In the 1880s, Seattle was a lawless and often free-booting town. While it boasted newspapers and telephones, lynch law often prevailed (at least four people were lynched in 1882), schools barely operated, and indoor plumbing was a novelty. Because most of the city was built on low mudflats, sewage was almost as likely to flow into the city on the tide as it was to flow away. The streets were potholed to the point where at least one person drowned. As Seattle developed in the mid-1880s, streetcars, and cable cars were introduced, ferry service, the YMCA gymnasium, the Rainier Club, and new residences were required to have sewer lines attached. The city also began to develop a road system.
The history of labor in the American West during this period cannot be separated from the issue of anti-Chinese vigilantism. Chinese laborers were instrumental in digging the Montlake Cut to connect Lake Union’s Portage Bay to Lake Washington’s Union Bay in 1883. Anti-Chinese riots marred the period, which resulted in the expulsion of nearly 200 Chinese residents in 1885–86.
There was a devastating fire in 1889 that destroyed the entire business district, destroying some 30 square blocks of brick and wood buildings and the city’s railroad terminals.
Below are some stunning historical photos that show what Seattle looked like in the 1880s. Also, check Seattle in the 1870s and 1890s.
#1 Academy of the Holy Names, 1885
#2 1st Ave. from Columbia St. showing the Union Block, 1888
#3 Fire of June 6, 1889, looking south on 1st Ave. from Spring St., about one-half hour after the fire started, Seattle, Washington.
#4 Men standing to large logs on railway cars, Seattle, 1889
#5 Dexter Horton Building ruins following the Great Fire, June 1889
#6 2nd Ave., looking south from about Pine St., Seattle, 1884
#7 AfAtermath of the Seattle fire of June 6, 1889, ooking Lnorth on 1st Ave. S. from Jackson St.June, 1889
#8 Aftermath of Seattle fire of June 6, from Railroad Ave. to the east.June, 1889
#9 1st Ave. looking northwest from Yesler Way, 1887
#10 1st Ave. near Mercer Street, 1888
#11 2nd Avenue from Cherry Street after the Seattle fire of June 1889
#12 2nd Avenue in Seattle after the fire of June 6, 1889
#13 Central School, Madison St. between 6th Ave. and 7th Avenue, 1885
#14 Arlington House, September 1883
#15 Bell’s Hotel, 1884
#16 Businesses at 2nd Ave. & Columbia St., aftermath of the Seattle Fire of June 6, 1889
#17 Businesses in temporary buildings on 3rd Ave., looking south from James Street, aftermath of the Seattle Fire of June 6, 1889
#18 Calkins Hotel, Mercer Island, Washington, approximately 1889.
#19 Corner of 2nd Avenue and Cherry Street showing tent city built after Great Fire, Seattle, June 1889
#20 Crawford and Hannon offices, 1889
#21 Crowd of people and horses waiting at a wharf beside a docked ship, Seattle, 1889
#22 David R. Judkins’ studio, Second and Columbia Streets, Seattle, 1888
#23 East side of 1st Ave. between S. Main Street and Yesler Way, 1882
#24 Fire of June 6, 1889 looking south along 1st Ave. from Spring St. showing the beginning of the fire
#25 Fire of June 6, 1889 showing goods piled on the dock near the Seattle, Lakeshore & Eastern Railway Depot as smoke from the fire fills the background
#26 First Washington Regiment Armory, 1888
#27 Four loggers posed next to downed tree, 1889
#28 Logging operation showing a log chute, 1889
#29 Front St. (1st Ave.) looking north from Yesler Way, 1884
#30 George Braas sketching on rock at the Snoqualmie Falls, Washington, 1889
#31 Lough residence at 3417 Wallingford Avenue, 1889
People identified in photograph: (in window) Mrs. (Anderson) Lough; (from left of right) Jake Lough, John Eillis, Arthur Ellis, Tom Lough, Eddie Ellis, Zelda Lough Ellis (Mrs. Jake Ellis), George W. Lough, Sarah Melissa Taylor (Mrs. George W. Lough), Birdie Blair (Murphy), Charlie Noyse.
#32 Lowman and Hanford Stationery and Printing Co. store, 1885
#33 Man on a horse in front of a large log, Wshington, 1889
#34 McNaught mansion occupied by the Rainier Club, southeast corner of 4th Ave. and Spring Street, Seattle, 1889
#35 Men and women in a sailboat shooting guns, 1889
#36 Men and women on an outing on the beach, possibly south of Alki Point, Seattle, 1889.
#37 Men on log in chute filled with water, 1889
#38 Men, oxen, and logs at the Clothier & English’s Logging camp, 1889
#39 Northwest corner of N.E. 45th St. and University Way N.E., 1888
#40 Occidental Hotel between James St. and Yesler Way, 1885
#41 Occidental Hotel, 1884
#42 Occidental Hotel, 1887
#43 Office tent of Eschelmen, Llewellyn & Co. in the ruins of the Seattle fire of June 1889
#44 Pike Street and 2nd Avenue, 1884
#45 Pioneer Building in Occidental Square, Seattle, 1889
#46 Post Intelligencer newspaper office, June 1889
#47 Roche Harbor in the San Juan Islands, Washington, 1889
#48 Ruins of Yesler-Leary Building, aftermath of the Seattle Fire of June 6, 1889
#49 Seattle Daily Press newspaper staff and equipment housed in temporary tent after the fire of June 6, 1889, Seattle.
#50 Seattle Hardware Co. in temporary quarters at 2nd Avemie and Pike Street after the fire of June 6, 1889
#51 Seattle Sale and Feed Stables, corner of 4th Ave. and Jackson Street 1889
#52 Seneca St. and 4th Ave., looking southeast, 1887
#53 Side-wheeler olympian moored at Seattle waterfront, 1888
#54 South School, 1889
#55 Southern Restaurant after the Seattle fire of June 6, 1889
#56 Washington National Guard in front of the old Armory Building, June 17, 1889
#57 Yesler Way, looking east from First Ave., Seattle, 1889
#58 Yesler-Leary Building, probably 1883
#59 Standard Theatre, 1885
#60 Standard Theatre, 1885
#61 Start of the fire of June 6, 1889, looking south on 1st Ave. near Madison St.
#62 Steamer Victoria, 1889
#63 Train station, 1888
#64 Two Puget Sound Indians, a man and a woman, standing in a hop field, unidentified farm, 1889
#65 Unidentified sailing vessel at coal dock, 1889
#66 View of Snoqualmie River, with Mt. “Uncle Si” in distance, 1889
#67 View over Lake Washington and Leschi Park, Seattle, 1889
#68 Kellogg’s Drugstore and Pinkham’s Variety Store at 1st Avenue and Yesler Way, 1885
#69 Fire at 1st Ave. and Madison Street, June 6, 1889
#70 Fire at southwest corner of 1st Ave. and Madison St., June 5, 1889
#71 First cable car near the end of the Yesler Way line at Lake Washington, 1888
#72 First Presbyterian Church at 3rd Ave. and Madison Street, 1889
This photograph shows left to right: First Presbyterian Church, Third and Madison, Residence of Amos Miller, Residence of M.B.V. Stacey, First Methodist [Episcopal] Church, Third and Marion. The First Presbyterian Church, pictured here, was the first structure erected for the congregation, built in 1877, with the first services in the building held on the first Sunday of July of that year; Rev. Theodore Crown then minister. Church Moved in 1893 to 4th and Spring, and again in 1907 to the present site at Seventh and Spring. Amos Miller site now part of a combined business structure. Stacey home now stands on top of a one story brick block, being used for a French restaurant. This First Methodist Church building erected in 1887, was an outgrowth of the city's first church, known as the "Little White Church" built at 2nd and Columbia, in the early 50's. The property at Third and Marion was sold in 1907 and the congregation established-in a new church at 5th and Marion still in use.
#73 First street car at S. Occidental Ave. and Yesler Way, September 20, 1884
#74 Garfield Memorial Service at Occidental Hotel, September 26, 1881
#75 Guy Phinney house, 1889
#76 Henry Yesler House, 1886.
#77 James St. and Yesler Way, 1880
Intersection of James Street and Mill Street [Yesler Way] at Front Street [1st Ave.]. 1. Occidental Hotel. 2. Vanity Fair beer hall. 3. Frack grocery store. 4. Mackintosh and Reeves Bank. 5. Gem Saloon. 6. Gardner Kellogg drug store. 7. Daily Post building. 8. Trees of which first three were used for lynching of January 1882. Daily Post building (1st three trees used for lynching January 18, 1882). Left side: Occidental Hotel. Vanity Fair Saloon. Frach grocery store. Mackintosh and Reeves Bank. Gem Saloon (Charlie Anderson, proprietor). Drug Store (Gard. Kellogg)"
#78 James Street and Yesler Way., 1880
#79 Johnson home at 5th Ave. and Seneca Street, 1884
#80 King County Courthouse interior, 1885
#81 King County Courthouse, 1886
#82 Military parade at Second Ave and Columbia Street, 1886
#83 Native American camp on Ballast Island, 1880
#84 Native American camp on Ballast Island, 1880
#85 Opening day of Central School, May 7, 1883
#86 Oregon Improvement Company, 1885
#87 Our Lady of Good Help church, 1883
#88 Parade for Henry Villard’s visit, September 14, 1883
#89 Peiser’s Art Studio, 1884
#90 Poncin Building, 1888
#91 Post Building, 1887
#92 Post-Intelligencer Office at 4th Ave. and Columbia Street, June 6, 1889
#93 President Garfield Memorial Service at Occidental Hotel, September 26, 1881
#94 Providence Hospital, 1889
Providence Hospital was established in Seattle 1877 by the Sisters of Charity, first established under contract in the old county hospital, or building which passed as such, located on the Duwamish river in what later became Georgetown. In 1878 they bought the block at 5th and Madison on which the building shown in this foot was erected. The first section built is shown as being the little left-hand corner. Next came the center section in 1882 and a few years later the first section, completing the structure as shown. This foot was evidently taken in 1889 or 1890, before the Madison Street cable line was placed in operation in 1890. The last and present Providence Hospital, at 17th and Jefferson Street, was built in 1911 and the old property sold. In recent years the government took over this original hospital block and now have erected a magnificent Federal Court house building on the site.
#95 Reconstruction at 2nd Ave. and Spring Street following fire, June 1889
#96 Reconstruction near 2nd Ave. and James Street, June 1889
#97 Reconstruction near 2nd Ave. and Madison Street, June 1889
#98 Reconstruction near 2nd Ave. and Yesler Way, June 1889
#99 Ruins at 2nd Ave. and Columbia Street following the Great Fire, June 1889
#100 Ruins of the Occidental Hotel, June 1889
#101 Seattle waterfront north from S. Washington Street, 1887
#102 Squire’s Opera House, 1880
#103 Temporary buildings at 2nd Ave. and James St. following fire, June 1889
#104 Temporary buildings at 3rd Ave. and James St. following fire, June 1889
#105 Temporary tents at 2nd Ave. and Marion St. following fire, June 1889
#106 Temporary tents erected after fire near 2nd Ave. and Columbia Street, July 1889
#107 Territorial University decorated for Henry Villard visit, September 14, 1883
#108 View from 2nd Ave. and Virginia Street, 1882
#109 View east from 1st Ave. and Cherry Street, 1880
#110 View from Beacon Hill, 1881
#111 View NE from 1st Ave. S. and S. Main Street, 1880
#112 View north from 1st Ave. and Cherry Street,1880
#113 View north from 1st Ave. and Madison Street, 1885
#114 View north from Central School, 1883
#115 View north on 1st Ave. from Cherry Street, July 4, 1888
#116 View of fire ruins from 2nd Ave. and Columbia Street, June 1889
#117 View of reconstruction following fire from 7th Ave. and Terrace Street, July 1889
#118 View of temporary tents erected after fire from 2nd Ave. and James Street, June 1889
#119 View SE from 4th Ave. and Seneca Street, 1883
#120 View SE from 4th Ave. and Seneca Street, 1886
#121 View south from 2nd Ave. and James St. towards tents erected after fire, July 1889
#122 View south from 5th Ave. and Pine Street, 1887
#123 Villard Day parade at 3rd Ave. and University Street, September 16, 1883
Logging oxen in the Villard Day parade on Third Avenue in front of triumphal arch. The parade was in honor of Henry Villard, president of Northern Pacific Railway, who visited Seattle to mark the completion of the transcontinental railroad. Terrence O'Brien standing in charge of teams. Angus Mackintosh house right of arch, Dexter Horton house next. Territorial University building on knoll.
#124 Waterfront between Madison St. and Columbia Street, 1887
#125 Western Mill, 1888
#126 Yesler House at 1st Ave. and James Street, 1883
#127 Yesler Way looking east, June 5, 1889
#128 Yesler-Leary Block, 1887
#129 Yesler’s wharf, 1887
#130 Yesler’s wharf, 1885
#131 Charles Plummer’s House, 1885
#132 Class of Fremont School, 1889
#133 Class of South Park School, 1888
#134 Columbia and Puget Sound Railroad Depot and Machine Shop, 1880
#135 Denny School, September 1884
#136 Felker House, 1880
#137 Barbeque enclosure for Henry Villard’s visit, September 12, 1883
#138 Belltown business district, 1885
#139 Belltown School, 1880
#140 Buildings and railroad trestle at South Lake Union, 1880
#141 Burns House at 2nd Ave. and Pike Street, 1884
#142 Central School and students, 1884
#143 Central School faculty on opening day, May 7, 1883
#144 Central School, ca. 1880
Seattle Schools. Central School. 3rd and Madison. Built 1870; closed 1883. Sold and moved to Front (1st Ave.) and Virginia, 1884. Operated as a rooming house, Central Rooms, until demolished June 23, 1911. Exterior. Frame. Three-quarter view of back from left side. Close-up.
#145 Central School, 1887
#146 1st Ave. and Yesler Way decorations for Henry Villard visit, September 14, 1883
#147 1st Ave. between Cherry and Columbia St., 1880
Streets. Front Street 1880. East side from Cherry to Columbia." On verso: 1. Elephant Store. 2 Reinig Block. 3. C. P. Stone block--Stone's grocery. L. P. Smith & Sons, jewelers. M. D. ease, milliner. Upstairs, Charles Moore, photographer. J. S. Grasse, dentist. 4. F. W. Wald, hardware. 5. Hendrick's plumbing shop. Caption mounted under photo - 61. East side of the same street at the same time from Cherry to Columbia. Several handwritten (illegible) names.
#148 1st Ave. north from Spring St, 1885
#149 1st Ave. S. north from S. Main Street, 1880
Commercial Street [1st Ave. S.]. 1880. Looking North from Main Street. 1. New England house. 2. Z. C. Miles store. 3. Squire's Opera House and Hotel Brunswick. Commercial Street. Right side: Brunswick Hotel and Squire's Opera House. Pinkham's clothing store. Frauenthal Block. Z. C. Miles. Left side: New England Hotel. First person to right is John Burns.
#150 1st Ave. S. south from Yesler Way, 1885
Marshall Block large Building to Right. Dexter Horton to right of Marshall's, Harrington and Smith adjoining, Sam Kenny's tailor shop next and Keith's barber shop adjoining. Left--Kelly's drugstore, Smith's butcher shop, Saddle Rock restaurant, John Sullivan's notions store. Domed roof Squire's Opera House.
#151 3rd Ave. and Jefferson St. after the fire, July 1889
#152 Arlington Hotel at 1st Ave. S. and S. Main Street, 1883
Hotels. Arlington House. Commercial Street [1st Ave. S.] and Main Street. Built 1876, destroyed by fire June 6, 1889. 1883? 1. Jake Levy." The same photograph appears in the University of Washington digital collections where it is noted the building is decorated for the visit of North Pacific Railroad president, Henry Villard.
I would recommend Paul Dorpat’s excellent Seattle: Now and Then books.