 165A toward James St. Stay straight to go onto 6th Ave. Turn right onto Columbia St. Keep left at the fork to go on 1st Ave. From the east: From I-90 W., take the I-5 N exit, exit 2C, toward Vancouver B.C. Take the James St. exit. Turn slight right onto Yesler Way, Turn right onto 1st Ave.

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Comments

  • Bibliomanticore& Bibliomanticore July 22, 2009
    Actually called 'The Night Stalker' and it was a fun watch. The Seattle Underground is also home to two occult publishers; Ars Obscura Bookbinding and Ouroboros Press.
  • & Anonymous July 21, 2009
    The Seattle Underground plays an important role the ABC TV movie, "The Night Strangler."

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