Pioneer Square

The southwest corner of Downtown Seattle holds a hidden gem— Pioneer Square, once the heart of the city center. As one of the original settlements of Seattle’s founders, Pioneer Square offers a look inside the history of Seattle. Today, it is one of the most popular areas of town to visit for its art galleries, cafes and nightclubs, bookstores, and parks.

About Pioneer Square

The small triangular plaza in Pioneer Square was originally called Pioneer Place, and that’s how the neighborhood got its name. While the area has ambiguous borders, like much of Seattle, Yesler Way remains the main street of the community, and visitors here can find remnants of Seattle’s fascinating early history.

Visiting Pioneer Square

Whether you’re interested in learning about Seattle’s history or simply looking for a unique place to spend an afternoon, you’ll find it in Pioneer Square. Self-guided walking tours are available along Yesler’s Way, and every first Thursday of the month, an art walk takes place in the square that features the city’s largest concentration of art galleries.

History

Originally the home of the Coast Salish people, Pioneer Square was settled by founders of Seattle in 1852. Henry Yesler chose to build his lumber mill at the site, and Yesler Way—formerly called Mill Street—is named after him.

By the late 1880s, Seattle’s population had grown to 40,000 residents, making it the largest city in the state. In 1889, the Great Seattle Fire swept through the city, burning the area of Pioneer Square to the ground. The city rallied to quickly rebuild the Square, and examples of the Romanesque Revival and Victorian architecture from the time can still be seen today.

While Pioneer Square has a storied past as “Skid Row”, with parlor houses and corruption, it has become one of the best historical attractions in Seattle. The 1960s brought an effort for urban renewal to the area, and by the 1970s, the historic buildings of Pioneer Square were protected as a City Preservation District and a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.

Interesting Facts

Modern-day Pioneer Square is a fascinating place to visit when touring Seattle, both for the current shops and attractions, as well as the historical sites throughout the neighborhood. With a history that runs from the days of the Gold Rush through the Great Seattle Fire to a full restoration effort, Pioneer Square is a must-see Seattle community.

• The Klondike Gold Rush of the late 1890s made Seattle, and Pioneer Square, the center for traveling to the goldfields of Alaska.
• Following the Great Seattle Fire, buildings in Pioneer Square were built above the old neighborhood to solve drainage issues—resulting in much of the original area being buried and many buildings being built with both a lower and upper entrance.
• A Tlingit totem pole was stolen and placed in Pioneer Place Park in 1899 by a group of businessmen, and it was destroyed by arson in 1938. The remaining pieces were returned to the Native Tlingit people by the city following the fire.
• The Pioneer Square Fire Festival is one of the most anticipated yearly events. Occurring on the weekend closest to June 6th since 1989, activities include a parade, displays of antique fire equipment, and firefighting demonstrations.
• The Fallen Firefighter Memorial was dedicated at Pioneer Square during the Fire Festival of 1998, and all fallen Seattle firefighters have their name inscribed on the memorial.

Points of Interest

With historic buildings, Tlingit art, and the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, all ages will find excitement and adventure when visiting Pioneer Square. Offering a unique glimpse into one of the most fascinating and historic sites in Washington, touring the Square is a walk back through time that you won’t want to miss.