Seattle Underground

Seattle Underground is actually what used to be the first floor of buildings. The storefronts and sidewalks found under Pioneer Square and downtown Seattle are intricately linked to Seattle’s history of poor public planning. Poor plumbing, greedy politicians and the Great Fire of 1889 led to the rebuilding of the city streets, higher than the original buildings. In an effort to make the city more safe and travelable, and after horses and drunk men fell from the ladders up to the risen streets, the sidewalks were also raised, effectively making the first level of all the buildings the basement. The underground has storefronts and sidewalk, skylights and a lot of Seattle History. 

 

If you are ever in Seattle, WA check out the Seattle Underground tour! And for those who can’t make the trip, check out Sons of the Profits, the book by Bill Speidel upon which the tour is based.